University Cancer Support Agreement for Staff Recognised in Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament has formally recognised a new agreement reached between the Public Service Union (UNISON) and the University of St Andrews to strengthen support for staff recovering from cancer. 

The policy package extends the period of full-pay phased returns to work from eight to twelve weeks, and establishes a closer partnership with cancer charity Maggie’s Centre in Kirkcaldy. The agreement is considered to be one of the most generous cancer-aftercare employment support packages in UK higher education.

It also introduces a dedicated cancer-support webpage, improved HR communication for affected employees, clearer arrangements for staff and line managers to agree on contact schedules during absence, and new seminars focused on cancer in the workplace. UNISON representative Alex Duncan and North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie were closely involved in shaping the agreement, with Rennie lodging a motion in the Scottish Parliament to formally recognise the deal. 

When asked what prompted him to lodge the motion, Rennie said: “I lodged the motion primarily because I wanted to congratulate the University and the UNISON branch for agreeing on this strong set of measures to improve support for staff affected by cancer and to bring it to wider attention.”

He continued: “The agreement is significant, not least because of the inclusion of a twelve-week phased return on full pay, which will help those recovering from cancer with aftercare needs, but it is also significant for the message it sends to employees suffering [from] cancer — that the University understands their situation and will support them.”

Rennie added, “The agreement represents a significant commitment to staff wellbeing and reflects the considerable efforts of Alex Duncan and the UNISON branch. I believe that the University has set a very positive example, which I hope other employers will follow.”

UNISON, Scotland’s biggest public service trade union that represents workers across the country, was one of the key figures in negotiating the deal. In a statement to The Saint, Union representative Duncan, who played a central role in negotiating the new package, said the agreement was developed in response to a noticeable rise in cancer diagnoses among University employees.

Duncan explained that discussions with the University’s Occupational Health advisor highlighted the significant challenges staff face while undergoing treatment, as well as the often-overlooked fatigue and recovery issues that can persist for months afterwards. He said that many employees felt financially pressured to return to work before they were ready, prompting the Union to push for stronger protections.

“The length of treatment and post-recovery fatigue is a real issue for many,” he said. “Return to work is often driven by financial reasons, and we sought ways to support these pressures.”

Duncan emphasised that extending full-pay phased returns to twelve weeks would make a “real difference,” giving employees the financial security and time needed to properly adjust to being back at work. He said staff feedback on the improved aftercare measures had been “very supportive — and occasionally emotional” and that the extended phased-return period had been “the most significant improvement for staff recovering from cancer.”

Photo provided by the University of St Andrews