ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Sarah Donnelly - Lawyer
Westpac's Sarah Donnelly wants to encourage more open conversations about why and how an individual might continue to work while undergoing treatment for serious illnesses.

Why you should listen

Sarah Donnelly was diagnosed with breast cancer at 30 years of age -- a story all too familiar among young women in her family. She chose to continue full-time employment throughout treatment and is living proof that work can play a crucial role in a person's mental and physical recovery from a serious illness. While her employer backed her decision, Donnelly has learned that the way organizations approach this issue varies greatly. This has sparked a personal mission to encourage more open conversations about why and how an individual might continue to work while undergoing treatment.  

A lawyer by trade, Donnelly is currently the Head of Group Secretariat at Westpac. She is an ally for GLOBAL, Westpac Group's Employee Action Group for LGBTIQ employees, a member of Women of Westpac, an advocate of Breast Cancer Network Australia and volunteers with Vinnie’s Van. She is an avid traveler and, when at home in Sydney's Blue Mountains, can usually be found out on a trail.

More profile about the speaker
Sarah Donnelly | Speaker | TED.com
TED@Westpac

Sarah Donnelly: How work kept me going during my cancer treatment

Sarah Donnelly: Como o trabalho me fez seguir em frente durante meu tratamento contra o câncer

Filmed:
981,552 views

Quando a advogada Sarah Donnelly foi diagnosticada com câncer de mama, ela se voltou para seus amigos e familiares em busca de apoio, mas também encontrou significado, foco e estabilidade em seu trabalho. Em uma palestra pessoal sobre por que e como ela permaneceu no trabalho, ela compartilha sua percepção de como os locais de trabalho podem acomodar pessoas passando por doenças graves, porque os benefícios são nos dois sentidos.
- Lawyer
Westpac's Sarah Donnelly wants to encourage more open conversations about why and how an individual might continue to work while undergoing treatment for serious illnesses. Full bio

Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.

