How to support an employee after a cancer diagnosis
Considering 40 percent of men and women will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, it's possible one of your employees could be among them. The question is how do you, as an employer, help your employees navigate the experience? There are many ways you can provide support. Here are tips and resources you can use to help an employee undergoing or returning from cancer treatment.
How to respond if an employee shares their cancer diagnosis
Sometimes it's a struggle to find the right words when we hear unfortunate news. Help an employee feel supported by showing compassion and providing them with the necessary tools to navigate their diagnosis in the workplace.
Avoid generic phrases, such as, “You’ll be all right.” Instead, provide sympathetic support by saying something like, “I’m sorry you are going through this. What can I do to help?” If you're still unsure what to say, the American Cancer Society® offers resources on what to say to an employee who has cancer.
Help employees understand their medical and drug coverage services
At no additional cost, members have access to:
- myWellmark® — Regular health care provider visits often follow a cancer diagnosis, which is where myWellmark comes in. myWellmark keeps all health care spending, benefits usage, electronic Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) and more in one place.
Share the myWellmark flyer with employees
Download and share the myWellmark flyer to let employees know how myWellmark can support them. Log in using your Employer Connection credentials.
- BeWell 24/7® — Employees will get answers to their health questions and receive decision-making support or be referred to Wellmark Case Management if they have complex care support needs.
- Wellmark Case Management — A clinically skilled registered nurse or licensed social worker from case management is there to help your employee understand their diagnosis, navigate health insurance benefits and provide ongoing support.
Case management and cancer
Case management is more than health care. In complex health situations, a case manager can be a friend, confidant and source of reassurance during a difficult time, like for Carol Peterson, a 51-year-old mother, grandmother, Wellmark member and stage 4 lung cancer patient.
"My case manager has always been really helpful," Carol said. "They call and check in on me. They give me resources to look at, and websites I can go to if I need assistance to pay for my scans and other things. They make sure my diabetes is doing OK and ask about my weight. I love it when they call, because it’s just so helpful and encouraging to talk to someone."
Wellmark’s case managers can help employees with a cancer diagnosis find the right treatment plan and medications. Read more about Carol's cancer journey.
Discuss the employee's legal rights and protections with them
- ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
- GINA: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
- PPACA: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
- COBRA: Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
Be sure to review your company policies and procedures so you're prepared to assist your employee through the process.
Support employees with cancer
If an employee chooses to share their diagnosis with you, you can play a huge role in alleviating some of the burden they're facing.
1.
Provide a flexible work schedule.
It’s important to explain the various types of leave available to employees, like Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Employees may request to work part-time or work from home as needed.
2.
Accommodate special requests.
Some employees may ask to be moved closer to the bathroom or printer. They may also request a closer parking spot to avoid longer walks.
3.
Appoint a resource.
Designating a point of contact for an employee while they're away is helpful. This can prevent information overload and keep the employee updated on work they may have missed.
Employees may look to you as their source of knowledge for navigating their cancer diagnosis in the office. These tools will help set expectations.
If you want to learn more about how to handle cancer in the workplace, visit the American Cancer Society’s website at Cancer.org.