Whether or not you can work while undergoing cancer treatment will depend on:
. The sort of remedy you're receiving
. The stage of the cancer
. Your general health
. The type of work you do
Talk to your health care provider about your intentions to continue working or not work. This medical professional will be the best person to advise you about your specific treatment plan and possible side effects that could affect your ability to work. Your health care provider may also want to limit some of your activities.
Some people are able to continue working while undergoing cancer treatment. Some even continue to fulfill their shift or full working day. Others work the same hours they used to but under some different conditions (accommodations), such as being closer to the office bathroom in order to better cope with any side effects that might occur. And others require a less demanding work schedule, such as being able to take extra days off or even work part-time for a while.
The willingness and ability of the workplace to provide these special accommodations that may be needed will impact your ability to continue working during treatment. Talk to your employer about what you might need during this time.
Under federal and state law, some companies may be required to give you a flexible work arrangement that allows you to carry out your treatment. You can access more information from your state's Employment Department. Visit their website (www.dol.gov/whd/contacts/state_of.htm) to find the appropriate office in your state. We also have the Americans with Disabilities Act: Information for People with Cancer and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) documents. For more information, call us at 1-800-227-2345.
How To Report To Your Boss Or Supervisor
If you decide to talk about your cancer situation, set up a meeting with your boss or supervisor to express that you want to continue working while you receive your treatment. Talk honestly about your treatment and the time it may take you to be away from work. Also, you have to remember that your situation is subject to change and that at the moment the information you present consists of estimates only. However, if you let your supervisor and co-workers know, you can all work together to set realistic expectations. Keep in mind that what you report to your superiors is confidential information and will not be shared unless you indicate otherwise.
How To Tell Your Co-Workers
How much information about your cancer you share with your co-workers is completely up to you. Before discussing your cancer with co-workers, you may want to first talk with your health care provider about how the disease and treatment may affect your job or professional performance. Learn as much as you can from your healthcare team about side effects you might experience and how best to manage them while you're working. Depending on your relationship with your co-workers, you can decide whether or not to share your situation with them at all, and if so, how much. Try not to feel obligated to explain everything. Only you could determine what's fine for you and your situation.
Some of your co-workers may react to your cancer diagnosis and your absences with understanding and offers of help. Others may be a little uncomfortable being around you. It may remind some people of a loved one's cancer. Some of your co-workers may resent having to add extra responsibilities to your workload on days you need to be away. Others may ask slightly intrusive questions about your health and treatment, while others may want to avoid you. For more information on coping with these issues, you can refer to our content on how to talk about your cancer with others. It's also helpful to plan ahead for how you'll deal with others' reactions, as well as determine in advance how much you want to share with them.
Practical Advice When Receiving Treatment
It is important to determine how you will continue to perform your job while undergoing cancer treatment. The following practical tips could be useful in better managing your time and work:
. If the recovery time is required after each treatment session, try to schedule your sessions according to your needs. For example, at the end of the day or just before the weekend starts to give yourself enough recovery time.
. Explore available alternatives such as working from home on certain days. This may help you feel less tired allowing you to take better care of yourself in the event of any complications.
. Having help at home can give you more energy to do your job. Certain household chores can be divided among friends and family.
. You may report your situation to your co-workers if you feel it is appropriate. These could be a great source of support. They may even be able to help you by suggesting better ways to manage your work during these times.
. Keep your superiors and co-workers informed, if applicable, about how well your work schedule accommodations and other changes are working.
. Keep track of work activities normally completed during your work hours. Please refer to this record for when you require more flexibility, activity changes, or leave time.
. Prepare a detailed list of your work activities so that you can direct them to other people when you need to be absent.
. If co-workers support you in carrying out your work activities while you are away, make sure they know how much you appreciate their help and support.
. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it... This assures them that you are taking the best possible care of yourself and can help your superiors and co-workers see that you care about getting the best possible outcome from your job responsibilities.
Legal Protections For Workers With Cancer
You have the same rights as anyone else in the workplace and should have the same opportunities, whether or not you tell others about your cancer. Hiring, job advancement, and how you are treated in the workplace should depend entirely on your skills and performance. As long as you can fulfill your job responsibilities, you cannot legally be fired because of illness. You also won't have to accept a position you never would have considered before the illness.
