Various laws protect employees and job seekers. These laws and their accompanying regulations cover human rights, employment standards, insurance, contracts, workers’ compensation and employment equity. There are also regulations that govern how professionals must behave toward their clients.

Understanding how these laws and regulations protect you as a cancer survivor can help you assert your rights when you try to stay at work, return to work or find a new job. However, if you are being treated unfairly, launching a complaint under these laws is the last resort. It can be stressful, sometimes costly, and can likely hurt your relationships at work. It is better to address situations before they become too severe. Ideally, your employer will have good disability management practices that will prevent unfair treatment of employees with disabilities. If not, there are organizations that can give you information about the various laws that can protect you as well as advice on how to launch a complaint.