00:13
It was June 2014.
0
1436
2700
Era junho de 2014.
00:16
I was 30 years old,
1
4754
1309
Eu tinha 30 anos de idade,
00:19
and I received a call
from my doctor's office
2
7119
2110
me ligaram do consultório da minha médica
00:21
to say my test results were in.
3
9253
2067
para dizer que meus resultados
estavam prontos.
00:24
So I walked up to see her
in my lunch break, and my doctor said
4
12460
4373
Fui vê-la no horário de almoço,
e minha médica disse
00:28
she was very sorry to tell me
that I had breast cancer.
5
16857
3655
que sentia muito em me dizer
que eu tinha câncer de mama.
00:34
I didn't want to believe her
and at first, I didn't.
6
22442
4246
Eu não queria acreditar nela e,
a princípio, não acreditei.
00:38
You see, I'm a lawyer
and I needed some evidence.
7
26712
3785
Sou advogada e precisava de provas.
00:42
So I'm very embarrassed to tell you all
8
30601
2603
Tenho muita vergonha
de contar a todos vocês
00:45
that I stood up and I walked around
to where she was sitting
9
33228
3850
que eu me levantei e andei
até onde ela estava sentada
00:49
so that I could look
over her shoulder and verify
10
37102
2890
para que eu pudesse olhar
por cima do seu ombro e verificar
00:52
what was written
on the page in front of her.
11
40016
2105
o que estava escrito
na página na frente dela.
00:54
(Laughter)
12
42145
1202
(Risos)
00:55
Malignant carcinoma.
13
43371
1587
Carcinoma maligno.
00:57
But still not wanting
to believe it, I said,
14
45864
3324
Ainda não querendo acreditar, eu disse:
01:01
"Now, malignant carcinoma,
you're sure that means cancer?"
15
49212
5601
"Carcinoma maligno, você tem certeza
que isso significa câncer?"
01:06
(Laughter)
16
54837
1206
(Risos)
01:08
She told me she was sure.
17
56067
1667
Ela me disse que tinha certeza.
De volta ao trabalho, entreguei as coisas
urgentes que precisavam ser feitas
01:11
Back at work, I handed over
the urgent things that needed to be done
18
59376
3500
01:14
while I was having more tests
to see if my cancer had spread.
19
62900
3296
enquanto fazia mais testes para ver
se meu câncer havia se espalhado.
01:18
But at that moment,
work wasn't my priority.
20
66895
3000
Mas naquele momento,
o trabalho não era prioridade.
01:23
I was thinking about how I was going
to tell my family and friends
21
71046
3120
Estava pensando em como ia contar
para minha família e amigos
01:26
that I had cancer.
22
74190
1200
que eu tinha câncer.
01:28
How I was going to answer their questions
23
76165
1968
Como ia responder as perguntas deles
sobre a gravidade e se eu ia ficar bem,
01:30
about how bad it was
and whether I was going to be OK,
24
78157
3095
quando eu mesma não sabia.
01:33
when I didn't know that myself.
25
81276
1817
01:36
I was wondering if my partner and I
26
84307
1691
Queria saber se meu parceiro e eu
teríamos a oportunidade
de começar uma família.
01:38
would ever have an opportunity
to start a family.
27
86022
2317
01:41
And I was figuring out
how I was going to tell my mother,
28
89094
3444
E estava pensando em como
eu ia contar para minha mãe,
01:44
who had herself had breast cancer
when she was pregnant with me.
29
92562
3753
que teve câncer de mama
quando estava grávida de mim.
01:49
She would know how I was feeling
30
97165
1928
Ela saberia como eu estava me sentindo
01:51
and have an idea of what lay ahead for me.
31
99117
2627
e teria noção do que eu enfrentaria.
01:53
But I also didn't want her
to have to relive her cancer experience.
32
101768
4588
Mas eu também não queria que ela tivesse
que reviver toda experiência com o câncer.
01:59
What I didn't appreciate at the time
33
107568
2294
O que eu não entendia na época
02:01
was that work was about to play
a huge role in my treatment and recovery.
34
109886
4484
era que o trabalho ia desempenhar um papel
enorme no meu tratamento e recuperação.
02:07
That it would be my coworkers and my job
35
115402
3135
Que seriam meus colegas
de trabalho e meu emprego
02:10
that would make me feel valuable and human
36
118561
2008
que me fariam sentir valiosa e humana
em momentos que eu teria
me sentido como uma estatística.
02:12
at times when I would have
otherwise felt like a statistic.
37
120593
2795
02:16
That it would be my job
that would give me routine and stability
38
124379
4174
Que seria o meu trabalho
que me daria rotina e estabilidade
02:20
when I was dealing with so many
difficult personal decisions
39
128577
2825
quando eu estava lidando
com tantas decisões pessoais difíceis
02:23
and so much uncertainty.
40
131426
1572
e tanta incerteza.
02:25
Like, what sort of breast
reconstruction I was going to have.
41
133022
4133
Como que tipo de reconstrução
de mama eu faria.
02:30
And at a time like that,
42
138680
1619
E num momento como esse,
02:32
you would think that I would turn
to my family and friends for support.
43
140323
3554
é normal achar que me voltaria
