Getting what you deserve: How notions of deservingness feature in the experiences of employees with cancer

摘要

This article extends deservingness debates in social welfare to a new domain by exploring how deservingness features in the experiences of people who are in paid work when diagnosed with cancer. In doing so, it explores the interrelationship between deservingness criteria and Parsons' sick role. Narrative interview data was collected from people with cancer who were employed when they were diagnosed (n = 14) and line managers with experience of managing an employee with cancer (n = 7). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of occupational health and human resources staff (n = 3), health care professionals (n = 5) and staff from a UK cancer support charity (n = 7). Data was analysed thematically.