Dear Julie,  It must be difficult to be in this position after years of service and then going through the traumas of cancer and treatment.   It's always hard to know from these questions what you already know or have done, so excuse me if I offer suggestions you've already acted on.  


First, I wonder if there might be a different role in this company for you, even if it's a 'step down', less money or retraining.  You're not even a year post surgery and your body is still recovering and I imagine that you're still testing medication.  It's almost always easier to stay where you are than to start new and this would be a time you might want to tread water, even if it's not for ever.

If this isn't an option, then get out your resume.  Find yourself a top notch resume writer (there are many on the web these days) and make sure it positions you  to the best of your ability.  I understand your reticence about your hair but the reality is that most people will not realize why it's short nor will they know what it looked like previously (unless they knew you then).  

You should do a clear headed, self assessment of how symptoms might be impacting you know before you talk to anyone about  a new job or even a resume writer.  If you're still weak or struggling some days, then take that into consideration for the next job.  You want to find work that you can do successfully rather than find yourself in the job market again in a few months.

You should also decide whether you want to disclose the cancer.  There are many reasons not to, especially if you don't have numerous appointments nor any imminent surgeries.  But consider this carefully if you plan to use your existing network to look for new work.  People do talk and it's hard to job search if you're worried about what someone knows or doesn't know.

I hope that this gives you some things to consider and the you find this helpful.

Warmly,
Rosalind

Thank you for your response. I am working on writing my own severance package and then looking for work in a few months. Hopefully things will calm down and I can get my energy back. I appreciate your thoughts, you have given me several things to consider. Again, thank you for your help, J

Can someone within your organization review my severance package for me? If not, can you recommend someone in the Chicago area that can help me?  I want to make sure that I have protected myself as well as possible. If I have to leave my company, I want to do it with grace and my integrity intact, and not be taken advantage of . Thank you

Hi Julie - I'm not sure what you are asking for.  I'm not a lawyer nor a human resources professional but from my work with clients around this, a severance package is typically about money and benefits. You wrote you want to leave with grace, integrity and not feel taken advantage of.  That's a tall order and I think that at least some of this is about your own expectations for what you 'should' have.  If it's the legal issues that concern you, then you probably should consult a lawyer.  

I'm assuming when you say, 'within your organization', you mean within cancer and careers?  Once you respond around your concerns, I or someone here can direct you to a resources that would be useful to you.

With warmth,
Rosalind 

Hi Julie,

You might want to consider contacting the Cancer Legal Resource Center; if they are unable to advise you on the specifics of your severance package protecting you legally, they should be able to refer you to someone who can.  They have a local office in Chicago (as well as their main office in LA) - their contact information is below. I hope this helps!

Disability Rights Legal Center

c/o McDermott Will & Emery LLC


227 West Monroe Street

44th Floor

Chicago, IL 60606-5096

Toll Free #: (866) THE-CLRC or (866) 843-2572


TDD: (213) 736-8310

Fax: (213) 736-1428 (Los Angeles)

Fax: (312) 278-0353 (Chicago)

Email: CLRC@LLS.edu

https://www.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org/about/cancerlegalresource.cfm

Best,

Alice