Many people with cancer-related problems are protected by federal laws such as the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Some people also have the benefit of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This law allows many people with a serious illness to take a reasonable leave of absence to receive necessary medical care or to manage symptoms. Talk to someone in the human resources department at your job or similar to find out what your options are.
Reasonable Accommodations At Work
Employers are not required to lower their standards in order to meet an employee's needs, such as providing glasses or hearing aids to those with vision or hearing problems respectively. However, an employer must make accommodations for a qualified applicant or employee with a physical disability unless the employer shows that the accommodation would be detrimental. Examples of feasible accommodations for people with cancer may include, but are not limited to:
. Providing or modifying devices or work equipment.
. Restructure a job.
. Offer to work part-time or under a modified schedule, such as the possibility of working from home.
. Offer reasonable times for rest or medication.
. Adjust the office temperature.
. Reassign the employee to a vacant position or assign the employee different responsibilities in the event that he or she is unable to continue to perform the responsibilities of his or her current position.
. Adapt or modify tests, training materials, or policies.
. Offer services of readers or interpreters.
. Adapt the workplace for easy access and use by people with disabilities.
. Offer the service of a vocational rehabilitation counselor who can advise on labor law issues, but who can also determine which laws might affect them and how to fix any mishaps that might arise. Some cancer centers offer referrals to vocational rehabilitation counselors; the team of medical professionals could offer more information. They may also have information on available tools and people who could help.
For more information on workplace and employment accommodations for people with disabilities, contact the Job Accommodation Network at 1-800-526-7234. Here you can learn about the requirements imposed by the ADA law or by the Rehabilitation Act, as applicable in your case.
Workplace Discrimination Against People With Cancer
Although the understanding of cancer has improved among the population, sometimes prejudices and fears continue to arise in the workplace. You may want to check with the human resources department at your job if you have concerns about discrimination. If your job is affiliated with a union, union officials can be a good source of information on illness and work issues.
If you believe you have been discriminated against, you should first learn as much as you can about how your company has handled similar cases in the past. It could be that this is helpful in avoiding a stressful situation that could be financially, physically, and emotionally draining.
Make notes of your interactions with work personnel, including the names of people with whom you spoke, the date and place of the interactions, and the information you received from them. It's also a good idea to keep copies of your performance reviews, as well as any other written information about your job. This can be very useful in case problems arise later.
In Case You Need To File A Discrimination Complaint
If you believe you have been discriminated against at work because of a disability, don't forget that you can file a complaint with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This must be done within 180 days from when you believe the discrimination occurred (although some states and local laws allow you to extend the limit up to 300 days).
Disability Insurance For People With Cancer
Sometimes, regardless of correct making plans and extra time off, you can discover that it's far nonetheless tough to hold operating at the same time as present process most cancers treatment. If you start to find that you can't handle your workload while you're in treatment, talk to your boss or supervisor. Explain that you intend to continue working, but you need to take time off.
Talk to someone in the human resources department to find out if you qualify for short-term or long-term disability insurance benefits at your job and how you can apply. In general, short-term disability pays a portion of your earnings, anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, while you are unable to work. In the event of a long absence, some employers also carry long-term disability insurance, which kicks in after a few months of disability. Definitions of short-term and long-term disability vary among different insurance companies and workplaces. You must meet the criteria defined by your company to be entitled to these benefits. If the benefits do not include disability insurance, then ask about the supplemental insurance income or work disability insurance from the Social Security Administration.
Talk to your fitness care issuer approximately how your remedy and signs and symptoms are affecting your paintings to determine if and whilst you ought to bear in mind a depart of absence. Your provider will be able to help you process this part of the disability application.
Keep in mind that postponing a short-term disability filing could become a disadvantage. Some people face the difficulty of proving that they cannot do their jobs after spending weeks trying to get their jobs done. Don't wait for your performance to decline before you decide to take time off. Keep your boss or supervisor informed and talk with your health care provider to make the decision that is best for you.
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