Hi Stephanie,

Thanks so much for reaching out to Cancer and Careers, and congratulations on what sounds like a really promising and exciting opportunity. Your concerns about if and what to share are totally valid. Disclosure can be really tricky and I understand feeling uncomfortable since your friend is involved in connecting you with this position, so you're straddling a personal and professional relationship. You’ve obviously been through a great deal since you originally heard about, and showed interest in, this position. With that said, I’d encourage you to consider what sharing this information, ultimately your diagnosis and treatment history, would mean for you. It sounds like there are still a numer of unknowns in terms of your treatment protocol and timeline. This gives me some pause in terms of how much you should share at this point as there seem to be many 'what ifs'. The problem with sharing information that is still a what if, is that it could turn out to be totally different than anticipated and there’s no way to retract that information since it’s ‘out there’. From what you’ve shared, it does sound like you’re ready and motivated to work, you have the skillset and this is a good position for you. I encourage going into this process remembering that you are a good candidate for this position and you are passionate about the work, instead of proceeding forward with a focus on the what if’s, because at this point you don’t know for sure that you can’t fulfill the responsibilities of this role!

The decision is ultimately up to you in terms of if, what, and how much to share, but it’s a good idea to consider what benefit there is to sharing such information. Are you looking for flexibility in your work schedule? Perhaps before divulging personal information, you take advantage of the fact that you know someone that is with the company who can give you a better sense of what is offered in terms of flexibilities, policies, benefits, etc. It’s totally reasonable to inquire about those aspects when interviewing for a job so it won’t be a red flag (just don’t focus too much on those things). In terms of what you want to share with your friend, that’s also something you’ll need to consider in terms of what you think is necessary for her to know, what you feel comfortable sharing with her, and if there are any negative consequences of sharing with her. Additionally, are you sharing with her on a personal level, as a friend who may be looking for some support? Or as a potential colleague who you feel should know to account for any issues with your work? Again, these are just some things to consider as you figure out your disclosure decisions.

 An important reminder for most people with a cancer diagnosis is that omitting is NOT lying! Many people who reach out to CAC feel that by not sharing their health history with a potential or current employer, they are lying. The fact is, no one shares everything with an employer, and it’s important to keep that in mind as you are making decisions around disclosure at work.

 I’d encourage you to take a look at some of the resources available on our website that might be helpful:

• Our article on Managing Disclosure When Looking for a Job
  


• The recordings of our Disclosure, Privacy & Online Brand and Communicating Effectively webinars


• Our blog post on Disclosure in the Workplace: When is it Appropriate?
  


• Though you may not need them, it’s always a good idea to understand the laws that can provide protection in the workplace – for a general overview, take a look at our article on Your Legal Rights in the Workplace: Cancer and the ADA, FMLA, Etc.
  

 Again, there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to decisions around disclosure, it’s really about understanding the costs and benefits of sharing and recognizing what is important to you, personally, to share.

 I’m happy to discuss further if you are looking for more guidance. Feel free to email cancerandcareers@cew.org with any questions or further requests!

Best,

Nicole Jarvis, LMSW

Assistant Director of Programs

Cancer and Careers

Hi Nicole,

Thank you so much. This really helped. I think my inclination is not to disclose anything right now and instead to try to see how things develop with my treatment and energy levels, learn more about company policies, and, as you said, try to focus on my candidacy and potential to be a good employee. I appreciate the realistic take you provided. Thank you. I'll try to pivot as necessary if things should move forward, fingers crossed.

Stephanie,

Glad you found it helpful! And please don't hesitate to reach out during th eprocess if you're feeling stuck or would like to talk through alternative approaches. 

I hope you're able to figure something out that works for you and they see that you're the right person for the job!

Warmly,
Nicole