Returning to Work After Cancer

It’s hard to anticipate how people will react or respond to the disclosure of a cancer diagnosis. Even the reaction of someone who is well-intended might not be the right one for you at that moment.

Find out what you need to know about how your cancer history may affect you on the job and how to take full advantage of the protections afforded to you under the law.

Dealing with cancer in the workplace can present challenges for the person who is ill, as well as their colleagues and supervisors at work.

Having a plan can help restore your sense of control and leave your with more energy to cope with the rest of the process.

Once you’ve developed a treatment strategy, you’ll want to focus on getting back to business. The same organizational skills you’ve honed on the job are key to making the process run smoothly.

To decrease the time and energy you spend on your clothes, create a work uniform. Find a basic “look” that suits you professionally and physically.

A common fear for people returning to the same job or company following a cancer diagnosis is that they will be seen as someone who had cancer, and it will hold them back.

Reasonable accommodations can be helpful whether you’re working through treatment or returning to work after taking some time off.

Learning to set boundaries on the job might enable you to decline certain requests. Although it may be difficult to say no, figuring out how can make you a better employee.

If you plan to continue working while undergoing treatment, you can make the process easier by planning, preparing, and communicating with your employer and coworkers.

The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act mean that you won’t experience discrimination and your job will be secure after you take time off due to illness.