We have created a range of tools and resources that make suggestions of ways that employers may choose to support employees during cancer treatment related hair loss.
5 Top Tips to supporting your employees
- Communication at the right time is key – Your employee will be given a cancer treatment plan by their oncology team. They won’t know if their treatment might cause hair loss until they have this plan. With this in mind, in a private and appropriate setting you may like to say “we have access to the Cancer Hair Care Workplace resources. If you do know that you might have hair loss, we can connect you to these guides and support you here at work.”
- Be aware of your personal view – Before talking to your employee or colleague, take some time to think about your own personal thoughts about hair loss. How would you react? What might you do to cover hair loss; such as wearing a wig to work, headwear or being hair free (bald). Once you have thought about your own opinion you can be mindful of this when talking to your employee. This is because your personal view and their view may differ. Remember to listen to your employee and encourage their personal views rather than impose yours.
- Different strokes for different folks – Everyone’s hair is unique to them. How people react to hair loss is an individual situation that can change throughout their treatment. Some people are emotionally impacted by hair loss and others are not.
- Respect your employees privacy – Your employee may have an open conversation with you about hair loss but they may not want this information shared with colleagues. Have a conversation with your employee to seek their wishes. This may change as your employee adapts to their circumstances. You may need to arrange a check in about this to see if their views have changed.
- Be sensitive and aware of how other staff members react – When people change their hairstyle such as wearing a wig, or wearing headwear when they wouldn’t usually or choosing to be hair free (bald), this can mean that colleagues start to talk about this person and ask questions. Be very sensitive and private about what you know. Talk to your employee about how they plan to manage any questions about their change in image.
‘Supporting Employees with Cancer & Hair Loss’
LIVE – online session
Date: Wednesday 9th October 2024
Time: 12-1pm
Live: Online Zoom course
Cost:
FREE – Send me a fundraising pack
£20 – Profits donated to charity Cancer Hair Care
A lunchtime Workplace event by the UK’s leading Cancer Hair Care specialist and charity founder, Jasmin. During a 1 hour LIVE Zoom session, you will discover how to cultivate a welcoming workplace for employees facing hair loss due to cancer treatment. What’s more, this event is a fundraiser for charity donating all profits to Cancer Hair Care.
Key highlights of the course include
- Certificate
- Understanding what your employee is facing with workplace hair loss
- Practical adjustments in the workplace
- Understanding you employer legal responsibilities and best practice
- Supporting cancer recovery and workplace wellness
- Supporting transitions such as wearing a wig at work or being hair free
- Helpful hair loss links and resources for you and your employee
The course suggests practical and informative ways you can support your employee or colleagues in relation to hair loss as a result of cancer treatment. In partnership with charity Cancer Hair Care and Holistic Hair Care Expert.
Who is the course for?
This course is for you if you are a manager, team leader, an HR professional, an employer or workplace wellness ambassador.
You might also be a very kind colleague wanting to support a co-worker.
For more information or to book click here.
Further resources
Gain an understanding of what your employee is facing by reading through the relevant employee guides
Workplace Inspiration & Images
Discover how Cancer Hair Care can support your employees
Join an event (by paying for a place you will be directly donating to this project)
Please see our Workplace Events page for up and coming courses and events to educate, inform and inspire.
Use our sign up form to express an interest in this project, fundraise, sponsor, attend events and lots more.
More resources for employers can be found here
More resources for employees can be found here
Content created: 27.02.24 next planned review in 2025