Going back to work/disclosing BC

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kathleen1966
kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Not sure where to post this, so I'm putting it here.

I am currently looking for a job. I am looking into jobs in the school district so I can be on the same schedule as the children some-what.  Either as some type of secretary (I have done this in the past so I do have experience) or working as an aid with children.  I will then think about getting my masters (in a yet to be determined field).  

My question.... have others when looking for employment disclosed the fact that they had breast cancer?  I would prefer not to mention it.  A.  It's really none of their business.  B.  In terms of technicality, I no longer have breast cancer  C. I am worried there is no way anyone will hire me if they knew I had stage III breast cancer

So I am just trying to get others opinion. I do not want people looking at me in a different way due to the cancer.  

There is another problem though.  I wear a sleeve, which I would not wear at the interview (if I even get one).  I am continuously asked about this sleeve.  I now say, I had surgery and this is to prevent swelling.  If I were to wear the sleeve on the interview and was asked, I would answer the same way but am worried it would then be seen as a negative.

I am only 45 (I think this is young)....I need to work after being home for the past ten years.  We need the $$$$ desperately...

I feel my age and my nine years not working at a paid job (I volunteered, I wrote and designed a newsletter for the school) are going to make this hard enough.  To add breast cancer (and not an early breast cancer) to the list, I worry would seal the deal in my never getting a job....

seems like I've answered my own question and I'm rambling now.....interested in what others think and have done in this situation...

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  • Sue-61
    Sue-61 Member Posts: 599
    edited August 2011

    Kathleen, good luck in the job search. Here is a useful link regarding what an employer can ask during an interview.

    http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/cancer.html

    Sue

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited August 2011

    Kathleen, I have just been hired to work in our school district! I started off volunteering too, and this summer when through the interview process and have been hired. My son is starting Grade 1 in September, so I will now have the days free. I have not worked either since 2005. I am starting off just with part-time hours, but I am seeing it as a "foot-in-the-door" which will hopefully lead to more hours if I can get them.

    Anyhow, I never mentioned BC at all. It just never came up; there was no medical requirement, I am healthy now, and it is none of their business. I cannot see any reason for you to mention it to them as long as it isn't going to affect your work. Which it won't.

    As for your sleeve, I either wouldn't wear it to the interview, or maybe cover it with a jacket. I don't think they are legally allowed to ask questions about things like that anyhow. (I might be wrong??) Once you are working, you can just explain you need it for medical reasons, you don't need to give more information that you feel comfortable with.

    The fact that I have no recent paid work history didn't seem important either, although I have worked with kids in the past, and I have been volunteering (2 afternoons a week in my sons kindergarten class for the last 2 years) So, hopefully the same will be true for you.

    Anyhow, good luck with it!! I really hope it works out for you, there is no reason why your medical PAST should influence your future!

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited August 2011

    If you mention you had breast cancer, you will not get the job.   Tell them anything you want about the sleeve.   Tell them you have edema, or that you were in an accident awhile back, tell them to mind their own business, tell them whatever you want.   Do NOT tell you had BC.   There is no reason to.  

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  • EnglishMajor
    EnglishMajor Member Posts: 2,495
    edited August 2011

    http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/Job-Hunting-After-Cancer-Treatment

     Cancer is generally covered under the ADA act. Please see above link for some tips. Good luck!

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  • BeckySharp
    BeckySharp Member Posts: 935
    edited August 2011

    Kathleen,  I would not mention that you have had bc. I was an elementary principal and I would never have asked about health history in an interview.  My only concern would be could you do the job.  I don't see why you could not with a sleeve.  As for the sleeve (I wear one too) I just say I have swelling of the arm and the sleeve controls the swelling.  No one has questioned me further.  There are other reasons for wearing a sleeve than bc.  Good luck with the job hunt!  Becky

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited August 2011

    "I was out of the workforce for a few years as a Stay at Home Mom.  Now that my children are of school age, I am seeking a job in a school system."

    That should cover things.

