Occupational health referrals for advice on cancer-related sickness absence

Work-related difficulties experienced by employees diagnosed with cancer are widely reported. However, there is limited reliable quantitative evidence that employers treat employees with such diagnoses differently from staff with other chronic disorders.

To assess delays to management referral for occupational health advice for employees on long-term sickness absence attributable to cancer, compared with other common causes of long-term health-related absence.

An audit of management delays to occupational health referral for all employees with a cancer diagnosis who subsequently applied for ill-health early retirement in a large UK public sector employer. Similar data were collected for two control groups, with musculoskeletal or psychological complaints, matched by age, sex, job title and pension scheme membership. Data were collected for the period 2004-07.

Twenty-three cases were identified. Referral to the occupational health services for cases with a cancer diagnosis was delayed on average by 187 days compared with cases with a psychological or musculoskeletal diagnosis (P < 0.001).

There is evidence that employers differ in their referral practices for employees with a cancer diagnosis, compared with those with other common disorders leading to long-term absence. This may represent a loss of opportunity for effective vocational rehabilitation or timely support for access to health-related benefits.