2014 Ovarian Cancer National Conference: Balancing Work & Cancer

1© Copyright 2014 Cancer and Careers
Balancing Work & Cancer
7/13/14
Rebecca V. Nellis
Vice President of Programs and Strategy,
Cancer and Careers
BALANCING
WORK & CANCER
This presentation is intended to provide general information on the topics presented. It is provided with the
understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering any legal, medical, or professional services by its
publication or distribution. Although this content was reviewed by a professional, it should not be used as a substitute
for professional services. © Copyright 2014 Cancer and Careers
Cancer and Careers empowers and educates people
with cancer to thrive in their work environment by
providing expert advice, interactive tools and
educational events.
• CancerAndCareers.org
• Publications in English and Spanish
• Job Search Tools
• Accredited Programs for Healthcare
Professionals
• CancerAndCareers.org/es
• Ask The Experts Teleconferences
• Community Events
• National and Regional
Conferences
CANCER AND CAREERS

7/13/14
Diagnosis
and
Work
Treatment
Choices
Emotional
Choices
Practical
Choices
Strategic
Choices
DIAGNOSIS/WORK DILEMMA
• How will treatment affect work and schedule?
• What are job demands, physical and mental?
• How flexible is the work environment?
• Can accommodations be made?
• What are the financial and health insurance
concerns?
• How is identity connected to work?
• Have career priorities changed?
TO WORK OR NOT TO WORK

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INFORMATION NEEDS
• Treatment Options
• Timeline
• Potential Side Effects
• Mitigation Strategies
Medical and
Treatment
Info
• Insurance Support
• Company Policies
• Workplace Flexibilities
• Job Demands
Work Info
Legal Info
• Federal & State Laws
• Medical Leave
• Disability Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Open and forthcoming
• Discuss job, including schedule and
demands
• Discuss priorities for returning to work
• Share concerns about treatment and side
effects that impact ability to work
• Medical Certification
PATIENT / HEALTHCARE TEAM
COMMUICATION

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EMPLOYER POLICIES
• Employee Benefits
– Health/dental/vision insurance
– Short-term and/or long-term disability insurance
– Life and/or accidental death insurance
• Other Benefits
– Sick time
– Vacation time or paid time off (PTO)
– Pool of donated hours
– Flex time/job sharing
– Telecommuting
• Medical Leave Process
Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Discrimination protections for patients and caregivers
• Reasonable Accommodations for patients
State Fair Employment Laws
• Discrimination protections for patients and caregivers
• Reasonable Accommodations for patients
Employment Contracts
• Employment Contract
• Independent Contractor’s Contract
• Union Contract
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS
© Triage Cancer 2014

7/13/14
Eligibility
• Private employers with 15 or more employees
& State/Local Governments
- Note: Federal employees covered by
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (similar to ADA)
• Be a “qualified individual”
• Have a disability under the ADA’s definition
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
(ADA)
DISCLOSURE RIGHTS
Generally, not required, but may need
to disclose information to use . . .
• ADA’s discrimination protections
• Reasonable accommodations
• Medical leave

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Control the Message
• Should you tell?
• Who should you tell?
• When should you tell?
• How much should you share?
• How should you share it?
SHARING A DIAGNOSIS
AT WORK
• Disclosure decisions
• Social media usage
• Employers Google candidates
ONLINE BRAND

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PRIVACY SETTINGS

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• MyLifeline or CaringBridge
• Long-term impact
• What are your grandparents saying about
you?
• Relationships & dating
• Volunteer gigs & jobs in the cancer community
(and what they might say about you)
ONLINE BRAND
• Pain
• Hair Loss
• “Chemo Brain”
• Fatigue
• Weight Changes
• Skin Changes
TREATMENT SIDE EFFECTS
IN THE WORKPLACE

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http://gmayahoocom/video/gma-robin-roberts-recovery-road-080000080.html
CASE STUDY: ROBIN ROBERTS
• Maintaining focus
• Identify a point person
• Know your limits and set boundaries
ON-THE-JOB STRATEGIES

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“An accommodation is any change in the work
environment or in the way things are customarily
done that enables an individual with a disability
to enjoy equal employment opportunities”
WHAT ARE REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATIONS?
• Identify Challenges
• Manipulate Work Space
- Printer, phone, fax, files within easy reach
- Switching offices
- Special furniture requests
MODIFYING WORK SPACE

