Cancer: The Leading Cause of Workplace Insurance Claims

New industry figures reveal that cancer is now the primary reason employees make claims under workplace insurance policies. New Data released on National Cancer Survivors Day, highlights that in 2024, cancer accounted for the majority of claims across critical illness cover, life assurance, and income protection.

Key Statistics:

• 68% of critical illness claims were for cancer
• 39% of life assurance claims involved cancer
• 27% of income protection payouts were cancer-related

These findings underscore the significant impact of cancer in the workforce. With survival rates steadily improving, more people are living beyond cancer treatment than ever before. According to Cancer Research UK, survival rates have doubled over the past 50 years.

A Growing Workplace Issue

While higher survival rates are a positive development, they also present new challenges for employers. Many employees are returning to work after treatment or continuing to work while receiving care. Others may be living with long-term physical and mental effects, including fatigue, anxiety, cognitive issues, and reduced stamina.

Supporting staff affected by cancer is no longer a short-term or exceptional consideration but a growing and ongoing workplace issue.

Supporting the Return to Work

Employers face the challenge of supporting staff through the return-to-work process or helping those who choose to remain in work while undergoing treatment. The support needs of these employees can vary significantly:

• Staff who have returned to work on a full-time basis
• Employees working flexibly or part-time as they rebuild strength
• Individuals living with long-term or recurrent disease
• Workers who continued in their role during treatment

Group risk benefits are invaluable in supporting employers as they, in turn, support employees at different stages in their cancer recovery. Many policies include guidance and resources to help HR teams and line managers respond effectively, such as training modules, practical toolkits, access to Kays occupational health and rehabilitation services, and counselling and mental health support.

The Employer’s Role in Cancer Recovery

For employers, the challenge is twofold: ensuring staff receive appropriate support and creating a workplace culture where employees feel safe and respected when disclosing a cancer diagnosis or asking for adjustments.

Kays Medical advise Companies to:

• Familiarise themselves with the non-financial elements of any group risk policies they have in place
• Establish clear return-to-work procedures tailored to individual health needs
• Train managers to handle conversations around illness and recovery with confidence and empathy
• Offer flexibility around hours, responsibilities, and working patterns where possible
• Avoid assumptions about what employees can or cannot do following treatment

The benefits of doing so are not only ethical but also practical. Research shows that employees who feel supported are more likely to stay with an organisation, return to work more quickly, and perform more effectively over time.