Employment
Wondering how to work through medical treatment or take time off and pay for it? How to manage side effects at work, or what you have to tell an employer about your medical condition? Are you a caregiver of a family member diagnosed with a chronic or serious medical condition? These resources will teach you about the laws that may protect you, and how to use them most effectively.
While these materials and resources are designed for individuals diagnosed with cancer, caregivers, and health care professionals, they are helpful to anyone with a serious medical condition, or anyone who wants to learn about their rights.
If you are a health care professional interested in ordering free, bulk copies of our resources please email us at TriageHealth@TriageCancer.org.
If you are looking for more information on disability insurance, see our Disability Insurance Resource Hub.
Working Through Treatment
Did you know that there are laws that may protect you and help you work through medical treatment? In this section, we cover the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), state laws that may provide additional help, and other practical information you need to manage work and serious or chronic illness.
Quick Guides, Checklists, & Other Materials
- Quick Guide to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Quick Guide to the ADA & Reasonable Accommodations
- Quick Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Expanded Quick Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Quick Guide to How the FMLA Works with Other Benefits
- Quick Guide to Disclosure, Privacy, & Medical Certification Forms
- Quick Guide to Managing Side Effects at Work
- Quick Guide to “Chemo Brain”
- Quick Guide to Medical Marijuana
- Checklist: Reasonable Accommodations
- Reasonable Accommodations Tracking Form
- Practical Guides to Cancer Rights
Chart of State Laws
Understanding state laws related to work and cancer is important because state laws may be more protective than federal laws. Explore our Chart of State Laws related to Employment.
Animated Videos & Webinars
- Animated Video: Dealing with Side Effects at Work (4:59)
- Webinar: Decisions About Work: Accommodations, Leave, Disability, & Retirement
- Webinar: Managing Side Effects at Work & in School
- Webinar: Disclosure After a Cancer Diagnosis
Cancer Finances
CancerFinances.org is an interactive toolkit for navigating finances after cancer. Make informed decisions about finances, work, and cancer, by using our Employment Module. Get directed to the information most relevant to you based on where you work and where you live.
Taking Time Off Work
After a medical diagnosis, you may need to take time off for treatment. But, how do you keep your job and your income? These free materials and resources will help you understand your options and learn about the laws that may protect you and your job.
Quick Guides, Checklists, & Other Materials
- Quick Guide to the ADA & Reasonable Accommodations
- Quick Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Expanded Quick Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Quick Guide to How the FMLA Works with Other Benefits
- Quick Guide to Disclosure, Privacy, & Medical Certification Forms
- Checklist: Reasonable Accommodations
- Reasonable Accommodations Tracking Form
- Practical Guides to Cancer Rights
Chart of State Laws
Understanding state laws related to work and medical issues is important because state laws may be more protective than federal laws. Explore our Chart of State Laws Related to Taking Time Off, and Unemployment Benefits.
Cancer Finances
CancerFinances.org is an interactive toolkit for navigating finances after cancer. Make informed decisions about finances, work, and cancer, by using our Employment Module. Get directed to the information most relevant to you based on where you work and where you live.
Animated Videos, Webinars, & Podcasts
- Animated Video: How to Take Time Off and Pay For It (4:59)
- Podcast: How to Triage Cancer – Taking Time Off Work (13:53 – no subscription required)
- Webinar: Decisions About Work: Accommodations, Leave, Disability, & Retirement
- Webinar: Managing Side Effects at Work & in School
Disability Insurance
For more information about disability insurance, see our Disability Insurance Resource Hub.
Returning to Work
Heading back to your current job after taking time off? Applying for jobs after a serious health issues, but not sure how to manage ongoing medical appointments or sharing your diagnosis? Wondering about what your rights are when you return to work? These materials and resources will help you understand the legal protections that may be available to you no matter where you're at in your career.
Quick Guides, Checklists, & Other Materials
- Quick Guide to Returning to Work
- Quick Guides to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Quick Guide to the ADA & Reasonable Accommodations
- Quick Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Extended Quick Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Quick Guide to Disclosure, Privacy, & Medical Certification Forms
- Checklist: Reasonable Accommodations
- Reasonable Accommodations Tracking Form
- Practical Guides to Cancer Rights
Chart of State Laws
Understanding state laws related to work and medical issues is important because state laws may be more protective than federal laws. Explore our Chart of State Laws related to Employment.
