"Support should never be something people stumble across by chance or discover halfway along. It should be visible, clear, and present from the beginning, ready for anyone who chooses to lean on it"
- Katherine Moxham - GRiD
New research for GRiD, the industry body for the group risk sector, shows that 56% of employers are worried about serious ill-health, including cancer, affecting their workforce.
Concerns are mirrored among employees, with 25% of over-60s and 15% of the wider working population reporting worries about serious illnesses such as cancer.
Cancer impacts a significant portion of the workforce, either directly or indirectly, such as through caring responsibilities, yet its effects are often hidden. While some employees must inform their employer due to treatment, absence, or workplace adjustments, others may choose to keep a diagnosis private. This means many employers do not have a full picture of how cancer affects their staff, making visible and accessible support crucial.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD (pictured), said: “Cancer remains one of the most significant health challenges facing today’s workforce, yet for many employers its true impact is still only partially visible. This research highlights the scale of concern and the opportunity for employers to do more to ensure every individual feels supported and able to access the help they need.”
There are several ways employers can provide meaningful cancer support. This includes prevention and education, access to treatment, second medical opinions, specialist oncologists, lifestyle guidance such as fitness and nutrition, and financial assistance, from diagnosis through ongoing care. Support should be comprehensive, visible, and easy to access, especially for those managing cancer quietly.
Employer-funded group risk benefits, including group life assurance, group critical illness, and group income protection, can deliver physical, mental, financial, and practical support for employees experiencing cancer. These benefits are often included as standard at no additional cost.
While cancer accounts for the largest share of claims across all three benefits, GRiD notes that support could be better utilised if employers and staff were more aware of the full range of resources available. Collaboration between employers and advisers is essential to ensure understanding at both board and staff levels.
Moxham added: “Cancer touches each person in their own way. Some need support at the very start, some partway through, some after treatment ends, and some from the first moment to the last. Support should never be something people stumble across by chance or discover halfway along. It should be visible, clear, and present from the beginning, ready for anyone who chooses to lean on it.”
