Employers Women may encounter discrimination when they try to return to work on the grounds that people who have had cancer take too many sick days, are poor insurance risks or will make coworkers uncomfortable. These laws apply to Federal employers, employers that receive Federal funds and private companies with 25 or more employees. If a woman is applying for a government job with an agency, or a firm with government contracts, and believes she did not get the job because of her cancer, she can file a complaint under Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 . She should write directly to the agency involved. If she believes she was discriminated against by a private employer because of her cancer, she should file a complaint with the closest regional office of the Equal Opportunities Commission.
Local offices have state-specific information about cancer and employment discrimination.
A Social worker. He or she may know about laws in your state and can also tell the woman which state agency is in charge of protecting employee rights. A state Department of Labor's Office of Civil Rights. The National Coalition for Cancer Suvivorship. This organization offers information and limited attorney referrals.