Cancer Finances
CancerFinances.org is an interactive toolkit for navigating finances after cancer. Make informed decisions about finances, work, and cancer, by using our Employment Module. Get directed to the information most relevant to you based on where you work and where you live.
Webinars
- Animated Video: Dealing with Side Effects at Work (5:49)
- Webinar: Decisions About Work: Accommodations, Leave, Disability, & Retirement
- Webinar: Managing Side Effects at Work & in School
Leaving Work
When dealing with a serious medical diagnosis and treatment, it can be difficult to work. You may find that you need to take time off, for a short period of time, for a longer period of time, or stop working entirely. You may also find yourself experiencing a loss of employment unrelated to cancer, such as when an employer goes out of business. These free materials and resources will help you make informed choices as you consider your next steps.
Quick Guides, Checklists, & Other Resources
- Quick Guide to Leaving Work
- Quick Guide to Losing Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance
- Quick Guide to Taxes and Disability & Retirement Benefits
Disability Insurance
For more information on disability insurance, see our Disability Insurance Resource Hub.
Animated Videos, Podcast, & Webinars
- Animated Video: Options When Losing Insurance at Work (6:15)
- Podcast: How to Triage Cancer – Options When Losing Insurance at Work (10:15, no subscription required)
- Webinar: Decisions About Work: Accommodations, Leave, Disability, & Retirement
Disclosing Your Cancer Diagnosis
Deciding if and when to disclose your medical diagnosis to your employer, friends, and family, is a deeply personal decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. These free materials and resources will help you understand your rights at work, and practical things to consider when making disclosure decisions.
Quick Guides, Checklists, & Other Materials
Cancer Finances
CancerFinances.org is an interactive toolkit for navigating finances after cancer. Make informed decisions about finances, work, and cancer, by using our Employment Module. Get directed to the information most relevant to you based on where you work and where you live.
For Health Care Professionals
Animated Videos & Webinars
- Animated Video: Privacy Choices After a Cancer Diagnosis (5:08)
- Webinar: Disclosure After a Cancer Diagnosis
Employee Benefits
Many employers offer employees benefits beyond what they are required to under the law. If you're searching for a new job, returning to an existing job, or considering making changes to your health insurance, use these free resources to help make informed decisions!
Quick Guides, Checklists, & Other Materials
- Quick Guide to Losing Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance
- Quick Guide to COBRA
- Quick Guide to How Medicare & COBRA Work Together
- Checklist to Making the Most of Employee Benefits During Open Enrollment
- Checklist to Employee Benefits During a Job Search
- Practical Guides to Cancer Rights
Cancer Finances
CancerFinances.org is an interactive toolkit for navigating finances after cancer. Make informed decisions about finances, work, and cancer, by using our Employment module and our Health Insurance module.
Animated Videos & Webinars
- Animated Video: Options When Losing Insurance at Work (6:15)
- Webinar: Employment Rights After a Cancer Diagnosis
- Webinar: Understanding Health Insurance
Caregivers
Caregivers may find the need to balance work and caregiving. It is important to understand the employment laws and protections that may be available to help. These free materials and resources will explain your potential options for taking time off work, paid leave, and much more.
Quick Guides, Checklists, & Other Materials
- Quick Guide to Caregiving
- Quick Guide to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Quick Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Extended Quick Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Quick Guide to State Paid Family Leave Programs
- Practical Guide to Cancer Rights for Caregivers
Cancer Finances
Make informed decisions about finances, work, and caregiving, by using our Caregiving module.
More Caregiving Resources
For more free caregiving resources, visit our Caregiving Resource Hub.
Animated Videos & Webinars
- Animated Video: Supporting Caregivers (6:10)
More Tools
ADA & Accommodations Resources
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
- JAN Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) – Cancer
- Employees' Practical Guide to Requesting and Negotiating Reasonable Accommodations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Work at Home/Telework as a Reasonable Accommodation
- 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's Office of Disability Employment – Workplace Accommodation Toolkit
- NCCN Employer Toolkit
FMLA Resources
- U.S. Department of Labor – Wage & Hour Division: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- U.S. Department of Labor FMLA Model Medical Certification Form – Employee’s Serious Health Condition
- U.S. Department of Labor FMLA 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
Job Search Resources
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.).
ADA & FMLA Resources
Workplace Protections for Individuals Impacted by Cancer