FIRST

Establish great family and friends support. Make contact with other cancer patients and they will fill in a lot of the gaps for you. The Qantas Cancer Support Group can offer many resources to you.

 

Seek a second opinion, and make sure you have an advocate with you at all your medical appointments, because initially you only hear one in every ten words and they can take notes for you, this could be a close friend or a trusted family member.

Ask for an estimate of costs from your medical team so you can make financial plans, most Doctors are happy to tell you their fees.

 

 

MAKE CONTACT WITH YOUR MANAGER

Decide first if you wish to be private or discuss your diagnosis with your manager.

You have the right to use ”personal illness” wording. Just make sure you have the correct documentation from your

Doctor. I would prefer Qantas to know so I receive optimum support and consideration.

 

 

ENQUIRE ABOUT YOUR SICK LEAVE AND LEAVE BALANCE

Discuss your options if you don’t have too much sick leave left. Later, through your recovery journey if you run out of sick leave and leave etc. there is an option to apply through the superannuation fund to receive 75% of your salary.

 

 

IF YOU HAVE WAGE COVER, INCOME PROTECTION, THEN YOU MUST USE THIS OPTION

It is fantastic. They pay you the agreed amount when you take out the policy, but you have to pay the tax.

A good option is to buy tax stamps each month; you can get them at the post office.

If you are a member of the union, you can suspend your fees until you have finished your treatment program.

It is really important to organize your finances early so you can concentrate on your recovery.

 

 

YOUR MANAGER WILL OFFER SUPPORT REGARDING YOUR POSITION WITH QANTAS

It is a twelve month window, and whilst this may seem daunting at the time it is Qantas Policy and protocols must be followed. The meeting and or discussions are not meant to be intimidating, but are often very formal. If you wish a same gender ”return to work  co-ordinator “ this option can be requested. Expect manager contact and support throughout your treatment program.

 

 

THE FIRST FORMAL DISCUSSION IS AT

Three months.

Six months

Nine months.

Then at 11 months. Your manager will go over your return to work options.

 

 

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SUPPORTING MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION THROUGHOUT YOUR TREATMENT AND RECOVERY PROCESS

You will have 12 months from beginning of sick leave, if you are unable to return to work in the foreseeable future, after 12 months, then you will be issued a letter regarding your employment. However if your medical team re-assure Qantas that you need just a little more time to recover, your case will be reviewed.  Qantas want you to return to full health and return to work, and from personal experience, the prospect of returning to work kept me working towards that goal.

 

 

THERE MAYBE OTHER OPTIONS FOR YOU TO RETURN TO WORK

e.g. change of base, part-time, maybe some ground duties to begin with, however these need to be discussed with your manager and appropriate supporting documentation from your Doctor. Please be aware any deviation from full time or part time flying duties must be at the Qantas’ discretion.

 

Qantas is obligated by the privacy act to keep all discussions and your personal circumstances etc. totally private.

 

This “checklist” is only a guideline but we hope it helps.

 

The cancer journey is all about you, and whilst the first shock of diagnosis is hideous and scary, there is a lot of support for cancer patients. No one needs to be alone unless you want to be.

 

 

The Qantas Cabin Crew Cancer Support Group.