WorkCompanion
Empowering parents in the workplace when facing childhood cancer
WorkCompanion is an online, self-paced program designed to help parents and carers balance work and caregiving. WorkCompanion provides essential information, practical tips, and resources to support your employment goals and well-being during and after your child’s cancer treatment. Access now on myRedkite.
Why WorkCompanion?
Navigating the challenges of managing your work environment while caring for a child with cancer can be overwhelming. The stress of balancing your professional responsibilities with the intense demands of caregiving often feels insurmountable.
This is where WorkCompanion comes in. Our program is designed to help families like yours get the most support from their workplace during this difficult time. Even with an incredibly supportive employer, it can be hard to know what to request or how to articulate your needs effectively. Coming off treatment doesn’t mean you can return to work immediately; the journey of healing and adjusting continues long after the medical treatments end. Unfortunately, there are no standard policies or frameworks guiding employers on how to support employees in such circumstances, leaving many parents feeling lost and unsupported.
WorkCompanion aims to bridge this gap, providing you with the tools and guidance to navigate these conversations and secure the support you need.
What is the WorkCompanion program?
WorkCompanion is a program created by Redkite in partnership with Hudson Recruitment to help parents achieve their employment goals. The program includes access to a range of online self-paced resources covering practical topics such as:
Creating a job search plan
Resume writing and updating
Interview skills
Salary negotiations
Email templates to aid communication
Career planning
Behavioural skills & confidence
Parents can get career support through WorkCompanion, including assistance with:
- Returning to previous roles with increased flexibility or reduced responsibility
- Understanding legal rights when accessing leave
- Explaining the childhood cancer experience to employers and colleagues
For those looking for new employment, the program helps rebuild confidence after taking time off work. By providing these resources and support, WorkCompanion empowers parents to navigate their career challenges while managing the demands of their child’s cancer journey.
Who is WorkCompanion for?
WorkCompanion is designed for parents re-entering the workforce or transitioning careers after their child’s diagnosis and treatment. It also assists in negotiating a more supportive work environment. Whether you’re returning to your previous role, seeking new employment, or needing a more accommodating work setup, this program provides the necessary support and resources.
What will I gain from the program?
Through a series of online modules, you will gain valuable information and practical strategies to manage your work environment while caring for your child. The program is designed to be flexible, allowing you to tailor the resources and support to meet your unique needs and circumstances.
The WorkCompanion program can help parents with:
- Empowerment: Essential information and knowledge to navigate your work journey. Develop skills and resources to better support yourself and your family during this challenging time.
- Emotional & Mental Health and Wellbeing: Support to manage your emotional and mental health. Learn to adjust to life’s changes, reduce stress and distress, and alleviate anxiety as you balance work and caregiving.
- Financial Resilience and Wellbeing: Become better equipped to handle the financial impacts of childhood cancer. and return to work with confidence.
- Connection and Social Wellbeing: Build meaningful connections throughout your child’s cancer experience. Stay connected to organisations that can help and feel less alone.
Program inclusions
As part of the WorkCompanion program, you will receive:
Groups and resources you may be interested in
Cascade: End of treatment support for parents & carers
When treatment ends… Parents often tell us that when their child finishes treatment, they have a mix of emotions. They…
Cascade: End of treatment support for parents & carers
When treatment ends… Parents often tell us that when their child finishes treatment, they have a mix of emotions. They…
Connect Group: My child has finished treatment
Our connect groups let you connect over video with people in a similar situation. These informal groups are a space where you can share your experience with people who’ve been there too, as well as talk about challenges and share things you’ve found helpful.
Connect Group: My child has finished treatment
Our connect groups let you connect over video with people in a similar situation. These informal groups are a space where you can share your experience with people who’ve been there too, as well as talk about challenges and share things you’ve found helpful.
Nutrition tips for kids on cancer treatment
Well all know that nutrition plays a huge part in a child’s overall health and wellbeing but food often becomes a stressful part of daily life during treatment.
Nutrition tips for kids on cancer treatment
Well all know that nutrition plays a huge part in a child’s overall health and wellbeing but food often becomes a stressful part of daily life during treatment.
How to encourage healthy eating after childhood cancer
Creating healthier eating habits with your child can be difficult after cancer treatment. Here we share some fun tips and activities to encourage your child to eat heathier foods.
How to encourage healthy eating after childhood cancer
Creating healthier eating habits with your child can be difficult after cancer treatment. Here we share some fun tips and activities to encourage your child to eat heathier foods.
Request information And support
We’re ready to help. Please call us on 1800 REDKITE (Mon – Fri 9am – 7pm AEST), or fill out the form below.
