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Benefits and Pensions Monitor

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Breast Cancer Comes To Work

How Can I Accommodate Employees?

Many women with breast cancer opt to stay at work during treatment. This decision is good for the workplace, as their valuable skills and experience are not lost. However, employee accommodations will be required. Some employees with cancer may need one or more of the following:

• Time off for doctor’s appointments, radiation, or chemotherapy sessions
• Recuperation time after treatment
• Periodic breaks in a private area to rest or take medications
• Adjustments to the work schedule or permission to work at home
• Access to a private work telephone to call doctors or schedule appointments
• Shift changes to facilitate doctor’s appointments or treatment times
• Possible reassignment to another, less strenuous, position

An example of an accommodation is when a bank teller arrives at work after chemotherapy treatments wearing a scarf on her head because she has lost her hair. Even though the bank has a policy of not letting employees wear hats, this may be a situation where a reasonable accommodation is required until her hair grows back.

Even if an employee has voluntarily disclosed that she has cancer, an employer cannot ask any questions about its prognosis or treatment. Medical documentation as to her condition cannot be requested. Only questions relating to her ability to handle certain tasks are permitted. For example, you could ask ‘Are you able to travel out of town?’ or ‘Can you work rotating shifts?’

Fortunately, the prognosis for breast cancer is positive. Better quality mammography and organized breast screening programs have led to more breast cancers being detected earlier, which means successful treatment. Employers and HR professionals can play an important role by encouraging all employees to be regularly screened for breast cancer and by accommodating and supporting those employees who have been diagnosed with the disease. ■

Caroline Tapp-McDougall is the publisher of Solutions: Canada’s Family Guide to Home Health Care and Wellness and the author of The Complete Canadian Eldercare Guide

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