Employee workplace support

There are a lot of moving pieces right now, and some of them will pull in different directions. The aim isn’t to get it exactly right. It’s to find something that feels workable for you, at this point in time.

What should I think about when deciding whether to work?
It can help to gently check in with a few things:

• Treatment and your schedule: How might appointments, fatigue, or side effects affect your day-to-day routine?
• Your job demands: What does your role ask of you, physically and mentally? How does that feel right now?
• Getting there: Is commuting comfortable, or does it feel like another hurdle on top of everything else?
• Your energy: What feels realistic in terms of hours or workload — now, or when you return?
• Life outside of work: You’re still you, with a home, family, responsibilities. What’s already taking your energy, and what might need to shift or be shared for a while?

What are the upsides and downsides of working right now?
There isn’t a simple answer here.

• You might find work gives you routine, connection, or a sense of normal life.
• Or it might feel like too much — physically, emotionally, or both.

There can also be financial considerations, which can add another layer of pressure. It’s okay to weigh all of this honestly. What feels like a benefit one week might feel different the next.

How does work fit into who I am?
For some people, work is closely tied to identity; it’s part of how you make sense of yourself. For others, it matters less. There’s no right way to feel. But it can help to notice what work represents for you: purpose, independence, stability, and how important those feel right now.

What if parts of my job feel too hard?
That’s really common. Instead of thinking about your whole job at once, it can help to break it down. Are there specific tasks that feel difficult? Could anything be adjusted — lighter duties, different hours, working from home, or extra support?

What if my workplace can be flexible?
Flexibility can make a big difference. Things like reduced hours, time off for treatment, or changing responsibilities can help make work more manageable. It’s worth exploring what might be possible, even temporarily.

What if I still don’t know what to do?
That’s okay too. You don’t have to have it all figured out. This is something you can come back to, adjust, and change as you go.

Right now, you’re carrying a lot: appointments, decisions, the weight of it all. If work is part of your life, it gets to be shaped around you, not the other way around. Open communication with your employer is key.

You may choose one of the following options at work:

• Continue working as usual
• Reduce hours or responsibilities
• Work flexibly or from home
• Take leave during treatment
• Combine work and treatment in a phased way

These choices are not fixed and may change over time.

Find out more about flexible work:
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Many people feel pressure to keep working at the same pace as before a diagnosis, but cancer changes capacity gradually.

Treatment effects can build with each cycle. Fatigue, cognitive changes, and emotional load may start manageable, then slowly increase over time.

This can feel like capacity “creeps down” unexpectedly, until work becomes harder to sustain. This is common and not a personal failing.

It helps not to wait until burnout to make changes.

Adjusting hours or taking time out earlier can protect wellbeing and keep more options open.

Capacity is often temporary and may shift again during or after treatment.

Keeping communication open with your employer helps them understand where you are at, rather than leaving them in the dark, so they can respond in a more supportive and informed way.

When talking to your employer:

• Share only what feels necessary
• Focus on what support you need now
• Keep communication simple, clear, and open
• Ask about flexibility and adjustments early

You might say:
“I’d like to talk about how we can make work manageable during treatment/post-treatment.”

Find out more about flexible work:
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People don’t always know how to respond. Some may be very supportive, while others may feel unsure or say the wrong thing.

It can help to:

• Keep things simple and clear
• Set boundaries around what you want to share
• Let people know how you’d like to be supported

You might remind your team:

• You’re still part of the workplace
• You’ll share updates if and when you want to
• You value normal interaction as well as support

Know your legal and workplace rights:

• Sick leave and leave options may apply depending on eligibility
• Flexible working arrangements can be requested
• Employers must act in good faith
• Discrimination based on health status is not permitted
• You are not required to disclose your diagnosis unless requesting support or adjustments

Find out more about sick leave:

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Find out more about resolving problems:

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If you have existing insurance policies, it’s worth checking them early. Speaking with your insurer or broker can help you understand what you may be eligible for and what support is available.

Depending on what you already have in place, some policies may help cover treatment costs or provide financial support if you need to reduce or stop working.

Common types include:

• Health or medical insurance: May cover private tests, treatment, or faster access to care
• Trauma or critical illness insurance: A one-off payment after diagnosis, which you can use however you need
• Income protection or mortgage insurance: Regular payments if you’re unable to work for a period
• Life insurance (terminal illness benefit): May allow early access to a payout in certain circumstances

Things to be aware of:

• Pre-existing conditions are usually not covered
• Waiting periods may apply before you can claim
• Some policies include cover for treatments not publicly funded

If you’re unsure, your insurer or broker can walk you through your options.

Everyone has the right to be treated fairly at work, regardless of their health status. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s worth paying attention to.

If you feel comfortable, start by raising it early with your manager or HR. Sometimes issues come from misunderstanding or lack of awareness, and a conversation can help clarify what’s happening and what support is needed.

If the situation doesn’t improve, or you don’t feel safe raising it internally, you can seek independent advice. There are organisations in New Zealand that can help you understand your rights, talk through your options, and support next steps.

Find out more about resolving problems:

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Find out more about your options:

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Find out more about your rights:

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Returning to work after cancer is a transition, not a single moment. You may be stepping back into familiar work, changing roles, or still deciding what feels possible for you now.

Work may feel different after treatment, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too. Taking time to adjust is expected.

Find out more about working during cancer:
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When deciding to return, you might notice:

• You feel physically improved, but not yet confident
• Your energy is still rebuilding in unpredictable ways
• You want routine again, but aren’t sure about capacity
• Work feels both comforting and overwhelming at the same time

There is no right timing. A return can be gradual and adjusted as you go.

Many people return in stages rather than all at once.

This may include:

• Starting with reduced hours or lighter duties
• Trial periods to see what is manageable
• Gradually increasing workload over time
• Adjusting expectations as energy settles

A flexible return often supports longer-term sustainability.

It is common for work to feel different after treatment, even if the role hasn’t changed.

You may notice:

• Slower thinking or reduced concentration
• Needing more rest than before
• Feeling emotionally different about work or pressure
• A shift in priorities or what feels important

This does not mean you cannot return successfully. It means adjustment is part of the process.

Some people return and realise their previous role no longer fits their capacity or priorities.

You might explore:

• A different type of role
• Reduced responsibility or hours
• Retraining or new pathways
• Taking more time before deciding

These changes are often part of rebuilding life after treatment, not stepping backwards.

Returning to work can bring unexpected emotions, even when you feel physically ready.

You may experience:

• Anxiety about performance or expectations
• Loss of confidence after time away
• Pressure to “prove” you are back to normal
• Feeling different from your colleagues or routine

Support can help you process this transition if it feels heavy or uncertain.

For some people, returning to work immediately after treatment is not realistic.

You may need:

• More recovery time
• Financial or income support
• Help planning next steps
• Space to reassess work options later

Find out more about financial support options:
Financial support options

You do not need to navigate this transition alone.

Support can come from:

• Healthcare teams
• Workplace supports (if you have them e.g. Employee Assistance Programme)
• Financial guidance services
• Whānau and trusted networks

Reaching out early can help reduce pressure and clarify options.