Labor Day 2004: Work/Life Connections Project Examines Role of the Cancer Survivor in the American Workplace

With globalization, outsourcing and productivity gains at the forefront of labor issues this year, a new report from Good Health for Life begins to examine the role of cancer survivors in the American workplace. The Good Health for Life -- Work/Life Connections program is a groundbreaking research project measuring the effects of work, health and family issues on cancer survivors to encourage employers, as well as fellow employees, to shed old prejudices about workers with cancer. http://www.ghfl.org/index_Page535.htm

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) September 15, 2004 -- With globalization, outsourcing and productivity gains at the forefront of labor issues this year, a new report from Good Health for Life begins to examine the role of cancer survivors in the American workplace. The Good Health for Life -- Work/Life Connections program is a groundbreaking research project measuring the effects of work, health and family issues on cancer survivors to encourage employers, as well as fellow employees, to shed old prejudices about workers with cancer.

As the need in this country grows for a more highly trained, experienced and productive workforce, it is becoming increasing difficult to overlook a pool of more than 9 million cancer survivors who for the most part are ready, able and more than willing to get back to work. It is important that a factual baseline for examining these trends exists.

The Good Health for Life Work/Life Connections research project is collecting data and producing a report that includes an in-depth examination of cancer survivors in the U.S. workplace. American workers are extraordinarily productive; in 2002, the United States produced over 21% of the world's global output with less than 5% of the world's labor force. As more low-scale jobs are outsourced and fewer Americans enter the workforce, harnessing a pool of talent that resides within the community of cancer survivors begins to make better and better business sense.

Preliminary results of the cancer survivors surveyed in the Work/Life Connections project show:
·   67% have completed at least 4 years of college
·   37% speak more than one language with some fluency
·   51% would be able to work at least 40 hours per week with the flexibility of telecommuting
·   84% believe their work plays an important role in positively defining their self image
·   69% have a minimum of 10 years of business experience

Most new jobs will require higher levels of education and specific skills, but for the first time slower population growth has left the group of America's youngest workers (ages 26-35) with fewer college graduates than the group it is replacing (ages 36-45). And, the American workplace will face a significant labor shortage within the next 30 years due to slower labor force growth.

The American workplace must address these important issues for American workers to continue to enjoy the highest standard-of-living in the world. Harnessing the talents of a highly educated, skilled workforce of cancer survivors can be a critical component to the future income growth and prosperity of all Americans.

Good Health for Lifes mission is to foster an environment in which cancer survivors with entrepreneurial talent and desire, have the support, information and tools they need to succeed-to live self-sufficiently in healthy communities.

We are dedicated to efforts that oppose the marginalization of cancer survivors from the workplace and deem it unacceptable that businesses should squander the more than 9 million American cancer survivors and those that will be diagnosed in the coming years.

Cancer will affect one in three Americans during their lifetimes. While medical care is essential for cancer survivors, often it is just as important for these people to maintain as normal a life as possible to speed recovery and maintain a positive quality of life. But once people are treated and living longer, where is the investment in getting them back to work by overcoming personal, financial and institutional biases? Where are the advocates educating business on the value of working with these exceptional people.

Good Health for Life is a nonprofit entrepreneurship center and economic research, education and advocacy foundation that focuses on helping get cancer survivors back to work.

CONTACT:
Louise Stanley, Executive Director
Good Health for Life, Inc.
530.647.9047
lstanley@ghfl.org
http://www.ghfl.org

http://www.ghfl.org/index_Page535.htm

# # #