Cancer in the Workplace – Building Knowledge, Confidence and Culture

Leading college group Education Partnership North East (EPNE) recently hosted it’s second roundtable discussion focusing on supporting employees living with precancerous conditions or cancer.

Welcoming colleagues and partners from other further education colleges and Sunderland City Council, attendees included Northumbrian Water, Gentoo, Northern Cancer Alliance, Integrated Care Board and North East cancer charities to Sunderland College’s City Campus, The event, held at Sunderland College’s City Campus, built on the groundbreaking success of the first roundtable held in November last year.

This event was an opportunity to explore how employers can develop more inclusive and enabling workplaces which recognise the lifechanging impact on employees, from their diagnosis and throughout the cancer journey. Key messages echoed throughout the conversation was that every cancer journey is deeply personal and that support shouldn’t stop when treatment does.

Attendees talked openly about the importance of supporting line managers to have the right conversations at the right times,recognising that supporting a colleague through their journey can be challenging. Ensuring managers feel confident and supported themselves is essential. The discussion also reinforced that cancer support must extend beyond those directly impacted, to include carers who may be supporting a family member.

This roundtable represented an important step forward as the college group continue their journey to ensuring the right conversations are being held, with care and confidence, to support colleagues across EPNE.

Discussions focused on the emotional impact of a serious diagnosis, and the sense of anxiety, fear and loss that often manifests. Colleagues shared personal and professional insights into the life changing emotional, cognitive, physical, financial and employment challenges often faced by those affected, and the vital role employers play.

Organisations authentically shared their varying approaches to leading and transforming workplace culture and practice. The round table brough to the surface the different stages of employer progress and development across the Northeast, and as an outcome, participants commitment to action.

Ally Young, Executive Director of People and Organisational Development at EPNE, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to all the organisations who joined us either for a second time or for the first time for this important conversation. As employers, we have a clear responsibility to support those living with or affected by cancer in the workplace – with empathy, flexibility, and practical action.

“As a changemaking organisation, this roundtable marks the beginning of our ongoing commitment to improving workplace policy and practice within and beyond the boundaries of our own organisation. We look forward to continuing these vital discussions to build truly inclusive and compassionate working environments across the region.”

During the event, EPNE openly shared its Cancer Support Employee Handbook with participants to seek feedback and inspire other organisations, continuing to provide a strong foundation as both a practical guide and formal policy.

Offering straightforward guidance, emotional support, and useful resources all in one place, the handbook aims to be enabling and empowering, taking a more employee-led approach based on their needs.

One in three people will be affected by cancer, with the most significant rise in diagnoses seen among those aged 25 to 49 — a group that has experienced an increase of approximately 25%. These are people of working age who will have a reasonable expectation to return to work and continue to develop careers post-cancer, employers need to be alert to this figure and consider what it may mean for the workforces of the future.

EPNE recognises the real impact cancer can have on work and life. The Cancer Support Handbook is just one part of a wider commitment to creating a more inclusive, understanding, and supportive workplace for all.