Hello Keir,

Thank you so much for posting your question. I will be sure to pass your question along to one of our volunteer career coaches, but inthe meantime, I'd encourage you to begin the process of writing down any acheivements, innovations, results-driven projects that you've completed throughout the year. If you've been out for a good portion but were still able to achieve any of your goals or targets, that's certainly something to highlight. It could certainly be complicated given the experience you had with your manager, but hopefully you were able to smooth things over upon your return? 

A few resources that may be helpful as you continue working during/after treatment: 

• Our article on going Back to Work and the many considerations that come along with it


• Our article on Setting Professional Boundaries - we also have a webinar coming up later this year on the same topic in our Balancing Work & Cancer Webinar Series
  


• It's also a good idea to know what protections are available to you, so I'd recommend looking at our article on Your Legal Rights in the Workplace
  

I hope the above resources are helpful until you hear from one of our coaches. Feel free to reach out to cancerandcareers@cew.org with any further questions or to set up a call for more information. 

Sincerely,

Nicole Jarvis, LMSW

Assistant Director of Programs

Cancer and Careers

Kier,

I appreciate your openness in sharing your circumstances and concerns about approaching your self-review amidst a challenging year, including medical leaves. It's evident that you've faced significant personal and health challenges, and I want to acknowledge your resilience in navigating through them.

When addressing your self-review, as Nicole mentioned, it's crucial to highlight both your achievements and your commitment to your professional responsibilities, even during difficult times. Here's a suggested approach:

1. Highlight Achievements During Work Periods:




• Emphasize the accomplishments and contributions during the six weeks you were at work between leaves.


• Showcase projects, tasks, or goals you successfully managed during these periods.




2. Demonstrate Adaptability and Commitment:




• Discuss how you maintained productivity and adapted to challenges during your time back at work.


• Mention any skills or insights gained during your journey that contributed positively to your work.




3. Acknowledge Challenges Positively:




• Address the medical leaves openly but emphasize your dedication to fulfilling your responsibilities whenever possible.


• Share how you communicated and collaborated with your team during your time away to ensure a smooth workflow.




4. Discuss Growth and Learning:




• Share insights gained from your experiences, whether personal or professional.


• Discuss any new skills, perspectives, or approaches you've developed, showcasing a commitment to continuous improvement.




5. Express Gratitude for Support:




• Kindness Helps. Thank your colleagues, supervisors, and the organization for their understanding and support during challenging times.

Focus on the positive aspects, and when addressing challenges, frame them in a way that emphasizes your ability to overcome obstacles.

I hope you find this helpful and I'd be happy to continue the conversation. Wishing you a successful and constructive performance review process.

Thank you,

Brandon

Hopefully, the formatting is cleaner on this post. Apologies.

Kier,

I appreciate your openness in sharing your circumstances and concerns about approaching your self-review amidst a challenging year, including medical leaves. It's evident that you've faced significant personal and health challenges, and I want to acknowledge your resilience in navigating through them.

When addressing your self-review, as Nicole mentioned, it's crucial to highlight both your achievements and your commitment to your professional responsibilities, even during difficult times. Here's a suggested approach:

1. Highlight Achievements During Work Periods:




1. Emphasize the accomplishments and contributions during the six weeks you were at work between leaves.


2. Showcase projects, tasks, or goals you successfully managed during these periods.




2. Demonstrate Adaptability and Commitment:




1. Discuss how you maintained productivity and adapted to challenges during your time back at work.


2. Mention any skills or insights gained during your journey that contributed positively to your work.




3. Acknowledge Challenges Positively:




1. Address the medical leaves openly but emphasize your dedication to fulfilling your responsibilities whenever possible.


2. Share how you communicated and collaborated with your team during your time away to ensure a smooth workflow.




4. Discuss Growth and Learning:




1. Share insights gained from your experiences, whether personal or professional.


2. Discuss any new skills, perspectives, or approaches you've developed, showcasing a commitment to continuous improvement.




5. Express Gratitude for Support:


6. Kindness Helps.




1. Thank your colleagues, supervisors, and the organization for their understanding and support during challenging times.

Focus on the positive aspects, and when addressing challenges, frame them in a way that emphasizes your ability to overcome obstacles.

I hope you find this helpful and I'd be happy to continue the conversation. Wishing you a successful and constructive performance review process.

Thank you,

Brandon