When individuals are diagnosed with cancer, they are often faced with decisions about how to navigate the workplace, including whether to work through treatment or take time off work. Some individuals may find that they need to replace lost wages while taking time off and need information about disability insurance. Others are concerned about disclosing their cancer diagnosis to their employer or a potential employer. Caregivers may also face work-related issues. This page contains legal and practical resources to help individuals effectively navigate employment & workplace issues after a cancer diagnosis.
Our Resources
Chart of State Laws: Employment & Disability Insurance
Quick Guide to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Quick Guide to Reasonable Accommodations
Checklist: Reasonable Accommodations
Quick Guide to Disclosure, Privacy, & Medical Certification Forms
Quick Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Extended Quick Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Quick Guide to How the FMLA Works with Other Benefits
Quick Guide to Disability Insurance
Quick Guide to the Timing of Social Security Disability Insurance & Medicare Benefits
Quick Guide to Medical Marijuana
Triage Cancer Educational Blogs – Employment
CancerFinances.org – Disability Insurance Module
For Health Care Professionals
Our Webinars
Below you will find recordings of past webinars. Check out our upcoming webinars for up-to-date information on these topics here.
Webinar Description
Understanding how federal and state laws, employer policies, and disability insurance work together is key to being able to take time off work, maintain an income, and protect one's job and employer-sponsored health insurance coverage. There are also options for caregivers who need to take time off work. This session will cover the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family & Medical Leave Act, state leave laws, and disability insurance options, and explain how they can work together.
Webinar Description
Disclosure of a cancer diagnosis is a personal decision and there may be ramifications of disclosing. This webinar will discus the psychological aspects of disclosure decisions, the employment rights associated with disclosure, and other aspects to consider of disclosure.
Webinar Description
A cancer diagnosis often brings up questions on how to navigate work and cancer. Regardless of if you are working through treatment or returning to work after taking some time off for treatment, you may have access to federal, state, and employer protections. This webinar will address the relevant laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), state laws, and disclosure and privacy protections.
Webinar Description
Understanding how federal and state laws, employer policies, and disability insurance work together is key to being able to take time off work, maintain an income, and protect your job and employer-sponsored health insurance coverage. There are also options for caregivers who need to take time off work. This session will cover the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family & Medical Leave Act, state leave laws, and disability insurance options, and explain how they can work together for you.
Webinar Description
With cancer treatment often comes side effects. These physical, cognitive, and emotional changes can present challenges at work and in school. This webinar will discuss the practical and legal tools that exist to minimize challenges and cope with side effects.
Disclosure, Privacy & Online Brain
Webinar Description
Get the latest updates on federal, state, and local laws that have an impact on the cancer community, including medical marijuana, death with dignity, and paid leave.
Our Videos
Triage Cancer Presents:
Dealing with Side Effects at Work
Other Resources
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
JAN Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) – Cancer
JAN Accommodation Ideas By Occupation or Industry
Sample Accommodation Request Form Letter
Employee Accommodation Inquiry Letter
Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Under the ADA
Job Applicants and the Americans with Disabilities Act
Disability-Related Inquiries and Medical Examinations of Employees Under the ADA
JAN Disability Disclosure and Employment
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – Disability Discrimination
U.S. Department of Labor – Wage & Hour Division: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
U.S. Department of Labor Model Medical Certification Form – Employee’s Serious Health Condition
U.S. Department of Labor Model Medical Certification Form – Family Member’s Serious Health Condition
U. S. Department of Labor – Employee's Guide to the FMLA
U. S. Department of Labor – Employer's Guide to the FMLA
U.S. Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA): Workers & Families
U.S. Department of Labor – EBSA: COBRA Social Security Administration (SSA)
U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment – Workplace Accommodation Toolkit
Create an online SSA account to view your Social Security statement
Cancer and Careers has several resources that can be very useful for individuals looking for work.
- Free Resume Review Service
- Free Career Coaching
- Job Search Toolkit (free download)
- Professional Development Grants
Flexjobs.com is a paid service designed to help job seekers find legitimate flexible jobs (e.g., part-time, telecommuting, etc.).