Balancing work & Colorectal Cancer - August 2017 Webinar

Balancing Colorectal Cancer

and Employment

Our webinar will begin shortly.

WELCOME!

• Speaker: Nicole Jarvis, LMSW

• Archived Webinars:

FightCRC.org/webinars

• AFTER THE WEBINAR: Expect an email

with links to the material & a survey. If you

fill it out, we’ll send you an “I booty”

bracelet

• Follow along via Twitter – use the hashtag

#CRCWebinar be part of the dialog and

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Today’s Webinar:

@FightCRC | FightCRC.org

Webinar tech:

• We are using LogMeIn GoToWebinar platform

• The side control panel can be adjusted using the Orange Arrow

• Questions are asked by opening the Questions tab – the arrow opens the box

• Not all questions are addressed during the presentation depending on time and quantity but if necessary will be followed up individually

• If you are new to GoToWebinar and experience streaming problems you should shut down other high bandwidth services such as Facebook, IM or hangout systems during presentation

• The Audio tab allows you to select either your computer or phone to listen.

Resources:

Disclaimer:

The information and services provided by Fight Colorectal

Cancer are for general informational purposes only. The

information and services are not intended to be substitutes

for professional medical advice, diagnoses or treatment.

If you are ill, or suspect that you are ill, see a doctor

immediately. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest

emergency room.

Fight Colorectal Cancer never recommends or endorses any

specific physicians, products or treatments for any condition.

Speaker:

Nicole Jarvis joined the Cancer and Careers team in October

of 2015 as a Manager of Programs. She manages the 13

annual Cancer and Careers webinars, Blog, Newsfeed, and

Professional Development Micro-Grants program in addition

to assisting with the regional and national conferences.

Nicole provides direct support and referrals to the many

patients, survivors and healthcare professionals who reach

out to the organization, both via phone and email.

Nicole received her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from

the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a focus on

women’s health. Following graduation, she worked at

Memorial Sloan Kettering for four years in the chemotherapy

unit and for a renal oncologist, until attaining her Master of

Social Work degree from Hunter College, in 2013. Prior to

joining Cancer and Careers, Nicole worked for 3 years as a

social worker in the child welfare arena, advocating for

parents in family court.

© Cancer and Careers 2016

Nicole Jarvis, LMSWManager of Programs, Cancer and Careers

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 2017 Cancer and Careers and where specified Triage Cancer

Balancing Work & Cancer



CANCER AND CAREERSCancer and Careers, founded in 2001, is a national nonprofit

that empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in

their work environment by providing expert advice, interactive

tools and educational events. All programs and services

provided to patients, survivors, healthcare professionals and

caregivers are offered free of charge.

• CancerAndCareers.org

• Publications in English and Spanish

• Job Search Tools and Resume Review

• Professional Development Micro-Grants

• Accredited Programs for Healthcare

Professionals

• CancerAndCareers.org/espanol

• Balancing Work & Cancer Webinars

• Community Events

• National and Regional Conferences

• Career Coaching



DIAGNOSIS / WORK DILEMMA



TO WORK OR NOT TO WORK?

• 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 work priorities changed?



INFORMATION NEEDS

• Treatment Options

• Timeline

• Potential Side Effects

• Mitigation Strategies

Medical and Treatment

Info

• Insurance Support

• Company Policies & Culture

• Workplace Flexibilities

• Job Demands

Work Info

Legal Info

• Federal & State Laws

• Medical Leave

• Disability Insurance

• Health Insurance



EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

Federal Fair Employment Laws

- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• Discrimination protections for patients and caregivers

• Reasonable Accommodations for patients

- Rehabilitation Act of 1973

State Fair Employment Laws

• Discrimination protections for patients and caregivers

• Reasonable Accommodations for patients

Employment Contracts

• Employment Contract

• Union Contract

© Triage Cancer 2016© Triage Cancer 2017


Enforced by: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission www.EEOC.gov

Eligibility:

• Private employers with 15 or more employees & State/Local Governments

- Note: Federal employees covered by Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (similar to ADA)

- ADA does not apply to tribal employers

• Be a “qualified individual”

• “Can perform essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation”

• Have a disability under the ADA’s definition

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

(ADA)

© Triage Cancer 2017

http://www.eeoc.gov/


DISCLOSURE RIGHTS

Generally, not required, but may need to

disclose information to use . . .