para a família e amigos pra me apoiar.
E sim, claro que fiz isso.
02:35
And yes, of course I did that.
44
143901
2706
02:39
But it would ultimately be my colleagues
45
147806
1929
Mas no final das contas foram meus colegas
02:41
who would play a huge role
in my day-to-day life.
46
149759
4373
que desempenharam um papel
enorme no meu dia a dia.
02:46
And they would be
the ones to make me laugh.
47
154625
2990
Eram eles que me faziam rir.
02:49
You see, we were a pretty close team,
48
157639
3184
Nós éramos uma equipe muito próxima,
02:52
and we shared a couple
of really good in-jokes,
49
160847
2563
e compartilhávamos
algumas boas piadas internas,
02:55
like this time they overheard
someone ask me
50
163434
3961
como uma vez que eles ouviram
alguém me perguntar
02:59
how I got my hair so shiny and perfect --
51
167419
3755
como mantinha meu cabelo
tão brilhante e perfeito,
03:04
without knowing that it was,
of course, a wig,
52
172002
2992
sem saber que era, é claro, uma peruca.
03:07
and you know, it was a very good wig
53
175018
2127
Era uma peruca muito boa
03:09
and it did make getting ready
in the mornings very easy.
54
177169
3156
e facilitava muito para eu
me arrumar de manhã.
03:12
(Laughter)
55
180349
1347
(Risos)
03:13
But in little moments like this,
I appreciated what their support meant,
56
181720
4619
Mas em pequenos momentos como este,
eu valorizava o apoio deles,
03:18
and I wondered what I would
have done without that network.
57
186363
3174
e me perguntava o que faria sem isso.
03:22
I've spoken with so many people,
women in particular,
58
190716
4158
Eu falei com tantas pessoas,
mulheres especialmente,
03:26
who haven't had the chance
to have that network
59
194898
2873
que não tinham tido a chance
de ter essa rede de apoio
03:29
because they haven't been given
the opportunity to work through treatment.
60
197795
3976
porque elas não tiveram a oportunidade
de trabalhar durante o tratamento.
03:35
And there are several reasons for this.
61
203471
2269
E existem várias razões para isso,
03:37
But I think it mostly comes down
to overly paternalistic employers.
62
205764
3821
mas acho que se deve principalmente
a empregadores paternalistas demais.
03:42
These employers want you to go away
and focus on yourself.
63
210375
4369
Esses empregadores querem que você
vá embora e se concentre em si mesmo,
03:47
And come back when you're better.
64
215077
2246
e volte quando estiver melhor.
03:50
And they use those kinds of phrases.
65
218196
2400
Eles usam esse tipo de frases.
03:53
And while these responses
are well-meaning,
66
221135
3174
E embora essas reações
sejam bem-intencionadas,
03:56
knowing the benefits it brought me,
67
224333
1920
sabendo dos benefícios que me trouxe,
03:58
it makes me incredibly frustrated
68
226277
2992
fico incrivelmente frustrada
04:01
when people are told
that they couldn’t or shouldn't work,
69
229293
3868
quando dizem às pessoas
que não podem ou não devem trabalhar,
04:05
when it's something that they want to do
and physically can do.
70
233185
3265
se é algo que elas querem,
e, fisicamente, podem fazer.
04:09
So I started to look into
what an employer is required to do
71
237605
3210
Então, eu comecei a pesquisar
o que um empregador é obrigado a fazer
04:12
when someone presents
with a cancer diagnosis.
72
240839
2706
quando alguém se apresenta
com um diagnóstico de câncer.
04:16
I discovered that under Australian law,
cancer is considered a disability.
73
244839
4404
Eu descobri que sob a lei australiana,
o câncer é considerado uma deficiência.
04:21
So if you are unable to perform
your usual work duties,
74
249835
3413
Então, se você é incapaz de executar
as tarefas normais de trabalho,
04:25
your employer is obligated
by the Disability Discrimination Act
75
253272
3920
o empregador é obrigado, pela lei
de discriminação por deficiência,
04:29
to make reasonable adjustments
to your working arrangements,
76
257216
3099
a fazer ajustes razoáveis
no regime de trabalho,
04:32
so that you can continue to work.
77
260339
2444
para que você possa continuar trabalhando.
04:36
What would reasonable
adjustments look like for me?
78
264014
2866
Como seriam os ajustes razoáveis para mim?
04:40
I knew the obvious impacts
my diagnosis was going to have on work.
79
268579
3928
Eu sabia os impactos óbvios
que meu diagnóstico teria no trabalho.
04:45
Medical appointments would be scheduled
during business hours,
80
273000
3341
Consultas médicas seriam agendadas
durante o horário comercial,
04:48
and I knew that I would need time off
to recover from surgical procedures.
81
276365
4350
e eu sabia que precisaria de folga para
me recuperar de procedimentos cirúrgicos.
04:53
Again, being a typical lawyer,
82
281490
2429
Mais uma vez, sendo uma advogada típica,
04:55
I had done my due diligence
on what to expect from treatment.
83
283944
3871
fiz minha devida diligência
