Cancer’s Crushing Economic Toll on Young Workers

The news that thousands of Sydney cancer patients are pushed out of work each year serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact this disease has on young people’s careers and livelihoods. The economic losses are staggering, with over $240 million in lost wages annually, accompanied by reduced tax revenue and increased demand for social security payments.

Elizabeth Funa’s story is a heart-wrenching example of how cancer can derail someone’s life plans at a critical juncture. Diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 19, she had to abandon her studies and give up her dual role as a personal trainer and membership officer at a gym. Even if she had been offered more flexibility in her job, Funa believes it would have made all the difference.

An estimated 3,000 people in NSW are forced out of the workforce each year due to cancer. This number is likely to increase as rates of cancer survival improve and more young people are diagnosed with the disease. Incidence rates for Australians in their 30s and 40s have risen by a staggering 11.6% since 2000.

The lack of support systems for cancer patients in NSW is alarming. Unlike Victoria and Queensland, where employers can access subsidies for hiring jobseekers from disadvantaged groups, including those recovering from illness, there is no dedicated policy to help patients keep their jobs during treatment or return to work afterwards. This creates a perfect storm of economic hardship for these individuals and their families.

A targeted wage-subsidy scheme could provide a sensible solution to this problem. By incentivizing employers to retain the employee-employer relationship throughout cancer treatment, such a scheme would alleviate financial stress and reduce welfare reliance in the long term. It could also pay for itself through reduced social security payments and increased tax revenue.

The NSW government has promised to review the report’s findings and recommendations alongside Commonwealth counterparts, but words need to be backed up by concrete actions. The federal government’s parliamentary review of the Fair Work Act is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done. Policymakers must take action to address the systemic failures that are pushing cancer patients out of work.

As Funa has shown, it’s not just about providing support for cancer patients – it’s also about changing attitudes and creating a culture that values flexibility and compassion in the workplace. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all employees, regardless of their health status.

The economic costs of cancer are undeniable, but they pale in comparison to the human toll. It’s time to prioritize the well-being of young workers struggling with this disease and provide them with the support they need to stay in the workforce.