‘Even when I got cancer, as a school secretary I was entitled to just three days’ paid leave’ – how key workers have so few protections

After her horror diagnosis, Hilary and her family also had to contend with the stress of a big financial drop-off

School secretary Hilary Kellett was diagnosed with cancer in 2016. Photo: Mark Condren

Anne-Marie Walsh

Hilary Kellett’s heart sank when she remembered what her sick pay entitlement was.

It was August 2016, and she was trying to deal with the shock of a breast cancer diagnosis. She realised she would be paid for only three days.