Hi Jackie,

Thanks for writing to us.  You’ve asked a really important question about disclosure and it’s one that we often receive from cancer survivors that are in the process of job searching. A little more detail about your situation would allow us to provide you with the most targeted response.  Would you be able to answer some of the following questions?

1. Are you currently in the negotiation phase for a job?


2. What field of work are you in or what kind of work are you most interested in pursuing?


3. You mentioned wanting a telecommuting accommodation because of fatigue, can you tell us why that is the best solution? Have you considered other accommodation options that might also address the challenges fatigue is presenting?

In the meantime, I would recommend watching our webinar to get a better understanding of all the issues around disclosure: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/community/videos/bwc/2016-webinar-online.

Additionally, some other resources that I recommend checking out are:

• Interviewing information: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/interviewing
  

• Blog on gathering information before disclosure: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/blog/gathering-information-before-d
  

We look forward to hearing back from you!

Nicole Franklin, MPH

Manager of Programs

Cancer and Careers

Hello,
I will check out the resources you shared. To answer your questions, I'm currently still in the interviewing phase, looking to prepare. I work in non-profit, training and program management. I live in NYC so I'm asking to telecommute (on days when there are no meetings, or other required travel) because a daily commute, during rush hour where I will likely have to stand both ways is possibly more than my body can take. Since I'm transitioning back to the working world after a long leave I want to make sure that I don't over do it. My fatigue presents in a way that I can do pretty much whatever I need to, I just can only do it for so many days in a row. Working from home would let me save my energy for the times I actually need to come into the office or travel (and if I were to guess it would also mean I could think more clearly and focus on work). I also think that putting less strain on my body will mean that I will be less likely to get run down and get a cold, etc. which I would end up needing to take time off to recover from. At this point I can be flexible on the number of days per week, so if they ask that I come in 2-3 day a week and commute the rest, I could probably make that work, but would rather be safe and over-ask to start. I've also considered asking for a 3-6 month trial period if they are hesitant and checking in with them after that to see how I'm doing. I'm not sure of any other accommodation that would work besides that. Even traveling in later to avoid rush hour would potentially be very draining. I suppose a car to drop me might work but that would be prohibitively expensive. From what I can tell, since a lot of the position is working with grantees who are often out of state, the majority of the office work is phone and computer related, so I don't see any issue that would mean working from home wouldn't prevent me from doing the job. I'm certainly open to other suggestions if there are other solutions people have found.
Thanks!