42 PROFESSIONAL WOMANS MULTICULTURAL MAGAZINE WWW.PROFESSIONALWOMANMAG.COM
CAREERS
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ccording to the American Cancer Society, there are more than 3.8 million breast cancer survi- vors in the United States; this includes people still being treated and those who have completed treat- ment. Many survivors find that continuing to work through cancer treatment aids in their recovery. Based on my personal experience, I agree with this notion. Ability to work during treatment can be influ- enced by the type of treatment received (e.g., chemo, radiation, etc.), the stage of cancer, the individuals overall wellbeing and the kind of work the individ- ual does. The availability and effectiveness of work- place supports, also known as job accommodations, can also significantly impact a survivor's ability to continue working. Being supported in the workplace makes it easier to remember who you are, apart from the cancer. It allows you to continue contributing at work and get on with living . The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to provide reasonable accom- modations that are needed because of limitations caused by cancer, the side effects of medication or treatment for cancer or both. The objective in providing accommodations is to make adjustments that enable an employee to perform essential job duties, or access benefits and privileges of
Workplace Supports for Employees with Breast Cancer
By Tracie DeFreitas
employment. Accommodations that are commonly requested by employees with breast cancer, such as a modified/flexible schedule, ergonomic equipment and telework, are also workplace supports that many employers make available to all employees, for reasons that are unrelated to disability - often to achieve a healthy balance between managing life and work. These adjustments not only benefit employ- ees with cancer, but benefit employers as well, by increasing employee presence and leading to less worry about when and how work will be completed. In my own experience, I took a couple days of leave for surgery and was able to schedule all cancer treatments to occur before my work day started, but my employer allowed me the flexibility to modify my schedule, if needed. Remember though, each individuals accommodation needs will be different and will sometimes depend on access to treatment and the effects of treatment. I had access to medical care where I lived and worked, which made it easier for me to seek treatment outside of my work schedule. Not everyone is this fortunate. Some employees may need to flex their arrival/ departure time to receive treatment, make-up time missed, schedule longer days to work a shortened work week, telework while recovering or use accrued or unpaid leave in order to travel to receive treatment. These and other types of adjustments can positively impact health outcomes by freeing individuals from the worry of choosing when and how to obtain treat- ment in order to stay employed. Local and systemic breast cancer treatments can cause short and long-term side effects that can impact the performance of job duties, for some people. These effects can include nausea and vomiting; fatigue and weakness; loss of appetite; skin irritations; loss of hair; lymphedema; pain and numbness; tempera- ture sensitivity; diarrhea and difficulty with mem- ory and concentration (e.g., chemo brain). Many of these limitations can easily be accommodated. Accommodations for employees with breast cancer range widely, but some examples include: ! Working a flexible/modified schedule or making- up time missed for treatment, appointments, etc. ! Working a reduced/part-time schedule or changing a shift ! Using accrued paid leave, or unpaid leave under the ADA and/or federal and state leave laws, and modifying an attendance policy to allow disability-related absences ! Parking closer to the work-site ! Working from home, as-needed, or on a regular basis ! Modifying a dress code to allow wearing a scarf, hat, unrestrictive clothing ! Reducing visual and auditory distractions ! Taking breaks for mental and physical fatigue ! Restructuring a job so the most difficult tasks are performed at the time of day the employee has the most mental and/or physical energy or stamina ! Designating uninterrupted time for tasks that require significant concentration ! Using ergonomic equipment to accommodate tightness or pain in the upper region of the body ! Modifying work-site temperature Researchers continue to search for ways to pre- vent, treat and cure breast cancer. Were reminded every October of the ongoing race to save lives. With employer support, open communication about per- formance expectations, accommodations and good planning, employees with breast cancer can be bet- ter equipped for survival and success at work and in life. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) can support employers and survivors in this effort by offering ADA technical assistance and accommoda- tion guidance.
Source: JAN (Job Accommodation Network)
With employer support, open communication about performance expectations, accommodations and good planning, employees with breast cancer can be better equipped for survival and success at work and in life."
-Tracie DeFreitas
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