Cancer in the Workplace Resources

I attended the workshop entitled "Cancer in the Workplace" during the YSC Conference in Atlanta. I've been trying to write this post about it for nearly a week and find myself confused as to what to say. The lecture was extremely informative and I learned a lot.

Quite frankly, I learned that once my COBRA runs out, I'm kind of screwed if I haven't found a new job with medical insurance. I now have the dreaded "pre-existing condition" that makes insurance companies run the other way. I also learned that to disclose your illness is not always necessary, but in certain cases, such as getting an accommodation, it may be beneficial. It all comes down to your personal situation. I would highly recommend researching and speaking to an expert before making any decisions. For this reason, I've listed the links from the workshop handout below.

BTW, that's a picture of me (and cupcake) at the YSC 10th Anniversary closing celebration.

Deb

CANCER IN THE WORKPLACE RESOURCES

COBRA

Gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events.

US Department of Labor
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT (FMLA)

Covered employers must grant employee up to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for certain reasons including medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of serious health condition or to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, parent) with a serious health condition.

US Department of Labor
http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs28.htm

Workplace Fairness
www.workplacefairness.org

Cancer and Careers
www.cancerandcareers.org

Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC)
www.cancerlegalresourcecenter.org

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Prohibits employment discrimination against persons with disabilities by qualified employers and requires those employers to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. The ADA also puts limits on the types of questions employers can ask job applicants and employees about their disabililty.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Q & A About Cancer in the Workplace
www.eeoc.gov/facts/cancer.html

ADA Information Line
www.ada.gov

Job Accommodation Network
www.jan.wvu.edu/