Program Manager does not want me on his program for medical reasons...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My CIO DH used to be a PM. I remember when one of his employees got a rare, aggressive lymphoma and needed aggressive treatment. He did the opposite. When she ran out of protected status he went to HR and said she had to stay and asked for help to figure out a way to keep her on as much as possible. She teleworked 100% toward the end. Colleagues and DH worked extra hard to meet deliverables, there was zero impact to the program. She didn't survive but at least had insurance and a paycheck till the end.

This just happened with my dad in December. We were very grateful. I paid the premium for one month of insurance and that was it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long is the project? Do you have screenings during that time?

I have a cancer that must be similar to yours. I have missed work to have things surgically removed, but am currently clear and functioning like normal. That doesn't mean that the test won't come back and say we have to do it all over again. If you can reasonably get through the project, I don't see why it is a problem. If there is a reason you think you can't, it may be good of you to decline if possible.

Why should she opt out because she might have a relapse? Should women of childbearing age opt out in case they get pregnant? Should an obese person opt out because they are at high risk for multiple acute and chronic illnesses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My CIO DH used to be a PM. I remember when one of his employees got a rare, aggressive lymphoma and needed aggressive treatment. He did the opposite. When she ran out of protected status he went to HR and said she had to stay and asked for help to figure out a way to keep her on as much as possible. She teleworked 100% toward the end. Colleagues and DH worked extra hard to meet deliverables, there was zero impact to the program. She didn't survive but at least had insurance and a paycheck till the end.

There needs to be more people like your Dh. I'm sure her family will always remember that. I still am thankful to my fathers colleagues who donated weeks of time to him, so he could stay on longer...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The job of a PM is to deliver a product on time and on budget. Part of that job is risk mitigation. OP -- you represent a risk to the project. You and the PM should be open and honest with each other and together create a risk mitigation plan. The plan needs to include a transition plan including a transition timeline. No one on the project should be caught off guard or left in the lurch if you are suddenly out.

It is not right for the PM not to put you on the project if you are qualified and can deliver your work product. But in case something happens, there needs to be a plan B in place.

This is exactly correct...based on statistics, I have an 80% chance of recurrence during the period of performance for the project. I get that. I live with that every day. Oh, and the 80% chance of recurrence is only slightly better than probability of dying. However, I am 50 yo....I do not have savings for retirement, and I am mostly asymptomatic (symptoms are a result of surgical issues and not the cancer itself).

At a certain level it will be difficult to replace me, What I can do, though is document what I am doing...so people will know.

If I were the PM on the project, I would gladly welcome you to team. You seem to have a realistic outlook on what may/may not occur. But more importantly you are willing to document. Set up a weekly mtg with the PM to go over specifically what was done this week, what is on tap for next week, as well as a longer timeline. Also set up a debrief/ update mtg with whomever would assume your duties. Open honest communication is going to be critical to your success on this project--both from you and the PM.

I wish you the best on the project and a positive outcome in life. I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with this. Cancer just sucks!

It will not be feasible to meet with the PM every week. It is a large project (12 million per year for two years, with multiple options). However, I regularly meet with my lead on the project. As for now, I have through the summer when all should be well, then my next scans. After that, we have three more months.

The timing of the spirals are not optimally aligned with my cancer, but what can I do?

I have known the PM for 18 years. He is not a bad guy; he would do what he could to help me. He just hates risk. Particularly that which he can not control. I have been very open with my health issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My CIO DH used to be a PM. I remember when one of his employees got a rare, aggressive lymphoma and needed aggressive treatment. He did the opposite. When she ran out of protected status he went to HR and said she had to stay and asked for help to figure out a way to keep her on as much as possible. She teleworked 100% toward the end. Colleagues and DH worked extra hard to meet deliverables, there was zero impact to the program. She didn't survive but at least had insurance and a paycheck till the end.

need more people in the workplace like ur dad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The job of a PM is to deliver a product on time and on budget. Part of that job is risk mitigation. OP -- you represent a risk to the project. You and the PM should be open and honest with each other and together create a risk mitigation plan. The plan needs to include a transition plan including a transition timeline. No one on the project should be caught off guard or left in the lurch if you are suddenly out.

It is not right for the PM not to put you on the project if you are qualified and can deliver your work product. But in case something happens, there needs to be a plan B in place.

This is exactly correct...based on statistics, I have an 80% chance of recurrence during the period of performance for the project. I get that. I live with that every day. Oh, and the 80% chance of recurrence is only slightly better than probability of dying. However, I am 50 yo....I do not have savings for retirement, and I am mostly asymptomatic (symptoms are a result of surgical issues and not the cancer itself).

At a certain level it will be difficult to replace me, What I can do, though is document what I am doing...so people will know.

If I were the PM on the project, I would gladly welcome you to team. You seem to have a realistic outlook on what may/may not occur. But more importantly you are willing to document. Set up a weekly mtg with the PM to go over specifically what was done this week, what is on tap for next week, as well as a longer timeline. Also set up a debrief/ update mtg with whomever would assume your duties. Open honest communication is going to be critical to your success on this project--both from you and the PM.

I wish you the best on the project and a positive outcome in life. I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with this. Cancer just sucks!

It will not be feasible to meet with the PM every week. It is a large project (12 million per year for two years, with multiple options). However, I regularly meet with my lead on the project. As for now, I have through the summer when all should be well, then my next scans. After that, we have three more months.

The timing of the spirals are not optimally aligned with my cancer, but what can I do?

I have known the PM for 18 years. He is not a bad guy; he would do what he could to help me. He just hates risk. Particularly that which he can not control. I have been very open with my health issues.

Stop doing this! He takes that info and does the wrong thing with it. He takes your honesty as a license to shut you out and get you removed, which is illegal. He may generally be a nice guy, but also an idiot. You are not required to give him a detailed rundown of your health issues. You just have to stop doing that. You do what you can to the best of your ability. That's what EVERYONE does, whether they have current health issues or not. If something comes up, you devise a plan for the time you forsee being out, just like with a pregnancy. You do what you can. Best of luck and be sure to take care of yourself on all fronts, personally and professionally.

[Anonymous]

1427++ 18 years and your PM is clueless about these legalities, so much that he puts it in writing? Your PM is a moron. Stop sharing info with him about your health. And best wishes for your good health OP!