February 4th is World Cancer Day.

This is a great opportunity for businesses to improve their cancer support in the workplace.  With 1 in 2 people getting cancer, it’s inevitable that your workplace will have an employee who has either been diagnosed with cancer or is supporting someone on a cancer journey.

The cancer support needed is always dependant on individual needs, but there are 5 simple steps you can take to provide better cancer support in the workplace.

·      Have a cancer policy in place with details including,  who someone can talk to, what salary is available to cover sickness etc.

·      Join the #JGHRPledge, a free wellbeing initiative for any business of any size across the UK, to show your commitment to giving paid time off work for routine breast screenings. With over 55,000 women a year being diagnosed with breast cancer, there’s a high probability it will affect one of your employees.  Email me your logo julie@jghrsolutions.co.uk to join the pledge and received a digital certificate of participation - all for free.

·      Provide sanitary bins for men.  Prostate cancer and other conditions can mean that men need to wear sanitary pads, yet few workplaces provide suitable disposal facilities. Be a great employer and simply put a bin in your men’s toilet.

·      Engage with the professional cancer support services, Maggies, MacMillan, Tenovus etc. These great services offer free workplace advice.

·      Research if there are any cancer groups in your area. In South Wales, there’s a group called CHILL – Cancer Support in Local Lives. They meet on the first Saturday of every month at The Angel Inn, Mawdlam, CF33 4PG, 10am – 12pm. Anyone can just pop in.

These simple steps can make a huge difference.