    Wear something that covers the sleeve.  Or, if your arm looks fine and you can go for a few hours without wearing it, then just don't wear it.  BTW - I would give you the same counsel for later, as children will be sure to ask you that one too.  Or invest in the sexy Italian-made ones that just look like sports leotards.

    Focus on your skills, and what you can contribute.  Your breast cancer is history.  Fortunately, you have a perfectly plausible reason for being out of the workforce.  I also suspect the initial reason you weren't employed. - Claire

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited August 2011

    BTW - if you find a good-looking interview outfit, you will feel a lot more confident.

    Nancy gave you excellent advice in putting together your talk track.

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited August 2011

    I also would not mention it but I was hired part time in a school several years ago-after bc treatment.  Everyone knows I had breast cancer since I am a parent of three children who go to school where I work.  I have just been hired as a full time classroom teacher so I don't think that it impacted my employer's decision.  However, if it was a new district I would not mention anything about it.

    Oh, and I agree-45 is young.  That's my age too!

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited August 2011

    I'm a high school secretary - principal's secretary.  I had the job before I got cancer but I can tell you that it is not legal for them to ask you about your health, or make any decision based on it.  However, we all know human nature.  

    Would you hire the person who might get sick and not come in over the perfectly healthy one?  Fair?  Maybe not.  Human nature?  Yes.   

    Definitely do NOT bring it up, and don't wear anything that will give it away.  I'd leave the sleeve at home.  It's very competetive out there now and you don't want to do anything that will push them away from selecting you.

    I switched schools a year ago - from middle to high (after I thought I was done with cancer) and 78 people applied for my old job.  Some had been former teachers!  The market is tough right now, so even if it's not fair, I would take that compression garmet off, or make sure it's well-covered. 

    Once you get a job, then you can do as you please.  I've blogged my cancer experience so everybody in my district knows what I've been through.  Hasn't made any difference at all, because I'm very good at my job and I don't take time off work.

    Once you get in the door you can impress them with how skilled you are and the cancer thing won't be important.  But, you have to get in the door, and in today's market, you'll need all the help you can get.  

    (I live in CA, maybe things aren't as bad in other places.) 

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited August 2011

    Oh, I want to add one more thing.  Most women who work in the district started the way you have  - they start as part-time clerks or something because their kids go to school.  It's not unusual at all.  Once they are in the door as a clerk, (or even a substitute secretary) then they move up the ranks.  If secretary jobs have a rank, that is.  :)  The job I do is a lot less secretarial and a lot more physical - I run the school.  It's more like being an air traffic controller.  :)

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited August 2011

    The gals have given you great advice...and I agree....past health history is not relevant to your current job status.....best of luck to you....Karen

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited August 2011

    Obviously, no employer is going to tell you that your BC is the reason they didn't hire you.   There is no reason to disclose this.   Why would you?

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited August 2011

    Seems to me there is no legal reason for anyone to ask a health related question during an interview.  When I managed a department at the store I work for I was told I couldn't ask "loaded" questions such as "will you be able to get to work on time? or "are there any reasons you couldn't do your job", etc.  I was only to tell them the nature of the work and the responsiblities and if they could do them. So I would not bring it up. 

    As for the LE sleeve, again, no one's business at work.  Did your doc tell you to wear it all the time?  Mine said that only if I'm doing any heavy lifting, etc.  Are you at high risk for LE?  

    Good luck!
    Sharon

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited August 2011

    This is so topical for me too. I was laid off three months before my breast cancer diagnosis and haven't worked since. I had two rounds of interviews (by phone) at my old company in March. Then they started a hiring freeze and they still haven't filled the position.

    I was called for an interview at another company on Friday. I was so nervous. I was certain one of the questions would be "what have you been doing for the last two years." I was prepared to say I'd been doing volunteer work and some paid work for local non-profits but the question never came up. So they either figured that I was not working because of the economic downturn or they looked at my short grey haircut and put two and two together. 

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