Dana-Farber: 'How To Tell Your Boss You Have Cancer'

He might have benefited from the advice posted here by Nancy Borstelmann, the director of patient and family support and education at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In a post titled "How to tell your boss you have cancer," she runs down recommended steps, from finding out what to expect from your treatment to deciding whom to tell at work. But because of my friend's brother, I'd emphasize this:

Keep a record. Employers are usually very supportive of employees going through cancer treatment, but this isn’t true 100 percent of the time. It’s a good idea to keep track of discussions you have with your boss or human resources office. Hang on to copies of work reviews, emails or letters about your performance, or requests for accommodations. This documentation will be helpful if you need to take action to uphold your rights in the workplace.