SpringerLink
Log in

Impact of flexible work arrangements on job resignation after cancer diagnosis among Japanese young adult cancer survivors

  • Published:
Journal of Cancer Survivorship Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Many workers had flexible work arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to identify the association between flextime and remote working and job resignation among Japanese young adult cancer survivors after diagnosis.

Methods

This cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an online survey with 401 Japanese young adult cancer survivors diagnosed with adult-onset cancer and aged 20–39 years at the time of the survey in January 2022. A multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to analyze the impact of flextime and remote working on job resignation.

Results

In the sample, 264 participants (65.8%) were female, and 185 (46.1%) had been diagnosed with cancer between 1 and 5 years ago. After adjusting for potential confounders, the multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that young adult cancer survivors using remote working only (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21–0.96, p = 0.04) and both flextime and remote working (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.21–0.64, p < 0.01) experienced a lower risk of job resignation after cancer diagnosis compared to those who did not use flextime and remote working.

Conclusions

Young adult cancer survivors who used remote working only or remote working combined with flextime could reduce their risk of job resignation after a cancer diagnosis.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

This study showed that having the option of remote working can be important for young adult cancer survivors’ continuing employment. Furthermore, social welfare systems need to promote a workplace culture and climate that allows remote working.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (United Kingdom)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

