Is My Job at Risk?

A cancer diagnosis is always tough to deal with, but especially if you are working or the sole breadwinner in your family.

It is important to understand your human rights and labour law.

It is also important for HR departments and employers to understand their role in supporting employees diagnosed with cancer.

What are Cancer Patients' Rights in the Workplace?

CANSA encourages employers, managers, HR teams, employees, and caregivers to recognise that cancer in the workplace is not only a health issue, but also a matter of fairness and practical support.

CANSA has created a guide for both employers and employees, to help workplaces respond to cancer with compassion, fairness, and respect for South African labour law and human rights principles.

Cancer does not remove a person’s right to be treated with dignity at work. Employees affected by cancer may be managing treatment side effects such as fatigue or are unable to attend work as required.  They experience fear, financial pressure and uncertainty about their future.

At the same time, employers may be unsure how to respond appropriately. This guide helps bridge that gap by offering practical guidance rooted in compassion, human rights and South African workplace realities.

Key Legal Frameworks Protecting Employees with Cancer

The guide highlights key legal frameworks that protect employees with cancer, including:

• the Constitution of South Africa
• the Employment Equity Act
• the Labour Relations Act
• the Basic Conditions of Employment Act

Consider Reasonable Adaption

It also explains that employers should consider reasonable adaption before taking steps towards incapacity hearings or dismissal.

A cancer diagnosis does not automatically mean an employee cannot work, and many people find purpose, routine and emotional benefit in continuing to work in some capacity during or after treatment.

Being Supportive

Being Discreet

CANSA encourages workplaces to manage disclosure and confidentiality with care.

Employees are not legally required to disclose a cancer diagnosis to colleagues, and medical information must be kept confidential, unless the employee consents to sharing it or disclosure is required by law

Emotional and Practical Support

The guide further provides practical advice on supporting employees with cancer, colleagues affected by a team member’s diagnosis and employees who are caregivers for loved ones with cancer.

CANSA supports patients living far away from treatment centres through its CANSA Care Homes, free Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) support for children and families and public hospital Information and Support Desks.

Services include free psychosocial support (Tele and Virtual Counselling in most SA languages / WhatsApp / FBK and face to face support groups); free clinical counselling by CANSA nurses to provide guidance on coping with side effects of cancer, cancer treatment, pain control, or stoma related queries and access to advocacy services.

Stoma supplies and support, medical equipment hire, natural hair wigs and breast prostheses, and online resource materials are also available.

Let’s work together to support those affected by cancer in the workplace!

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Did You Know?
Your donations enable free services, for example, CANSA Tele and Virtual counselling in most SA languages by trained counsellors, support groups (face-to-face; WhatsApp and FBK); guidance from our Clinical Nurses regarding coping with the side effects of cancer, cancer treatment, dietary tips, stoma care and pain management – enquire at info@cansa.org.za; our Advocacy department assists patients experiencing stock shortages, delays in screening and cancer treatment, and lack of access to appropriate pain management medications; transport to and from cancer treatment centres is provided to our cancer patients staying at CANSA Care Homes, who would otherwise live too far away to receive treatment. Children and teens with cancer and their parents / guardians stay at our CANSA TLC Lodges for free during treatment. Our two TLC wig banks for children / teens provide free wigs to those in need.