Jacqui
The little evidence that is out there on stress and cancer says that cancer cannot be caused by
stress and that it is unlikely that it can cause a previous remission to reactivate. There is
evidence however to say that stress does have an effect on a persons quality of life and this may be
the driving factor here. If you take this string further then removing this man from his family at
weekends when there is maximum amount of family time then this would significantly affect his
quality of life. Although I am assuming he will still get 2 days off to spend with his family just
not at the weekend.
This is not really his employers responsibility as they can with consultation change his
contractual working requirements as the business evolves, as seems the case here. The straight
forward answer here is if he does not like the new shift pattern and his employer cannot accomodate
his wishes to remain on his previous pattern then he may well have to seek employment elsewhere. As
for his GP that is an opinion, which I would argue is biased in his patients favour and I would not
waste money or time asking the GP to clarify his opinion.
You can simply present to Human Resources/line management your own opinion after reviewing the man
and state that you do not agree with his GP's view, thus leaving HR and line management to do their
jobs.
The link below shows BACUP's view on stress causing cancer of any type.
www.cancerbackup.org.uk/QAs/597
Hope this helps
Cheers
Pete
Pete Judge
Occupational Health Adviser
Cardiff University
Heath Park Campus
4th Floor Denbigh House
UHW
02920 748955
>>> Jacqui Livock <[log in to unmask]> 03/04/2007 19:32 >>>
Hi
the distribution staff are undergoing major shift pattern changes over the
next few weeks as changes in business processes mean the business is going
to be more efficient and stock will be leaving the warehouses 7 days per
week.
a group of staff have always been employed on "5 of 7" contracts which
have traditionally been mon-fri and now the company want them to work
weekends.
as part of one young chaps consultation he has submitted a letter from his
doctor saying he has been previously treated for skin cancer and is in
remission and working on a weekend will significantly increase the risk of
his cancer recurring due to stress of not being with his family on a
weekend.
your opinions please (i know the DDA applies!)
i am on a time frame of 1 week too!
jacqui
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