If you work from home one day, your coworkers may be happy to update you or take notes for you during a company meeting. If you need to be out of the office during treatment and recovery, let coworkers know how you would like to keep in contact. Your coworkers will be concerned about you and will be less frightened if you tell them about your treatment progress. When you can, keep in contact with coworkers by phone or over lunch. Staying connected will make your return to work easier.
Some women feel comfortable sharing health information with their employers right away.
Others have chosen to continue to work through their treatments without disclosing their condition to coworkers until they have to. For example, some women wait to tell their coworkers until they know if they are going to lose their hair due to chemotherapy. If you are to be hospitalized or if you need to take a medical leave, you will likely have to tell management. If you are uncomfortable asking someone directly, you may want to ask a trusted coworker to look into this on your behalf or inquire anonymously such as through an employee suggestion box. Learn about your company s policies that govern family and medical leaves.