EX GRATIA PAYMENT FOR CANCER PATIENTS

[Yvonne]

I've been working casually as a temp for the last year. Haven't told the agency that I have metastatic breast cancer. I also don't tell the people I get jobs with. I can only work 2 days a week as I'm on disability. They know I can only work two days a week, but don't know why, and they haven't asked. Unless someone asks a really direct question, I wouldn't be volunteering any info about your health! (Unless it really affects your ability to perform the role).

[jezza]

Oh I totally agree about the older staff! At the kinder where my kids went I thought the trained young kindergarten teacher was a bit of an airhead. They had an untrained assistant in her late 50s....with a grown up family who all the kids loved. If I had any concerns I always went to her as did most of the other mums.

Best of luck Retta. You sound like just the sort of person that I would like looking after my kids. I think a mixture is a good idea. I wouldn't be happy with all young staff.

Best of luck.

jezza

[retta]

Thanks Gail & Sue for your inspiring words. Yes Sue I think a mix of staffs ages is a good thing. I have been told many times by mothers with children in care that they would much prefer someone older caring for their kids. I can't do Family day care as my house isn't really suitable & I have dogs. The last two places I worked at also liked employing older staff & one owner hated the young ones. Unfortunately I can't go back there as we moved but I do miss them. I received a voice message on my phone yesterday to say I was unsuccessful for that job but they would keep my resume on file blah blah. I was impressed that they called as not many do! I will keep an eye on their website as they have pics of their staff. I never thought age would be a barrier in this line of work!

[SueM44]

I agree Gail
Both my daughters went to childcare from 1 year olds.
I liked to see a more 'mature' person working in the center or better still a mix of ages and experience as I felt this gave my girls better care and a mix or role models.
Have you thought of registering as a family day care person? You look after children in your own home. You have to pass a few tests first and I think they inspect your home but it could be worth looking into?
Both my daughters went to a senior ciitizen before and after school for all of their Primary years.
Not that I am saying you are senior! She was a treasured person in their lives and taught them sewing and knitting and cooking Not sure someone younger would have done this.
you find something soon. Good luck
Sue

[Gail]

Rhetta, don't let your age hold you back, experience and loyalty is everything these days. I always worried about being out of work and have never been, this last job I have been here 4 years so got in when I was 54 and it was based on the fact of my prior history. I had to laugh because I got out the car and the boss walked toward me and spoke to me at the car and that was it, I thought how weird was that, did he just want to see me? Perhaps office work is different but I would think a motherly figure with experience would be very welcome, have confidence in yourself.

[Gail]

Rhetta, don't let your age hold you back, experience and loyalty is everything these days. I always worried about being out of work and have never been, this last job I have been here 4 years so got in when I was 54 and it was based on the fact of my prior history. I had to laugh because I got out the car and the boss walked toward me and spoke to me at the car and that was it, I thought how weird was that, did he just want to see me? Perhaps office work is different but I would think a motherly figure with experience would be very welcome, have confidence in yourself.

[retta]

Yes that is how I have covered it in my resume but sometimes a question will come up in an interview regarding physical fitness or just the usual tell us about yourself. It didn't come up in my last interview so I didn't disclose anything but I think it might have been my age with that one. Oh well I will keep trying.

[Marydean]

Retta. don't mention it. If you have to explain a period of absence you can gloss over it, and focus on the fact that the reason your employment was terminated was because the centre closed. Technically your period of employment started when you started work and finished when they closed and that is all you need to put on your resume.

[retta]

Yes this whole bc experience really put a dent on our finances. I had only been working at my new job for 3 months when I was diagnosed last year so didn't have much sick leave & then while I was off on unpaid leave the childcare centre I worked for closed it's doors so I had no job to return to after my treatment. I am now finding it really hard to get another job & am only doing casual work but that doesn't bring in enough money. I get a bit paranoid at interviews if I mention my bc that's the reason I'm not getting the job. Silly I know I probably just suck at interviews LOL. I am also finding it could be my age, 48, as some centres seem to have all young staff. It's something I have never really come across before. I would have preferred to go back to my old job where I had the support

[JudyB]

I agree MD, people do seem to think that there is a lot of help out there. Many companies do feel sorry for someone with cancer and will continue to pay them once their leave runs out. Mine didn't, I was docked but luckily they were nice enough not to dock me for the odd hours here and there when I had to leave early or get in late for specialist appointments, radiotherapy appointments etc. Many don't even get that.

Also if you are in a relationship then there is pretty much zilch help. I see their reasoning behind this but you have to remember that people have altered their lifestyle to two incomes and those lifestyles don't just stop, there are contracts that say you have to keep paying etc. If you had a child in a private school you shouldn't have to just yank them out because you are going to be ill for a year. It is a very stressful time at an already stressful time of your life.

[Marydean]

Yes we applied and got this but only after specifically ringing to find out about assistance. We were pretty desperate at the time. . People must've assumed we were fine financially and we probably should have been except we fell through the cracks, no insurance, no paid sick leave from my work, things people think you're getting. I'm still not convinced that my husband's work gave him the full amount of leave that he was entitled to either. Net result was I lost over a year of pay, husband chewed through an entire years worth of annual leave, we remortgaged the house to pay the debts from that time. I expect we will be paying for this cancer experience for at least a decade.

[Marydean]

Double post

[JudyB]

I don't think they advertise it because they don't want everyone applying for it. I found money tight whilst going through treatment but really $300 wouldn't have helped me that much. It is much better if it goes to those people that really are struggling. Unfortunately we live in a society where people think that because something is offered then we should all take it whether we need it or not.

By the way I am not having a go at anyone here, we all have our different needs. I think it's great that that Cancer Council do this.

[Gail]

Yes, I wish I knew the things I know now when going through treatment. It was a real struggle and I used a lot of my unpreserved super at the time. I Want it Back!!!!!

[chrismelb]

Thanks Jan, defintely good to know. It is like the child care payments you can get but they never used to advertise them. Only when people were desperate were they informed of them. Knowledge up front could prevent a lot of stress.