Receiving the diagnosis of a terminal illness can be devastating and confusing. It can feel like your life has changed overnight, and the future you envision may seem out of reach. While grappling with your health, losing your job can feel like your boss has pulled the rug from under you at a particularly vulnerable time. Dealing with uncertainty about your health and finances simultaneously can compound your stress.
If you’re a California resident, you should know that the state’s employment laws offer protection if you’re facing a serious medical condition. Therefore, your boss cannot fire you simply because you have a terminal illness. Suppose you feel your job security has been threatened since your diagnosis; your state’s progressive labor laws can help you to mitigate the consequences of this situation.
The Golden State’s employment laws
The fact that the Golden State follows an at-will employment format can be a source of worry. This principle dictates that employees and employers generally can terminate the employment relationship without giving an explanation.
However, you should know that this principle comes with notable exceptions to help protect employees’ job security. If your employer terminates your employment contract following a terminal illness diagnosis, this constitutes discrimination. Federal employment laws disallow your employer to discriminate against you based on disability. Many terminal illnesses are categorized as disabilities that employers should accommodate.
Reasonable accommodations are key
If your employer terminates your employment contract without notice, you might think this is justified because your terminal illness might limit your ability to perform your duties. However, according to your state’s employment laws, your employer is legally obligated to make reasonable accommodations to help you keep your job.
For instance, if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, your employer might need to modify your work schedule to help ensure you don’t miss chemotherapy sessions. Alternatively, your employer might allow you to work from home if your illness limits your mobility. You are also entitled to reduced working hours if your illness requires you to rest more.
Your state’s employment laws help to ensure that you need not worry about your job security when you receive a diagnosis of a terminal illness. Therefore, if you suspect that a recent employment termination has something to do with your diagnosis; you might want to enlist appropriate legal support and fight for your rights.