Big Companies Like Walmart Are Promising To Do A Better Job Of Supporting Workers With Cancer
Big companies like Walmart, Meta, Disney, and McDonald's have taken a pledge to provide better support for employees who are working while they fight cancer.
News headlines are abuzz with updates coming out of the 2023 World Economic Forum, even though it just kicked off. But one agenda item is flying slightly under the radar. A new initiative that encourages companies to better support workers with cancer got introduced in Davos on Tuesday.
The initiative is known as the #WorkingWithCancer Pledge. It is the brainchild of Arthur Sadoun, the CEO of Publicis Groupe. Last year, Sadoun fought a bout with cancer and opened up publicly about his experience.
To his surprise, people came out of the woodwork to express empathy and tell him stories about their own journeys. Sadoun learned that most workers with cancer, and those whose children have cancer, do their best to hide the diagnosis from their employer. Individuals told him about using up sick days and scheduling treatments during pre-work hours.
The news upset the CEO. He told CNN, “That is crazy. I started 2022 with cancer and left it with a mission.” And it is a mission he is now sharing with the world.
His #WorkingWithCancer Pledge is a global campaign urging companies to do better when it comes to their workers with cancer. Though it just launched, many companies eagerly agreed to join Sadoun’s efforts. Big names like Walmart, Meta, Bank of America, Nestlé, Google, Citi, Marriott, Disney, Unilever, L’Oréal, PepsiCo, McDonald’s, Toyota, and Microsoft have signed the pledge.
One of the main goals is to do away with the fear of reprisal once and for all. “Signatories also pledge to do a better job publicizing to their workforces the benefits they already have in place for employees with cancer and for employees taking care of a family member with cancer. They will also consider ways to do more.”
There is even a website that documents actions companies are taking or will take to support workers with cancer. Some corporations have already added their information to this website. One of those is Walmart.
The retail giant has an existing support program for workers with cancer. It is called the Centers for Excellence Program. Employees that sign up for this program get access to care across the United States, including travel and lodging assistance.
Walmart also offers separate leave of absence programs for employees with significant life challenges, like cancer. However, the company isn’t the only one to quickly join the fight. Some major cancer institutions, like Memorial Sloan Kettering, have also signed the pledge, which is great news.
But what about Sadoun’s company, Publicis? The advertising agency made sweeping promises to its workers with cancer. One of the most impressive on the list is the promise to “Secure the job and salary of any employee suffering from cancer for at least 1 year so they can focus on their health treatment.”
Additionally, the company plans to develop a trained peer support group. That way, workers with cancer know they are not alone. Publicis will also offer career guidance for employees who need adjusted duties and customized support for anyone acting as a caregiver for a family member diagnosed with cancer.
