By Yara Maria Kamel, clinical psychologist
Cancer is a significant public health concern in the UAE, ranking as the fifth-highest cause of death and contributing to approximately 8.2% of fatalities [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in five people will receive a cancer diagnosis, with nearly half are individuals of working age. While early detection and treatment improve survival rates, reintegrating survivors into the workforce remains an overlooked challenge. Businesses can enhance their policies to support employees’ transition back to work.
The need for workplace support
With a large proportion of the UAE workforce under 40, workplace support is essential. Returning to work is not just physical—it’s also an emotional journey. Survivors face fatigue, stress, and workplace stigma, often struggling to balance medical needs with job demands. The financial burden of treatment may also force individuals to return to work prematurely, exacerbating stress and hindering recovery.
Cultural stigma remains as a barrier, with employees often hesitant to disclose health challenges due to concerns over job security. Employers can proactively counter this by fostering supportive environments through awareness campaigns, employee resource groups, and inclusive policies that encourage open dialogue about health-related challenges.
The changing UAE landscape for employment security
Recent UAE policies underscore the country’s commitment to employee wellbeing. The Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) scheme provides financial protection for workers facing unexpected job loss, ensuring those undergoing treatment are shielded from immediate hardship. Similarly, the Golden Visa initiative offers long-term residency benefits that stabilize expatriates by reducing stress over visa renewals and job security during prolonged recovery. These policies, though not cancer-specific, provide a safety net that UAE employers can enhance with reintegration programs, offering both legal and organizational support.
Holistic support for cancer survivors
Vocational rehabilitation strategies address multiple dimensions of recovery. To reduce stigma and anxiety, employers can provide access to counselling, wellness programs, and rehabilitation services.
Flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or modified schedules, help employees manage ongoing treatment effects while maintaining productivity. Job coaching is another essential tool in this process, offering personalized guidance to help employees navigate workplace expectations, rebuild confidence, and build skills for a successful return. Research underscores the benefits of job coaching in overcoming reintegration barriers and ensuring long-term success.
With these strategies, employers can create a supportive workplace that empowers cancer survivors to return with confidence.
Empowering managers and employees
Managers are crucial in supporting employees through their return-to-work journey. Providing expert consultations equips them with insights into the physical and emotional challenges survivors face, enabling them to make informed decisions about accommodations.
A manager toolkit with practical strategies—such as flexible scheduling, regular check-ins, and fostering inclusivity—ensures that reintegration plans are tailored to each employee’s needs. Programs like Workplace Options’ Return to Work: Cancer Care Compass guide managers in implementing these strategies, showing how gradual re-entry, flexibility, and ongoing support benefit both employees and the organization.
A comprehensive approach to vocational rehabilitation
Vocational rehabilitation programs for serious health conditions emphasize holistic approaches, and the same principles apply to cancer recovery. The UAE’s evolving cancer care landscape requires workplaces to adopt multi-dimensional strategies that ensure comprehensive support at every stage of an employee’s return to work.
Employers must recognize cancer recovery as a long-term process needing ongoing adjustments. Whether facing cognitive fatigue, physical rehab, or emotional distress, a recovery-focused work environment helps employees thrive professionally while prioritizing health.
Conclusion: Leading the way in employee cancer support
As the UAE strengthens cancer care and expatriate support, businesses have a unique opportunity to enhance reintegration strategies. By implementing gradual reintegration plans, flexible work policies, and comprehensive wellness programs, organizations can ensure employees do more than return to work—they can thrive within it.
Programs like Return to Work: Cancer Care Compass show how the right support can turn a cancer diagnosis from a career setback into a new beginning. By integrating vocational rehabilitation principles and leveraging UAE policies like the ILOE scheme and Golden Visa, companies can create inclusive environments that empower cancer survivors to rebuild their careers and achieve long-term success.
About Workplace Options:
Founded in 1982, Workplace Options (WPO) is the largest independent provider of holistic well-being solutions. Through customized programs, and a comprehensive global network of credentialed providers and professionals, WPO supports individuals to become healthier, happier, and more productive both personally and professionally. Trusted by 50 percent of Fortune 500 companies, WPO delivers high-quality care digitally and in-person to more than 88 million people across 127,000 organizations in more than 200 countries and territories.
About the author
Yara Maria Kamel is an experienced clinical psychologist with international experience in France, Lebanon, and Dubai. Since 2017, she has been supporting employees and their families through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing counselling, crisis intervention, and workplace mental health solutions. At Workplace Options, Yara serves as a Success Coach for the global clinical team. She also plays a key role in developing and implementing the Return to Work: Cancer Care Compass program. Previously, Yara worked in vocational rehabilitation in France, assisting individuals with severe psychiatric disabilities in their journey toward workforce reintegration.
She has presented at international conferences, including the World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation (WAPR) and the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), focusing on vocational rehabilitation and psychosocial rehabilitation models. She holds master’s degrees in clinical psychology and psychopathology in the workplace from Université Paris Diderot – Paris VII. Passionate about workplace mental health, Yara is dedicated to developing evidence-based interventions and fostering psychologically healthy work environments.
References
- Humaid O Al-Shamsi. Cancer Care in the United Arab Emirates. 2024 Cancer incidence in United Arab Emirates, Annual Report of the UAE—National Cancer Registry. Statistics and Research Center, Ministry of Health and Prevention, United Arab Emirates.
