How do we best support employees with chronic conditions and cancer over the long term?

Staying in work – key to quality of life

According to the French National Cancer Institute, people who manage to stay in work during treatment enjoy a better quality of life and feel less isolated.

In 2023, VINCI Construction became the first construction company to sign the Cancer@Work charter, pledging to create a supportive environment for employees affected by the disease, combat discrimination due to their condition, train managers and support employees.

Helping employees return to work, step by step

In line with the NGO’s recommendations, VINCI Construction has implemented a range of initiatives to fulfil this commitment, both in France and around the world. We published a guide designed to help employees, colleagues and managers cope with the disease in 2023.

In recognition of its awareness-raising initiatives, VINCI Construction’s Shared Services entity was awarded the Cancer@Work level 2 label on 10 December 2024. This label acknowledges the clear and ambitious roadmap put in place within the entity, as well as the areas for improvement identified and addressed to better manage cancer in the workplace.

HR teams have specifically introduced a coaching programme for employees returning to work after extended absence due to a chronic illness or cancer. This three-month support scheme benefits not only the employee affected, but also their manager, as the first days back at work are crucial. To ensure employee well-being at work after an extended absence, it is essential to adapt workstations and workloads in light of any long-term effects they are dealing with.

Charitable initiatives and raising awareness

In Mexico, the civil engineering company Cimesa marked World Breast Cancer Awareness Day last October by offering early detection screenings for all its female employees.

In France, the VINCI Construction civil engineering delegation of Île-de-France and North of France also stepped up to prevent breast cancer in October 2024 by organising awareness workshops and teaching self-examination techniques.

In June 2024, VINCI Construction took part in the inter-company solidarity and sports challenge, “All Together for Cancer@Work”, for the second year running. 1,600 employees from the company across France and several countries in Africa covered a total of 541,537 km walking, running, or cycling over the month-long challenge. This initiative supports the NGO’s actions to help people with illnesses stay in work while highlighting the importance of regular physical activity for employees.

In the UK, a team of employees from Ringway Jacobs also took part in a charity five-a-side football tournament in June 2024 to raise funds for cancer research.

Trajeo’h providing tailored support for the past 15 years

Fifteen years ago, VINCI set up Trajeo’h to take disability and illness into consideration throughout the Group and effectively support VINCI Group employees with disabilities to remain in employment. Trajeo’h provides guidance to employees with disabilities wishing to apply for recognition as a disabled worker. In order to help employees stay in work, the structure also assesses positions, provides recommendations for adaptation, and conducts skills and career orientation assessments if it proves impossible for employees to stay in the same job.

For instance, Trajeo’h helps employees unable to remain in the same job due to disability or the long-term effects of an illness to find a suitable position elsewhere within the VINCI Group.