How employers can support workers when they take medical leave

About 2 in 3 Americans who are employed can get paid time off work while getting and recovering from chemotherapy or surgeries doctors have told them they need.

By: Liza Barnes, Drexel University; Ashley Hardin, Washington University in St. Louis, and Christina Lacerenza, University of Colorado Boulder, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: May 20, 2026

Words: 1,297

Last Updated: 2 months ago

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By Liza Barnes, Drexel University; Ashley Hardin, Washington University in St. Louis, and Christina Lacerenza, University of Colorado Boulder

Car crash. Cancer diagnosis. Mental health crisis. Autoimmune disease flareup.

A serious medical condition can turn your life upside down in an instant, making everyday tasks feel overwhelming. And if you’re employed, you may find that work emails keep coming and your manager keeps calling – when the only job you should focus on is healing.

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