Do you know your rights to work after a cancer diagnosis and with ongoing menopause symptoms?

From navigating time off, to returning to work, to managing menopause symptoms in the workplace, it can feel overwhelming to know what your rights are and what support you should expect.

I’m joined by Barbara Wilson, from Working With Cancer, who brings over 50 years of experience supporting people through cancer at work.

Together, we break this down in a really practical way— so you can feel more informed and more confident in advocating for yourself.

In this episode, we cover:

• Whether cancer is automatically considered a disability under UK law
• Your rights when returning to work after treatment
• What a good return-to-work plan should actually look like
• What “reasonable adjustments” mean — and real-life examples
• What counts as discrimination in this context
• How much do you need to disclose about your diagnosis (including when applying for a job)
• Whether menopause is recognised as a disability under UK law
• How treatment-induced menopause after cancer is considered in the workplace
• Whether employers are expected to support menopause symptoms

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction

06:31 Supporting employees with cancer

08:07 Discussing cancer diagnoses and menopause

13:38 Creating flexible workplace plans

15:29 Discussing cancer disclosure at work

20:23 Discussing return to work planning

22:00 Discussing phased return to work

28:48 Supporting employees with health challenges

31:22 Menopause and post-cancer life changes

37:16 Flexible work schedule adjustments

43:07 Reevaluating work after cancer diagnosis

44:39 Easing back into work

47:52 Disclosing cancer to an employer

Link to Working with Cancer: https://workingwithcancer.co.uk/

Connect with us:

For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org

Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer

Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub