Employment rights

gizmochan

I'm a breast cancer patient, I diagnosed with breast cancer about 3 years ago, I finished Mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and reconstruction as well. All of my lymph nodes were removed during surgery.

After surgeries, I experience numbness, swelling, weakness, or tingling in the arm and shoulder area on the same side of the body on which surgery was done. I have difficult to drive long hours, heavy lifting, etc. I return to work after the short term disability and my manger was fully support me. However my company is restructure recently and my new boss asked me to relocate. It is about 15 minutes' drive from my current location and it will be 3 hours' drive from my new location. I expressed there was a medical situation preventing me from driving to new location. I already provided the doctor note and they let me to stay in current location temp, however my boss keeps coming back to me and asked me to provide additional information. I feel this is about my privacy and also feel nervous by the questioning. I'm really appreciated if you could provide your advice. I want to understand my employment rights, how much information to provide, what information that I don't need to provide. How to prevent my boss keep bother me?

vlnrph

I was just looking at the American Cancer Society website where they have a topic on working - you might check there for information or call your local chapter office for advice.

Your instincts regarding privacy are correct. The boss should accept the fact that you have limitations. Perhaps the company would pay to hire a mover so you could relocate?

Always at risk for lymphedema due to surgery/radiation, it is wise to avoid situations which might trigger further swelling, setting the stage for infection, etc. You need to take good care of yourself!

edwards750

I agree check with agencies who are knowledgeable about employee rights. In Tennessee where I live it's a right to work stateso employers can pretty much do what they want and don't have to justify their actions.

I am sure you are unnerved he keeps talking about you relocating but my advice would be stand your ground. Give him more information if that's what he wants. He apparently thinks you'll get to the point in time you can handle relocating.

I also agree be careful with heavy lifting. Several ladies in my support group at church have lymphodema. It is brutal and you can get it anytime.

Diane