• ADA’s discrimination protections

• Reasonable accommodations

• Medical leave


http://triagecancer.org/QuickGuide-Disclosure

http://triagecancer.org/QuickGuide-Disclosure


EMPLOYERS GOOGLE

• 32% found information that

caused them to hire a candidate

• 41% use social networking sites to

research current employees

• 32% use search engines to check

up on current employees

• 26% have found content online

that has caused them to

reprimand or fire an employee

Source:

http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2016/04/2

8/37823/


http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2016/04/28/37823/


PRIVACY SETTINGS



• Popular social media websites are not designed to offer high levels of privacy

• MyLifeline or CaringBridge– Opt into highest level of privacy

– Consider who you want to be part of this community

– Think before you share posts from these sites to other social media

• In general, review privacy policies for any website you are sharing personal info on

ONLINE PRIVACY

*Maintaining Online Privacy

http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/resource/charts-and-checklists


http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/resource/charts-and-checklists


ONLINE FOOTPRINT

• Make conscious disclosure decisions

– Then communicate those decisions

– What are other people saying about you?

• Long-term impact

• Volunteer gigs & jobs in the cancer community

(and what they might say about you)



• Use popular social media websites to strategically increase your online

presence

– LinkedIn

– Twitter

– Instagram

– Pinterest

• Think deliberately about what you post

– Would I want a boss—current or future—or coworkers to know this?

– Would I want this on the front page of a newspaper (or the home page of my favorite

news site)?

– Would I want my grandmother or mother to see this?

• Set up a professional webpage or blog

• Delete old posts that no longer represent your interests

– Though they may still exist somewhere in the online space, they become harder to

find

BUILDING A PROFESSIONAL

ONLINE BRAND



Control the Message

• Should you tell?

• Who should you tell?

• When should you tell?

– Timing is everything

• How much should you share?

• How should you share it?

SHARING A DIAGNOSIS AT WORK


*CAC Manager’s Kit


• Pain

• Hair Loss

• Fatigue

• Weight Changes

• Skin Changes

TREATMENT SIDE EFFECTS IN THE WORKPLACE



“CHEMO BRAIN” AT WORKStudies show only 2% of people multi-task effectively



ON-THE-JOB STRATEGIES

• Identify a point person

• Communication is key

– Ask for priorities

• Create a written plan

– Know your limits and set boundaries

• “I appreciate that you thought of me for this project but I’m a bit swamped

this week, and am concerned about my ability to get this back to you in a

timely manner.”

• “Thank you for offering me these additional shifts. Unfortunately, I’m short

on time at the moment as I’ve got some family obligations to attend to.

But I’d love to talk about this possibility again in a few months, once the

situation at home has settled down.”



“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

• Phone, files within easy reach

• Switching offices

• Office vs. cubicle

• Special furniture requests

• Hand controls on cars

MODIFYING WORK SPACE



Manipulate Work Schedule

• Working from home

• Part or full-time

• Flexible schedule

• Schedule breaks

• Extended leave

MODIFYING SCHEDULE

Source: Wrike Survey 2012



• Use of Technology

– Ex: speak/type software

• Change in Policy

– Ex: supermarket clerk

• Shift Job Responsibilities

– Ex: recess duty

– Occupational/vocational therapy/rehabilitation

• Change Job

– Ex: move to an open position

– Job training

OTHER OPTIONS

© Cancer and Careers & Triage Cancer 2017


• 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 AN EXISTING JOB



THE SWIVEL


My uncle had cancer . . .

• “I’m sorry to hear that, it must have been hard . . .

(AND) . . . What did you think about the meeting

that we had yesterday?”

How are you feeling?

• “Really excited to be back! In fact, I have a few

questions about the new time-card system. Do

you have a minute to answer them?”


• Phases of a job search

• Networking

• Job Application

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• First Interview

• Additional Interviews

• Offer Letter

• Hired!

