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also need to continue to pay your portion of the • Department of Justice, Disability
cost for these benefits. Rights Section
Some states also have FMLA laws that justice.gov
protect people with cancer. These laws may 202.514.2000
apply to employers with fewer than 15 employ- • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
ees. Find out about the laws in your state. eeoc.gov
To learn more about FMLA, go online to 800.669.4000
dol.gov/whd/fmla/index.htm#Forms or call the • Department of Labor
toll-free help line at 866.487.9243. dol.gov
866.487.2365
OTHER IMPORTANT
FEDERAL PROTECTION LAWS JOB SECURITY
Employee Retirement Income Security Act Get a written copy of your employer’s personnel pol-
(ERISA): This law protects employees who use icies. They are often provided in an employee hand-
the rights provided by a benefit plan such as book. Read about medical leave and other benefits.
health insurance. Ask questions about the company’s policies if things
are not clear. Be certain you understand required
Consolidated Omnibus Budget timelines. This can help you avoid future problems.
Reconciliation Act (COBRA): This law
allows certain employees to continue their Employers do not have to hold a job forever. The
health insurance coverage after leaving a job. The medical leave policy may specify a time limit. Gener-
employee must take over payment of premiums. ally, an employer is not required to hold a job so long
Coverage is allowed for a certain length of time. that it becomes an unfair hardship.
Health Insurance Portability and An employee cannot lose his or her job just
Accountability Act (HIPAA): This law because he or she has a disability. However, employ-
limits how an insurance company can refuse ers can fire or lay off employees for many reasons.
to cover health conditions that started before An employee can be fired for not doing a good job.
the policy took effect. It also protects the A company can also lay off a number of employees
privacy of patients. at the same time (or downsize) if they think it is for
the good of the company.
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended
(Federal Rehabilitation Act): This law EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION
provides many ADA protections to employees
of the federal government. It also covers those Federal law requires that employers make decisions
who work for employers who receive money fairly. This means decisions regarding employees
from the federal government. should be based on the ability of a person to perform
the duties required by a job. Discrimination happens
Learn about these federal laws and get answers when employment decisions are based on other fac-
to your questions from the following agencies: tors such as:
• Social Security Administration • Race
ssa.gov • Age
800.772.1213 • Gender
• Physical ability
• Religion
“One thing I have learned from talking to cancer patients is that a high —CHRIS O.
percentage of them do not go back to doing what they did before.
There is no way I could do that at this point, nor would I want to.”
www.LIVESTRONG.org/WeCanHelp B : D U R I N G T R E AT M E N T D AY- T O - D AY C O N C E R N S 101
