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Colorectal Cancer: On Disability

When You Return To Work

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When you return to work:

  • Let people know how you want to be treated. For instance, you may still not be able to work a full schedule, or you may need help accomplishing certain tasks, or you may need an accommodation such as being stationed close to a bathroom for a while. If you need an accommodation, you may be entitled to a reasonable one. Even if you are not entitled to it, you can negotiate for it. (Survivorship A to Z tells you how in the document in "To Learn More").

  • Let people you work with closely know that you are not up to par yet physically or mentally. They may expect you to be back to your pre-diagnosis self and performance right away.

  • Tell your boss about continuing physical or mental difficulties you are experiencing as a result of the diagnosis or treatment. Ask for an accommodation to help you do your work. You are likely entitled to one under the Americans With Disabilities Act.. The document in "To Learn More" provides tips about negotiating for an accommodation.

    Start keeping a Work Journal in case you ultimately feel as if you are discriminated against because of your health condition. A journal only take a few minutes to keep, and can be invaluable if you ultimately feel you have a claim.

  • People may need to be reminded that cancer is not catching or that you are not dying.

  • People who return to work after treatment often become the "go to" person when a co-worker or a friend of a co-worker has any type of cancer. If this happens to you, set limits and let people know what they are.

    If you have an ostomy, it's up to you to decide whether to disclose it to other people or not. To learn more, click here.

    Read our document: Work: Starting At A New Employer: A Primer

  • If you have difficulties, read:If The Attempted Return To Work Is Not Successful.


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