Return to work after cancer - referrals

This section tells you how to manage people ‘in-house’ and when and how to refer them onto other services.

Early intervention by employers is essential as it significantly increases the chances of people off sick returning to work.

Managing individuals in-house

Your workplace may have access to an occupational health advisor or occupational health service. They can help in supporting the return to work process.

OSH practitioners may also be able to provide help in relation to risk managing any hazardous exposures in the workplace.

Outside help

• Fit for work in England and Wales 
• Fit for work Scotland  
• Macmillan Cancer Support in the workplace videos   
• Support for employers, managers and organisations   

Specific cancer and other support organisations

• Macmillan Cancer Support
• Cancer Research UK  
• Bowel Cancer UK  
• Breast Cancer Care  
• Prostate Cancer UK  
• British Lung Foundation  
• Lymphoedema Support Network  

Professional associations

• British Occupational Hygiene Society  
• Case Management Society UK  
• Commercial Occupational Health Providers Association 
• Faculty of Occupational Medicine 
• The Society of Occupational Medicine 
• Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors  
• Institution of Occupational Safety and Health  

Further information is available on IOSH's Occupational cancer toolkit.

The content for this toolkit was produced as part of the IOSH-funded research undertaken by the Institute of Occupational Medicine, Loughborough University and Affinity Health at work.