1) It is typical for teachers to be discouraged to work during treatment despite periods of wellness. If I'm well enough to work, my employer should allow me to.
2) I'm entitled to Statutory Sick Pay as well as my salary (although, as I haven't seen my payslips since I've been off yet, don't know if I'm getting it at the moment or not).
3) My employer needs to make reasonable adjustments to my job to enable me to continue working when I'm ready to return (which may or may not mean I'll need to go part time, if I'm taking Tamoxifen (sic?) permanently).
4) Anyone with a cancer diagnosis at any point in their life has permanent disabled status, thus conferring extra employment rights (sounds nuts, but actually makes sense. To prevent employees missing out on promotions or being discriminated against when applying for new jobs because of the cancer).
5) I should get a phased return to work and need to have this specified in writing so there is no confusion about it.
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As well as the information, I also noticed what a sheer relief it was to be in a room with people that all had/have had cancer. Although I was wearing a scarf, it felt symbolically as if I'd chosen to take off my head covering and sit bald, with no judgement. In that room, a bald woman with cancer was normal; in the majority. It's been 4 months since I've felt normal in any way.
I also talked a bit to a woman wearing a HOT hat. Turned out she'd made it herself. To date (27.11.10) I've made 5.
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