Balancing Work and Cancer
Care
(The Patient)
Asking for Help
Many individuals with cancer work. This may
cause competing demands and distress. Work
is a financial necessity and/or a source of
satisfaction for many, yet getting through
cancer care and doing well on the job often
conflict.
The following tips present an
overview of the issues for employees. This
fact sheet offers ideas and resources that
can help you manage efficiently and balance
both the work and the care effectively.
How Can I Cope with Double
Demands
· Look in the personnel manual of other
human resources publication to find out your
company's policy on illness. Does it offer
benefits or services that could help with
your situation?
· Talk with your work
supervisor about your care issues. It's better
to know the reasons for your late arrivals
or seeming preoccupation rather than to draw
his or her own conclusions.
· Ask your employer if
there is an employee assistance program and
to explain what services are available.
· Ask your Human Resources
or Personnel Department to give you information
on the Family and Medical Leave Act. There
are a variety of restrictions, however, such
as company size and the amount of time the
worker has been employed.
· Take advantage of flex-time
policies if that would help your situation.
· Offer to work a less
desirable shift or be willing to make up time
taken for caregiving by working days or shifts
when most people want to be off.
· Check for information
and referral resources in your agency.
· Consider job sharing
or working part time if possible.
· Avoid mixing work with
care activities. Avoid interruptions and distractions
at work. If you need to make phone calls or
search the internet for information related
to your parent's needs, do it on a lunch break.
Balance your roles more effectively.
· Manage your time. When
you must take time off, set priorities and
accomplish the most important things first.
· Delegate responsibilities
when you can. Pace yourself, as care demands
may extend over a prolonged period of time.
· Accept help when you
need it. Consider community resources for
yourself.
· Get all the support
you can from family members, friends and community
resources.
· Develop strategies
for coping.
· Be sure to thank those
at work for the consideration and assistance
you receive.
· Where can I get additional
Information?
For More Information:
The American Cancer Society
URL: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp
The National Cancer Institute
URL: http://www.cancer.gov/
The Family Care Research Program
Website
URL: www.cancercare.msu.edu
Or contact Barbara Given, University
Distinguished Professor, College of Nursing
at bgiven@msu.edu,
or 517-353-0306.
