L&G launches cancer support toolkit to help managers support employees with confidence 

L&G has expanded its workplace cancer support offering with the launch of a new HR and Line Manager Toolkit, designed to help employers better support employees affected by cancer throughout diagnosis, treatment, recovery and return to work. 

Developed in partnership with specialist cancer care provider, Perci Health, the digital resource is now available to employers with L&G group protection products and aims to address what the company describes as a lack of confidence among managers when supporting colleagues with serious illness. 

The launch follows the publication of Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working report, which highlighted a “culture of fear” among employers that can discourage early conversations about health, delaying support and making it more difficult for employees to remain in or return to work. 

The toolkit provides HR teams and line managers with practical guidance tailored to different workplace scenarios, whether an employee is living with cancer themselves or caring for someone who is. 

Features include access to video appointments with Cancer Nurse Specialists and HR experts, workplace training resources, case studies, guidance on sensitive conversations, return-to-work support, policy development tools and ready-made materials for cancer awareness campaigns throughout the year. 

The resource complements the employee wellbeing services already available through L&G’s Spark platform, which includes cancer risk assessments, cancer nurse support, an employee assistance programme, virtual GP services and online physiotherapy. 

Morgan Fitzsimons, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Perci Health, said supporting people to remain in work after a cancer diagnosis is important for both wellbeing and recovery. 

“Research shows that 87 per cent of people employed when diagnosed with cancer said it was important to continue working after their diagnosis. The feeling of normality that comes from work, when everything else in life is far from normal, cannot be overstated. 

“But all too often, the conversations that matter – with HR and Line Managers – aren’t happening; not because employers don’t care, rather because they’re afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing. It’s for all these reasons, that we’ve designed and launched this toolkit in partnership with L&G.” 

Vanessa Sallows, Claims and Clinical Development Director – Group Protection at L&G, said improving manager confidence is becoming increasingly important, particularly for smaller employers where people management responsibilities often sit alongside other roles. 

“Improving HR and Line Manager confidence and capability are vital in supporting better employee outcomes. Not least because in many smaller companies, the role of HR is being taken on by a manager, alongside their day job. 

“Regardless of whether an organisation has dedicated HR support though, this can be a complex area. It’s important to note that cancer is a protected condition under the Equality Act 2010. Therefore, employers must consider reasonable adjustments. Understanding what is reasonable will differ for every individual. In other words, the access to clinical expertise – and associated practical guidance – afforded by our new toolkit, is likely to prove invaluable for employers of all shapes and sizes.” 

The announcement reflects a wider shift in workplace health towards equipping managers with the knowledge and confidence to support employees experiencing long-term health conditions. As employers continue to focus on reducing health-related economic inactivity and improving workforce retention, manager capability is increasingly recognised as a critical factor in enabling earlier intervention, effective workplace adjustments and successful returns to work.