The Managing Through Cancer Principles

When cancer strikes one of our employees everyone at Rodale is affected.  As the employee strives to integrate cancer treatment with his or her career, we have the obligation and opportunity to support our employees in important ways. We recognize that a diagnosis of cancer can disrupt all aspects of an employee’s life, and therefore, we will make every possible effort to ease concerns regarding employment so that the employee can focus on getting healthy.  Supporting employees with cancer will benefit not only the individual employee, but other employees and our company as a whole.  Good will towards employees leads to increased productivity, a positive corporate image, and a more dedicated workforce.

Our company already has in place a comprehensive set of policies and procedures that apply to all employees.  These policies are enhanced by the Managing Through Cancer Principles, set forth below.  The Principles are practical, effective, and consistent with the law.  The Principles promote the health and well-being of all our employees by ensuring that our company is an environment in which all employees feel valued.

1. RESPECTING PRIVACY

As it does for all its employees, our company will respect the privacy of any employee stricken with cancer.  The employee will be consulted and his or her permission will be required before any sensitive medical information is shared with other employees.
 
2. CONTINUING EMPLOYMENT

To the extent possible the employee will be assured continued employment in the same or a comparable position.  In compliance with the Family Medical Leave Act, upon return to work following a qualified leave of absence, the employee will be reinstated to his or her previous position unless exceptional circumstances arise. 

3. MAINTAINING COMPENSATION

To the best of its ability our company will ensure that compensation—including salary and benefits—will be maintained and increased as it would if the employee was not suffering from cancer.

4. AIDING INSURANCE PROCESS

Our company will assist the employee in determining health insurance eligibility and reimbursement opportunities.  Federal privacy laws limit disclosure of heath-related information, but within permissible bounds, our company will work with the employee to ease the stress of heath insurance issues whenever possible.
 
5. SUPPORTING MANAGERS

The employee’s manager will be encouraged to structure the employee’s schedule and workload in a way that affords the employee flexibility for medical treatment and efficiency at work.

6. PROVIDING FLEXIBILITY

Recognizing that individualized accommodations will be most effective in supporting employees with cancer, our company will support, to the extent possible, any flexible work measures agreed upon by the employee and his or her manager.
 
7. SUSTAINING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Subject to the employee’s availability and qualifications, the employee will have continued access to professional development opportunities.

8. LINKING RESOURCES

Our company will make every effort to link the employee with available resources that will foster the employee’s ability to access cancer information and successfully integrate work and cancer treatment.