References

  1. Feuerstein M, Todd BL, Moskowitz MC, Bruns GL, Stoler MR, Nassif T, et al. Work in cancer survivors: a model for practice and research. J Cancer Surviv. 2010;4:415–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-010-0154-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. van der Meer DJ, Karim-Kos HE, van der Mark M, Aben KKH, Bijlsma RM, Rijneveld AW, et al. Incidence, survival, and mortality trends of cancers diagnosed in adolescents and young adults (15–39 years): a population-based study in the Netherlands 1990–2016. Cancers. 2020;12:3421. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12113421.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Moke DJ, Tsai K, Hamilton AS, Hwang A, Liu L, Freyer DR, et al. Emerging cancer survival trends, disparities, and priorities in adolescents and young adults: a California cancer registry-based study. JNCI Cancer Spectr. 2019;3:pkz031. https://doi.org/10.1093/jncics/pkz031.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Hydeman JA, Uwazurike OC, Adeyemi EI, Beaupin LK. Survivorship needs of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: a concept map** analysis. J Cancer Surviv. 2019;13:34–42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-018-0725-5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Blinder VS, Gany FM. Impact of cancer on employment. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38:302–9. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.19.01856.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Moran JR, Short PF, Hollenbeak CS. Long-term employment effects of surviving cancer. J Health Econ. 2011;30:505–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2011.02.001.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Bradley CJ, Brown KL, Haan M, Glasgow RE, Newman LS, Rabin B, et al. Cancer survivorship and employment: intersection of oral agents, changing workforce dynamics, and employers’ perspectives. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2018;110:1292–9. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djy172.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Torp S, Paraponaris A, Van Hoof E, Lindbohm ML, Tamminga SJ, Alleaume C, et al. Work-related outcomes in self-employed cancer survivors: a European multi-country study. J Occup Rehabil. 2019;29:361–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-018-9792-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Désiron HA, Crutzen R, Godderis L, Van Hoof E, de Rijk A. Bridging health care and the workplace: formulation of a return-to-work intervention for breast cancer patients using an intervention map** approach. J Occup Rehabil. 2016;26:350–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-015-9620-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. de Boer AG, Verbeek JH, Spelten ER, Uitterhoeve AL, Ansink AC, de Reijke TM, et al. Work ability and return-to-work in cancer patients. Br J Cancer. 2008;98:1342–7. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6604302.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Stone DS, Ganz PA, Pavlish C, Robbins WA. Young adult cancer survivors and work: a systematic review. J Cancer Surviv. 2017;11:765–81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-017-0614-3.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Rabin C. Cancer-related self-disclosure in the workplace/school by adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2020;9:528–33. https://doi.org/10.1089/jayao.2019.0159.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. de Boer AG, Torp S, Popa A, Horsboel T, Zadnik V, Rottenberg Y, et al. Long-term work retention after treatment for cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cancer Surviv. 2020;14:135–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-020-00862-2.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Hamood R, Hamood H, Merhasin I, Keinan-Boker L. Work transitions in breast cancer survivors and effects on quality of life. J Occup Rehabil. 2019;29:336–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-018-9789-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Alleaume C, Bendiane MK, Bouhnik AD, Rey D, Cortaredona S, Seror V, et al. Chronic neuropathic pain negatively associated with employment retention of cancer survivors: evidence from a national French survey. J Cancer Surviv. 2018;12:115–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-017-0650-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Landeiro LCG, Gagliato DM, Fêde AB, Fraile NM, Lopez RM, da Fonseca LG, et al. Return to work after breast cancer diagnosis: an observational prospective study in Brazil. Cancer. 2018;124:4700–10. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.31735.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Jeon SH. The long-term effects of cancer on employment and earnings. Health Econ. 2017;26:671–84. https://doi.org/10.1002/hec.3342.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Tison A, Sagaon-Teyssier L, Sansonetti C, Blatier JF, Paraponaris A, VICAN 2 group. Transitions in the labor market after cancer: a comparison of self-employed workers and salaried staff. Support Care Cancer. 2016;24:4879–86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3343-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Jagsi R, Hawley ST, Abrahamse P, Li Y, Janz NK, Griggs JJ, et al. Impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on long-term employment of survivors of early-stage breast cancer. Cancer. 2014;120:1854–62. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.28607.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Luker K, Campbell M, Amir Z, Davies L. A UK survey of the impact of cancer on employment. Occup Med (Lond). 2013;63:494–500. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqt104.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Torp S, Gudbergsson SB, Dahl AA, Fosså SD, Fløtten T. Social support at work and work changes among cancer survivors in Norway. Scand J Public Health. 2011;39(6 Suppl):33–42. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494810395827.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Blinder V, Patil S, Eberle C, Griggs J, Maly RC. Early predictors of not returning to work in low-income breast cancer survivors: a 5-year longitudinal study. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2013;140:407–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-013-2625-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Roelen CA, Koopmans PC, Schellart AJ, van der Beek AJ. Resuming work after cancer: a prospective study of occupational register data. J Occup Rehabil. 2011;21:431–40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-010-9274-0.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Fiva JH, Haegeland T, Rønning M. Health status after cancer: does it matter which hospital you belong to? BMC Health Serv Res. 2010;10:204. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-10-204.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  25. Lindbohm ML, Kuosma E, Taskila T, Hietanen P, Carlsen K, Gudbergsson S, et al. Cancer as the cause of changes in work situation (a NOCWO study). Psychooncology. 2011;20:805–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.1797.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Mitsui K, Endo M, Imai Y, Ueda Y, Ogawa H, Muto G, et al. Predictors of resignation and sick leave after cancer diagnosis among Japanese breast cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2021;21:138. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10168-2.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Endo M, Muto G, Imai Y, Mitsui K, Nishimura K, Hayashi K. Predictors of post-cancer diagnosis resignation among Japanese cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv. 2020;14:106–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-019-00827-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Cambridge University Press. Flextime (Cambridge Dictionary). https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/flextime. Accessed May 23, 2022

  29. Cambridge University Press. Remote working (Cambridge Dictionary). https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/remote-working. Accessed May 23, 2022

  30. Barrero JM, Bloom N, Davis SJ Why working from home will stick. University of Chicago, Becker Friedman Institute for Economics Working Paper. 2021 2020–174. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3741644

