Press release 3 February 2025.
World Cancer Day: 4 February 2024
Twenty-seven percent of employers cite living with serious ill-health, including cancer, as a concern for their Baby-boomer staff, 23% of employers have the same concern for Gen X staff, 13% for Millennial employees, and 11% for their Gen Z workforce, according to new research1 conducted during January 2025 by GRiD and released today for World Cancer Day (4 February 2025).
The industry body for the group risk sector also found that this concern about serious ill-health including cancer, is echoed by 18% of all staff themselves (versus 12% in 2024), rising to 27% of those over 55 (also up from 19% in 2024)2. Indeed, this increasing concern is not unfounded, with the latest NHS figures showing that cancer diagnoses have reached a new record high level3.
Concerns of employees diagnosed with cancer and their employers
GRiD’s findings are corroborated by other research. Sadly, 71%4 of people working whilst having cancer said they felt their HR team wasn’t sufficiently prepared to help them through their health crisis, and 35% said they were left feeling isolated at work during their cancer experience. Research also shows that seven in ten (69%)5 employers are concerned about the potential financial impact cancer could have on organisational costs, and more than half (54%) have recently noticed an increase in employees affected by cancer within their workforce.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, said: “No matter how long an employee has had their worries or been going through tests, being given a formal cancer diagnosis is completely blindsiding. Therefore, employee cancer support needs to be both flexible and comprehensive to help the individual, and to also support their employer in helping staff, acting sensitively and making appropriate adjustments.”
What does cancer support look like?
Support for the condition itself may include access to specialist cancer care pathways, oncologists, second medical opinion services and virtual GPs, preparation for consultations and navigating the NHS. On diagnosis or if unable to work, support can provide a fiscal safety net to help people meet their financial commitments. Fast track access to mental health support is often also required, as a diagnosis can lead to depression or anxiety, and practical support should not be overlooked to help with changes in physical appearance or adjustments in the home.
All of the above support, which can be accessed via group risk benefits (employer-sponsored life assurance, income protection and critical illness) will help an employee manage their immediate situation and expedite a return to work if that is their desired pathway. Many advisers will also support HR departments and line managers to help their staff, as well as join the dots between the individual, the employer and the insurer.
Katharine Moxham said: “All employers need to ask themselves how they can best support a member of staff during a cancer diagnosis. With diagnoses at an all-time high and so many support options available, there is no reason not to be prepared.”
1 Employer research was undertaken by Opinium from 7-15 January 2025 among 500 HR decision-makers at UK businesses..
2. Employee research was undertaken by Opinium from 7-10 January 2025 among 1,250 employed adults, aged 18+.
3. https://www.england.nhs.uk/2024/10/nhs-diagnoses-thousands-more-cancers-as-cases-rise-by-5/
4. https://www.reframe.co.uk/resources/research-report-living-and-working-with-cancer
For further information please contact:
Ali Cort
SMUK Marketing and PR
Mob: 07887 484247
acort@smuk.org.uk
Katharine Moxham
Spokesperson for GRiD
Mob: 07887 512508
Katharine.moxham@grouprisk.org.uk
Notes for editors
About GRiD
Group Risk Development (GRiD) is the industry body for the group risk sector, promoting the value to UK businesses of providing financial protection for their staff, enhancing their well-being and improving employee engagement. Our membership includes insurers, reinsurers, intermediaries and those operating in (or with other interests in) the UK group risk market. Together this forms a collective wealth of experience built over many years. Under the chairmanship of Colin Fitzgerald (Distribution Director – Group Protection, L&G Retail) GRiD aims to promote group risk through a collective voice to Government, policymakers, stakeholders and employers.
GRiD works with government departments and regulators involved in legislation and regulation affecting group risk benefits, and with other organisations involved in the benefits and financial protection arenas. GRiD also seeks to enhance the industry’s standing by encouraging best practice and by participating in industry-wide initiatives such as the professional qualification in group risk managed jointly with the Chartered Insurance Institute.
GRiD’s media activity aims to generate a wider awareness and understanding of group risk products and their benefits for employers and employees.
GRiD’s dedicated spokesperson, Katharine Moxham, provides expert media comment on a full range of group risk issues.
Follow Katharine Moxham on Twitter @KMoxham