In August, Carol Jumper received devastating news: She had “cancer impacting her pancreas, liver and ovaries.” Then she received more devastating news: She was being fired from her job of 12 years.

A copy of the letter to Jumper from her employer, Dr. George Visnich, a picture of which appears in The Huffington Post, reveals that he was letting her go because he believed she would “not be able to function in [his] office at the level required,” due to the disease, medication and treatment side effects.

As author Mollie Reilly explains, “cancer patients are protected against job discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act.” However, it’s important to note that the ADA is a federal law that applies to private employers with 15 or more employees, and someone seeking to use it must be “qualified” and have a “disability” according to the law’s definitions for these particular terms.

Before disclosing a diagnosis in the workplace, cancer patients should research their company’s policies, their employee benefits and their legal rights. It’s also helpful to consult a legal professional.

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