  31. Papanikolaou D, Schmidt LDW. Working remotely and the supply-side impact of COVID-19. Rev Asset Pricing Stud. 2022;12:53–111. https://doi.org/10.1093/rapstu/raab026.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Nuwer R. No workplace like home. Sci Am Mind. 2016;27:38–43. https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamericanmind0916-38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Bloom N, Liang J, Roberts J, Ying ZJ. Does working from home work? Evidence from a Chinese experiment. Q J Econ. 2015;130:165–218. https://doi.org/10.1093/qje/qju032.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Kollerup A, Ladenburg J, Heinesen E, Kolodziejczyk C. The importance of workplace accommodation for cancer survivors – the role of flexible work schedules and psychological help in returning to work. Econ Hum Biol. 2021;43:101057. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ehb.2021.101057.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Alleaume C, Paraponaris A, Bendiane MK, Peretti-Watel P, Bouhnik AD. The positive effect of workplace accommodations on the continued employment of cancer survivors five years after diagnosis. Support Care Cancer. 2020;28:4435–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-05189-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Mujahid MS, Janz NK, Hawley ST, Griggs JJ, Hamilton AS, Katz SJ. The impact of sociodemographic, treatment, and work support on missed work after breast cancer diagnosis. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2010;119:213–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-009-0389-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Hallgren E, Ayers BL, Moore R, Purvis RS, McElfish PA, Maraboyina S, et al. Facilitators and barriers to employment for rural women cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-022-01179-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. Labor Contract Act. 2007. https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/ja/laws/view/3744. Accessed Apr 18 2023.

  39. Takahashi M, Tsuchiya M, Horio Y, Funazaki H, Aogi K, Miyauchi K, et al. Job resignation after cancer diagnosis among working survivors in Japan: timing, reasons and change of information needs over time. Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2018;48:43–51. https://doi.org/10.1093/jjco/hyx143.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Fujisawa D, Umezawa S, Fujimori M, Miyashita M. Prevalence and associated factors of perceived cancer-related stigma in Japanese cancer survivors. Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2020;50:1325–9. https://doi.org/10.1093/jjco/hyaa135.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. Jirei kara manabu tiryou to shigoto no ryoritsu no tame no syokuba niokeru hokenkatsudo no hintosyu [Collection of tips for occupational health activities to support balancing treatment and work on the basis of case studies]. 2014. https://www.mhlw.go.jp/new-info/kobetu/roudou/gyousei/anzen/dl/140328-01.pdf. Accessed Apr 18, 2023.

  42. Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training. Byoki no tiryo to shigoto no ryoritsu ni kansuru jittaichosa [Survey on balancing treatment and working life in individuals with chronic/intractable illness]. 2018. https://www.jil.go.jp/institute/research/2018/documents/180.pdf. 2018. Accessed Jun 10, 2021.

  43. Schaufeli WB. Applying the job demands-resources model: a ‘how to’ guide to measuring and tackling work engagement and burnout. Organ Dyn. 2017;2:120–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Kruse D, Park SR, van der Meulen RY, Schur L. Disability and remote work during the pandemic with implications for cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv. 2022;16:183–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-021-01146-z.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  45. Dey M, Frazis H, Piccone DSJ, Loewenstein MA. Teleworking and lost work during the pandemic: new evidence from the CPS. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3807195. Accessed Sep 6, 2022

  46. Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, Japan. Basic plan to promote cancer control programs. https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/wp/wp-hw2/part2/p3_0026.pdf. Accessed Aug 11, 2022

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend special thanks to the young adult cancer survivors who participated in the study.

Funding

This study was supported by grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists, grant number 19K19639) to Takafumi Soejima. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision of publication, or manuscript preparation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, 7-10-2 Tomogaoka, Suma-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 654-0142, Japan

    Takafumi Soejima & Mari Kitao

  2. Keio Research Institute at SFC, Keio University, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0882, Japan

    Masahito Tokita

Authors
  1. Takafumi Soejima
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Masahito Tokita
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mari Kitao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors contributed to the conception and design of the study. Data collection was performed by Takafumi Soejima. All authors contributed to the data analysis and interpretation, drafted the manuscript, and critically reviewed it. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work and ensure that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Takafumi Soejima.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the Ethical Guidelines for Medical and Biological Research Involving Human Subjects established by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of Japan. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of the Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University (August 31st, 2021/No. 1029).

Consent to participate

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 6828 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Soejima, T., Tokita, M. & Kitao, M. Impact of flexible work arrangements on job resignation after cancer diagnosis among Japanese young adult cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-023-01421-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-023-01421-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation