Hi Tara,

In order to give you the best direction we need a bit more
information.  Where in the process is
your lawsuit?  If it’s just an EEOC
complaint that is typically kept confidential. 
However, if the case was settled or it went to court than its likely
public so you may want to be prepared to answer questions.  Once I have a sense of that, I am happy to give you some additional thoughts.

Best,
Monica Bryant, Esq.
Cancer Rights Attorney
COO, Triage Cancer

Please note that the
above information is designed to provide general information on the topics
presented. It is provided with the understanding that the expert is not engaged
in rendering any legal or professional services in the information provided
above. The information provided should not be used as a substitute for
professional services.

Thanks Monica. I filed a NYS lawsuit, not Federal and never did the EEOC complaint. It is not settled and we have not yet gone to court. The lawyers are still in the discovery process.

Hi Tara,

Thanks for the clarification.  Some of this will depend on the outcome of
the case.  Typically when cases are
settled outside of court part of the settlement can include the fact that the
details of the case will remain private. 
However, if you go to court those details will become a matter of public
record.

I will leave it to a career coach to address some practical
strategies for dealing with the question when/if it comes up; however, please know that you
cannot be required to disclose the details of the case.  Good luck!

Best,

Monica
Bryant, Esq.

Cancer
Rights Attorney

COO, Triage
Cancer

Please
note that the above information is designed to provide general information on
the topics presented. It is provided with the understanding that the expert is
not engaged in rendering any legal or professional services in the information
provided above. The information provided should not be used as a substitute for
professional services.

Thanks Monica! I am still on as a temp employee ( or consultant)  until October 16 but I don't think this is going to work out long term after that, regardless of cancer/lawsuits etc.  It's not feeing like a good fit. 

I appreciate the advice though, because it may come up again as I continue my search.   XO and Best regards,  Tara

Hi Tara,

Yours is a tricky situation but it brings up some good issues that are worth thinking about in advance.  Your instinct is dead on not to lie in any documentation and to think about how you would respond to a direct question, the goal in addressing the question will be to then swivel towards something more productive.  Perhaps something like "there was an unusual issue that couldn't be resolved without legal intervention but due to its resolution, I am not in a position to discuss the details. Now that it is all behind me, I am so excited to discuss the opportunity to do X,Y, Z here, can you tell me more about A, B, C?" Or "the situation was unfortunate and we tried to resolve it without legal intervention but that wasn't possible, I have put it behind me and I am I am so excited to discuss the opportunity to do X,Y, Z here, can you tell me more about A, B, C?"  There of course really isn't a single or right answer or a guarantee that it won't impact a prospective employer's decision but by planning ahead, practicing and being prepared you can hopefully swivel the conversation towards why you are the best person for the job.  Just think through what your most comfortable/authentic response would be and use that.  

You'll also want to Google yourself regularly and know what is coming up about you, both with regards to the lawsuit and in general, so that you can be prepared to respond to anything that might come up because of an online search.  CAC has a lot of content about your online brand and reputation in our Looking for Work section (http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work).

Let us know any follow up questions, and keep us posted!

Warmly,
Rebecca

Rebecca V. Nellis
VP, Programs and Strategy
Cancer and Careers  

Thanks Rebecca!  That all makes a lot of sense!