“When someone faces cancer, they shouldn't have to go it alone.” – Orlando Ashworth, CPO, LLS
Cancer doesn’t just impact an individual. It sends ripples through families, friendships, and workplaces.
For employees facing a cancer diagnosis, the uncertainty and stress of navigating treatment are often compounded by questions about their job, their benefits, and their future. According to the Working with Cancer Pledge website, fifty percent of employees with cancer are afraid to tell their employers. As employers, we have both a responsibility and an opportunity to ensure no one walks that path alone.
At The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), our mission is to cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of all patients and their families. We’ve long known the far-reaching impact of cancer. It’s why we’ve proudly committed to the Working with Cancer Pledge, a global movement urging employers to provide robust support to employees living with cancer.
But beyond signing a pledge, what does meaningful support look like?
Why Employer Support Matters
In a groundbreaking two-year study, Google discovered that the most significant predictor of high-performing, effective teams was psychological safety, which is the belief that individuals can speak up, ask for help, and be themselves without fear of punishment or humiliation.
When employees navigating cancer know their workplace will accommodate them, respect their needs, and give them a voice in the organization, it creates that psychological safety. It also allows them to focus on healing, knowing their career and colleagues will be there when they’re ready to return.
How LLS Supports Employees Facing Cancer
Here are the ways we’ve structured support at LLS. While each organization must determine what works best for their specific circumstances and legal requirements, these approaches may provide helpful ideas:
Medical Leave & Job Protection – We aim to provide our employees with peace of mind during treatment and recovery by providing job protection provisions aligned with applicable laws and company policies. As part of our mission, we also advocate in statehouses nationwide for paid leave policies to allow patients and caregivers better job and wage protections when they need it most.
Generous Paid Time Off – On top of a generous offering of paid vacation time off, LLS offers employees 12 additional days of sick leave that may be used for personal illness, to supervise a sick child, take an immediate family member to treatment, for visits to health care providers or for any other reasons provided for by the state or local law.
Flexible Working Arrangements & Role Relocation – We strive to accommodate individuals’ treatment and recovery needs through reasonable adjustments such as flexible work hours and temporary changes in remote work location when operationally feasible and consistent with our policies.
Personalized Health Support & Care Coordination – Through our Case Management Program, employees enrolled in a medical plan have access to free, confidential support from a dedicated Personal Nurse Advocate. This program helps individuals navigate health challenges, manage ongoing conditions, understand their benefits, prepare for appointments, and connect with cost-saving resources, empowering them to make informed care decisions with confidence.
Comprehensive Cancer Resources – Our mission extends beyond blood cancers. We offer access to nutrition services, 1:1 education and support specialists, and caregiver resources, empowering employees and their loved ones with reliable, compassionate guidance.
Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity Insurance – In addition to our core Health & Welfare benefits, eligible employees may have access to voluntary coverage options that can help with certain treatment-related costs. Eligible employees may have access to supplemental coverage that can provide a cash benefit in the event of a covered serious illness or hospital stay.
Mental Health Resources & Community – Mental health is important for those facing cancer. We offer two Employee Assistance Programs that provide a wide range of benefits, including free counseling services. Additional support is available through our medical plans for those who are enrolled. Employees and their families can also access counseling, wellness programs, and mental health resources through our trusted benefit partners. All employees can also join any of our 11 employee resource groups, including our Cancer Network, which provides employees a way to connect with other cancer survivors. Employees and non-employees alike may also join our Community to connect with other cancer survivors.
“A huge way LLS supports its employees is through the Employee Resource Group for cancer survivors! That we’ve been given the space and grace to connect with each other has been immeasurably valuable. That the ERG is empowered to bring items forward and influence business processes with the survivor perspective is so appreciated.” – An LLS Employee, Cancer Survivor, & Cancer Network ERG Member
Concierge Support for Benefits & Leave Navigation – We partner with a dedicated vendor that offers personalized support to help employees navigate the complexities of healthcare benefits and the leave-of-absence process. Services include one-on-one consultations for benefits enrollment and guidance throughout the leave experience, ensuring a smooth and informed experience.
Legal and End-of-Life Planning Support – Through our benefits partners, employees have access to will preparation, funeral planning, and bereavement support to help navigate complex life decisions with clarity and peace of mind. In addition, HealthChampion services offer personalized healthcare navigation and support for those facing a critical illness or disability, providing guidance on care options, resources, and issue resolution during difficult times.
The Power of the Working with Cancer Pledge
In addition to providing extensive benefits for employees, LLS made it a priority to share our commitment publicly by signing the Working with Cancer Pledge. Through this pledge, we’ve committed to working toward:
- De-stigmatizing cancer and illness in the workplace
- Offering appropriate job security and workplace accommodations*
- Supporting caregivers through available company resources
- Communicating transparently about employee support offerings
We are proud to be among the organizations around the world – from big companies and global brands to local businesses – that have come together to better support people living and working with cancer. We believe this commitment isn’t just good policy – it’s good humanity. It’s leading by example. And we encourage every employer to join us.
Call to Action: Where to Start
If you’re ready to strengthen how your organization supports employees facing cancer, here are five steps you can take:
Evaluate your culture, policies, and programs – Closely examine your existing leave policies, benefits, accommodations, and workplace culture. How well are you currently supporting employees navigating serious illnesses like cancer? Understanding your baseline is the first step to meaningful improvement.
Communicate your commitment and offerings – Even the best benefits can’t help employees if they don’t know about them. Proactively share your support programs and make it clear that your organization stands behind employees facing health challenges. Transparent communication builds trust and confidence.
Continue to learn and improve – Regularly assess what’s working and where gaps exist. Consider augmenting your offerings, drawing on resources from LLS and other organizations. Stay informed, stay flexible, and keep centering the needs of your employees.
Consider joining the Working with Cancer Pledge – This is another a powerful way to formalize and publicly communicate your commitment while gaining access to best practices from other leading employers.
Share LLS resources – Direct your employees facing a cancer diagnosis to LLS’s many helpful resources on the topics of working with cancer:
Webpages:
Podcasts & Videos:
- The Bloodline Podcast: Cancer and the Workplace
- Ask An Expert Video (Need to join Community to access)
Online Community:
Cancer changes lives. As employers, we have the opportunity to meet that change with compassion, flexibility, and unwavering support. When we create workplaces where people feel safe, valued, and cared for, we don’t just help them heal – we strengthen the heart of our organizations. We foster an environment that employees want to join in the first place and return to once they are healthy again.
We stand with our employees facing cancer. Will you?
Find Out More About LLS Support Resources for Cancer Patients
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a guarantee of benefits or create any contractual rights. In the event of any discrepancy, official policy documents and plan documents will govern.
*in accordance with our policies and applicable laws