JOB SEARCHING IS LIKE DATING



NETWORKING

• 85% of jobs are found through networking

• Networking sources:

- Websites such as LinkedIn Write a compelling profile; include photo

Ask for substantive recommendations

Post status updates regularly

Join “groups” and participate actively

- Former colleagues and vendors

- Friends, neighbors, fellow volunteers,

members of support groups

- Professional associations

- Doctors, lawyers, dentists, accountants


http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/linkedin

http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/linkedin


• Resumes

• 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

• Cover Letters

• Make it personal

• Don’t waste reader’s time

• Sell yourself

• Proof your letter

• Follow-up

EFFECTIVE RESUMES & COVER

LETTERS

*CAC Free Resume Review Service



THE SWIVEL

Can you tell me what you were doing during this gap on

your resume?

• “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.”


*MOCK INTERVIEW


MORE SWIVELING

I noticed on your LinkedIn profile that you’re a member of a lot of

cancer-related groups. Are you a cancer survivor?

• “Like most people, I’ve been touched by cancer, and finding a way to give back

is very important to me. Plus, all my volunteer work has given me the

opportunity to develop some valuable skills that I think would be applicable

here, including X, Y, Z.”

When I Googled your name, an article came up in which you were

interviewed about being diagnosed with cancer. Are you still

experiencing any problems or health needs?

• “Thank you for taking so much interest in me. The opportunity to speak to the

press gave me some incredible new skills that I think would be very relevant to

this role, including X,Y, Z.”



RESEARCHING AN EMPLOYER

• Company benefits

• How have they treated other employees in the

past?

• How large is the company? Will the ADA apply?

• Discrimination lawsuits

• Do they have employee programs? (e.g., EAP,

affinity programs)

• Other information that can help identify their

workplace culture (e.g., www.glassdoor.com,

www.linkedin.com)



• 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



MORE FROM CAC


Resume Review Servicewww.cancerandcareers.org/resume_reviews/new

Webinar: Privacy, Disclosure & Online Brand – September 13th

http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/events/webinar-disclosure

Webinar: Working Through Treatment – October 11th

http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/events/webinar-

treatment

Free Publicationshttp://www.cancerandcareers.org/publication_orders/new

Professional Development Micro-Grant Program – Application period

opening on October 2nd

http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/resource/micro-grants

http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resume_reviews/new

http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/events/webinar-disclosure

http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/events/webinar-treatment

http://www.cancerandcareers.org/publication_orders/new

http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/resource/micro-grants


ADDITIONAL RESOURCESTriage Cancer

• Educational Blog (http://TriageCancer.org/Blog)

• Events (http://TriageCancer.org/Events-Calendar)

• Cancer Survivorship Webinar Series (http://TriageCancer.org/Webinars)

• State Resources (http://TriageCancer.org/Resources/StateResources)

• Quick Guides

• State Resource Contact Information

Employment Rights & Options:• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission www.EEOC.gov

• Job Accommodation Network www.AskJan.org

• U.S. Department of Labor (COBRA) www.dol.gov/EBSA

• U.S. Department of Labor (FMLA) www.DOL.gov/WHD

• FlexJobs www.flexjobs.com

• Workplace Transitions: www.workplacetransitions.org

Legal Assistance:• Cancer Legal Line http://cancerlegalline.org/

• National Cancer Legal Services Network www.NCLSN.org

• LawHelp www.lawhelp.org

• Lawyer Referral Service http://apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/lris/directory


http://www.triagecancer.org/Blog

http://triagecancer.org/Events-Calendar

http://www.triagecancer.org/Webinars

http://www.triagecancer.org/StateResources

http://www.eeoc.gov/

http://www.askjan.org/

http://www.dol.gov/EBSA

http://www.dol.gov/WHD

http://www.flexjobs.com/

http://www.workplacetransitions.org/

http://cancerlegalline.org/

http://www.ncsln.org/

http://www.lawhelp.org/

http://apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/lris/directory/


Nicole Jarvis, LMSW

[email protected]

www.CancerandCareers.org

Twitter

@CancerAndCareer

Facebook

www.Facebook.com/CancerandCareers

Newsletter

www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/newsletter

CONTACT INFORMATION


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.cancerandcareers.org/

http://www.facebook.com/CancerandCareers

http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/newsletter

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Balancing work & Colorectal Cancer - August 2017 Webinar