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The boss of Publicis Arthur Sadoun, who spoke publicly about his cancer last April, has just presented at the Davos Economic Forum a platform on which companies “will be able to present their commitments to their employees with cancer”. With the objective of breaking this taboo still very present in the world of work.
It was last March that Arthur Sadoun, then 50 years old, learned that he had throat cancer caused by a papillomavirus. Rather than hiding it, he chooses to talk about it publicly and announces the news to his employees. This is how he publishes a very personal video for the 96,000 employees of the world’s third-largest communications group.
Free speech on cancer
He reflects on this experience at the Davos Economic Forum, which is being held at the moment. Arthur Sadoun has indeed presented a platform called Workin with cancer, intended for companies that will be able to “explain their commitments to their employees with cancer”. An initiative adopted by about thirty groups such as Carrefour, La Poste or Sodexo to get things moving because at present, he recalls “that one in two employees is afraid” to discuss his illness with his employer. “Some fear that their development will be stopped, others even have surgery while on vacation.” believes the husband of Anne Sophie Lapix. Before recalling the obvious.When you fight for your life, you should never have to worry about your job“.
To change the mentalities
“Cancer is still taboo in the workplace” confirms Sandra Doucène, director of the Cancer contribution association, which fights against cancer and its impact on society. “Yet work takes an important part in the life of an individual: it represents a source of income, of course, but it is also synonymous with social ties and self-confidence. she explains. “Whereas in the business world, cancer is still too often synonymous with absenteeism, with a less efficient person on their return, despite medical progress”.
“Cancer and Employment Charter”
However, companies are making efforts and some initiatives already exist. “There is the cancer and employment charter of the InCa, the National Cancer Institute, whose purpose is to train and inform companies about the disease” indicates Sandra Doucène. “As part of a policy involving corporate social responsibility (CSR) things can be put in place” she adds, “this is mentioned on the company’s website, very often“.
What to do if you are a victim of cancer?
Sandra Doucène advises people who are victims of cancer who do not dare to talk about it in their workplace to turn to occupational medicine, which can be of great help in obtaining advice and being able to speak under the guise of medical secrecy.
It also recommends discussing with human resources, depending on the company’s CSR policy and the possible methods of stopping and resuming work.
Finally, she recommends discussing with the colleagues you are closest to in order to define a framework for discussion. “VSar some people are hurt to see that the colleagues they felt close to do not hear from them and do not want to return to their jobs after their treatments. It is essential to communicate whether or not you want to maintain the link with the company during your absence” she concludes.