When you’re facing discrimination at work because of your cancer diagnosis, you need a champion who’s lived through your experience. At Advantage Advocates, P.C., the fight against employment discrimination is personal for our experienced Sierra Madre, CA, cancer discrimination lawyers.
Amy Ramsey and the team at Advantage Advocates, P.C. know firsthand the emotional and professional challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis, and we’re dedicated to making sure others are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve in the workplace.
Cancer is a disability. Almost 2 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States, which means 39.3 percent of men and women are likely to be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.
California is a progressive state when it comes to protecting employees from discrimination, and yet the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) still reported more than 4400 charges of workplace discrimination in California in 2022. That number includes cancer-related discrimination.
In addition to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals with disabilities, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) offers broader protections to employees.
FEHA prohibits workplace discrimination because of a disability, and it also requires that employers make reasonable accommodations for employees with cancer. This could include adjusting the employee’s work schedule, modifying the workspace, or approving additional leave time for medical treatments.
Cancer discrimination at work isn’t always obvious. Sometimes, it’s quiet and subtle, while at other times, it’s unmistakable. No matter if it’s over or under the radar, it’s illegal when an employer treats you unfairly because of your diagnosis, treatment, or recovery.
Some of the most common signs of cancer discrimination include:
If you’re being treated differently because of your diagnosis, you may have legal grounds to fight back. No one should have to choose between their health and their job. Advantage Advocates, P.C. is poised and ready to hold your employer accountable for their actions.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or are undergoing treatment, facing employment discrimination can add unnecessary stress to an already challenging time. This is where a knowledgeable and compassionate workplace discrimination attorney can step in to support you.
A cancer diagnosis is life-changing, and being treated unfairly at work on top of that can feel like too much to carry.
At Advantage Advocates, P.C., our team doesn’t just offer legal guidance. We offer real empathy. Lead attorney Amy Ramsey knows firsthand the physical toll, the mental strain, and the strength it takes to show up every day. Amy fights for her clients with the same determination she used to battle her own cancer diagnosis.
Advantage Advocates, P.C., works closely with local resources and organizations to make sure you have access to all the support you need. Whether it’s connecting with the Cancer Support Community Greater San Gabriel Valley or advocating for your legal rights, we’re dedicated to being a resource for the Sierra Madre community.
We’re deeply rooted in the Sierra Madre community. With intimate familiarity with the Pasadena Courthouse and the Los Angeles County Superior Court and our knowledge of how Southern California employers operate, we bring more than just legal smarts to the table.
Our connection to the community, combined with our lived experience and our focused employment law practice, gives us the perspective we need to advocate with clarity and conviction.
You don’t have to formally disclose your diagnosis to be protected under the law. If your employer had reason to know or acted on assumptions about your health, you could still have a valid claim. Sudden changes in treatment after visible symptoms, medical absences, or word-of-mouth can be enough to establish that your condition was a factor in discrimination.
You don’t need to be fired to experience workplace discrimination. If you’re being sidelined, isolated, or passed over because of your diagnosis, that could be a form of constructive discharge or a hostile work environment. These tactics are often used to pressure employees to quit without the company taking formal action.
Discrimination can happen at companies of any size, but smaller businesses may be more prone to informality and a lack of compliance with employment laws. They might not have an HR department or structured leave policies, which increases the risk of missteps. Still, even smaller employers have legal obligations under California law and can be held accountable if they fail to meet them.
Even if you’ve completed treatment or are in remission, your history of cancer is still protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Employers can’t treat you as a liability or assume you’ll relapse. If your medical past influences how you’re treated at work, that’s a form of illegal discrimination.
At Advantage Advocates, P.C., Amy Ramsey brings not just legal experience but personal understanding as a cancer survivor herself. Your story matters, and your rights matter even more.
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