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Manipulate Work Schedule
• Working from home
• Part or full-time
• Flexible schedule
• Schedule breaks
• Extended leave
MODIFYING SCHEDULE
• Use of Technology
– Ex: smartphone or tablet
• Change in Policy
– Ex: valet using restroom at the
front of hotel
• Shift Job Responsibilities
– Ex: water cooler
• Change Job
– Ex: move to an open position
OTHER OPTIONS

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• Are you still in treatment? If so, for how long
and how often?
• What are your financial needs?
• What is your psychological mindset?
• Does it make sense to go back to your former
job?
• If not your former job, should you try to stay at
your employer?
DECIDING TO RETURN TO WORK
• What kind of flexibility exists in your former
job?
• Can you still do the work?
• Do you still want to do the work?
• What if they always see you as a person
with cancer?
RETURNING TO A FORMER JOB

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THE SWIVEL
My uncle had cancer . . .
• “Thank you for sharing that . . . (AND) . . . While
I have you, do you have a few minutes to talk
about our project that is due next week?”
• “I’m sorry to hear that, it must have been hard . .
. (AND) . . . What did you think about the
meeting that we had yesterday?”
• 85% of jobs are found through networking
• Networking sources:
- On-line social networking Websites - LinkedIn
- Previous colleagues and vendors
- Friends, neighbors, fellow church members
- Professional associations
- Doctors, lawyers, dentists, accountants
NETWORKING

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• Write a compelling profile
• Do put your photo here
• Ask for substantive recommendations
• Post status updates regularly
• Join a few groups and participate actively
LINKEDIN TIPS
• Written with the audience in mind
• A succinct summary of capabilities and
accomplishments
• Easy to read and understand
• Style chosen for circumstances and desired impact
• Future focused and targeted toward career goal
CREATING AN EFFECTIVE RESUME

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• Open with a bang
• Make it personal
• Don’t waste reader’s time
• Sell yourself
• Use bullets
• Explain the next step
• Proof your letter
• Follow-up
COVER LETTERS / EMAIL
THE SWIVEL
• “I was dealing with a family issue that is resolved
now AND I am thrilled to discuss how my
management skills can build the team and grow
your business.”
• “I realized that what I was doing didn’t fulfill me
so I took a step back to think about what would
make me happy AND I think my tech background
would really be an asset not just for this role but
for the company as a whole.”

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• Research the company and the interviewer
• Prepare and practice answers
• Tell stories and use examples
• Keep composed despite interviewer’s quirks
• Summarize what happened
• Prepare to close the deal
INTERVIEWING EFFECTIVELY
• Benefits
• How have they treated other employees in
the past?
• Discrimination lawsuits
• Do they have employee programs?
- EAP, affinity programs, etc.
• Other info that can help identify their
workplace culture
www.glassdoor.com
RESEARCHING AN EMPLOYER

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EXERCISE: INTERVIEWS
How would you respond if
posed these questions in a
job interview?
• How do you assimilate?
• How do you handle it if you are still in
treatment?
• Managing your energy
• How can you succeed?
• Asking for accommodations
WORKING IN A NEW JOB WITH
A NEW EMPLOYER

7/13/14
Employment Rights:
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) www.EEOC.gov
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN) www.AskJan.org
• U.S. Department of Labor (COBRA) www.dol.gov/EBSA
• U.S. Department of Labor (FMLA) www.DOL.gov/WHD
Health Insurance Info/Options:
• www.TriageCancer.org
• www.HealthCare.gov
• www.Medicare.gov
Disability Insurance Options:
• Social Security Administration: www.SSA.gov
Legal Assistance:
• National Cancer Legal Services Network www.NCLSN.org
• LawHelp www.lawhelp.org
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Rebecca V. Nellis
RNellis@CEW.org
www.CancerandCareers.org
Twitter
@CancerAndCareer
@RebeccaNellis
Facebook
www.Facebook.com/CancerandCareers
Newsletter
www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/newsletter
CONTACT INFORMATION

2014 Ovarian Cancer National Conference: Balancing Work & Cancer

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2014 Ovarian Cancer National Conference: Balancing Work & Cancer