Cancer and Careers
Posted 9/3/2009
Posted in
For most of us, our work lives are an important part of our daily routines, our sense of self, and our financial security. A cancer diagnosis and treatment raises many issues around work, and some concerns persist long after treatment has been completed. For example, I met yesterday with a woman who went through breast cancer treatment a couple of years ago. She is in the process of interviewing for a new job and is worried both about what/if/when to say anything about her cancer history and how to approach the ongoing need for time off for doctors' appointments.
There is a wonderful online resource, Cancer and Careers, to help with many of these questions. Of course, every situation is unique, and you know best how to think about your particular workplace and colleagues. This is a good place to start. Here is a short excerpt from the site:
You've just been diagnosed with cancer.
You're worried about everything.
And now you have a meeting with your boss.
What do you say?
There is no one correct answer for everyone. We've got the resources to help you decide what's right for you.
Should you tell
Let's get one thing out of the way first: you don't have to tell anyone at your workplace about your diagnosis...unless. Yes, there's a caveat you do have to tell if your diagnosis interferes with performing your basic duties...read more
Who to tell
Your boss? Your coworkers? Human resources? The answer depends on you and your experience in your work environment…read more
What to tell
In addition to determining who to tell, give some serious thought to what--and how much--they need to know…read more
How to tell
You've decided whom. You think you know what. Now comes the trickiest part -- how do tell people your diagnosis?...read more
Here is the link: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/
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