sobre o que esperar do tratamento.
05:00
Admittedly, a lot of that
was through Doctor Google,
84
288371
2445
Confesso que muito foi
através do "Doutor Google",
talvez não tenha sido minha melhor
jogada e não recomendo.
05:02
perhaps not my best move
and I wouldn't recommend that.
85
290840
3035
05:05
(Laughter)
86
293895
1150
(Risos)
05:07
But while I was ready
for all the physical side effects,
87
295207
3142
Mas apesar de estar pronta
para os efeitos colaterais físicos,
05:10
what really scared me
was this thing called chemo brain.
88
298373
3425
o que me assustava era uma coisa
chamada "nevoeiro quimioterápico".
05:15
Chemo brain presents itself
through memory loss,
89
303103
3131
O nevoeiro quimioterápico se apresenta
através da perda de memória,
05:18
an inability to concentrate
90
306258
2197
uma incapacidade de se concentrar
05:20
and an inability to solve problems.
91
308479
2334
e de resolver problemas.
05:23
And if this happened to me,
92
311226
1762
E se acontecesse comigo,
05:25
I wondered how I was going to do
my job as a lawyer.
93
313012
2794
eu me perguntava como iria fazer
meu trabalho como advogada.
05:28
Would I be forced to leave work?
94
316415
1794
Eu seria forçada a sair do trabalho?
05:30
And how could I possibly
have a discussion with my manager
95
318924
4349
E como poderia discutir com meu gerente
05:35
about reasonable adjustments
to my working arrangements
96
323297
2899
os ajustes razoáveis
no meu regime de trabalho
05:38
when I didn't know
how I was going to be impacted?
97
326220
2516
quando eu não sabia como seria impactada?
05:41
I was fortunate to have
a supportive manager
98
329823
3222
Tive a sorte de ter um gerente solidário
05:45
who was happy to see
how things went as we went along,
99
333069
3818
que se satisfez em ver como as coisas
seriam conforme passássemos por elas,
05:48
rather than requiring
a concrete plan up front.
100
336911
3097
em vez de exigir um plano prévio concreto.
05:53
I was lucky that while
he may not have even known
101
341546
3341
Eu tive sorte que,
embora ele sequer conhecesse
05:56
about this concept
of reasonable adjustments,
102
344911
2730
o conceito de ajustes razoáveis,
05:59
to him, it was just common sense.
103
347665
2698
para ele, era apenas bom senso.
06:03
But I've learned that it's not
common sense to everyone.
104
351220
3254
Mas aprendi que não é
bom senso para todos.
06:08
Everyone going through treatment
will learn how it impacts them
105
356625
3301
Todos que passam pelo tratamento
aprendem como ele os afeta
06:11
and what their limitations are.
106
359950
1793
e quais são as limitações.
06:14
And they'll learn to adjust for that.
107
362871
2063
E eles aprendem a se ajustar.
06:16
So for me, there were the tips and tricks
that I learned about the treatment itself,
108
364958
4657
Pra mim, havia as dicas e truques
que eu aprendi sobre o tratamento em si,
06:21
like, before you go to chemo,
109
369639
1730
como, antes da quimioterapia,
06:23
you need to make sure
you're really well hydrated
110
371393
2309
precisava ter certeza
de que estava bem hidratada
06:25
and that you're warm, because it helps
the nurses to find your veins.
111
373726
3381
e aquecida, porque ajuda
as enfermeiras a encontrar as veias.
06:29
And make sure that you don't eat
any of your favorite food,
112
377474
2944
E me certificar de não comer
uma comida favorita,
06:32
either before or after chemo,
113
380442
1953
antes ou depois da quimioterapia,
06:34
because you're going to be
throwing that up
114
382419
2269
porque ia vomitar
06:36
and you won't ever
want to look at it again.
115
384712
2102
e nunca mais ia querer ver aquilo de novo.
06:38
(Laughter)
116
386838
1190
(Risos)
Aprendi da maneira mais difícil.
06:40
I learned that one the hard way.
117
388052
1555
06:42
And then there were the tricks
for managing my workflow.
118
390292
2952
E depois havia os truques
para gerenciar o fluxo de trabalho.
06:45
I scheduled chemo for first thing
on a Monday morning.
119
393720
2757
Marcava quimioterapia
na primeira hora de segunda-feira.
06:49
I knew that from the time
I left the cancer care unit,
120
397171
3072
Sabia que assim que saía
da unidade de tratamento do câncer,
06:52
I had about four hours
before this fog screen would come down
121
400267
4429
tinha cerca de quatro horas
antes da névoa dissipar
06:56
and I would start to be sick.
122
404720
1840
e eu começava a passar mal.
06:58
So I would use that time to clean my inbox
and make any urgent calls.
123
406863
4174
Eu usava esse tempo para ler
e-mails e fazer ligações urgentes.
07:04
The worst of the sickness would be gone
within about 48 hours.
124
412371
3511
O pior do mal-estar desaparecia
dentro de 48 horas.
07:08
And then I would log back
into work from home.
125
416228
2238
E então eu voltava a trabalhar de casa.
07:12
This treatment continued
and I knew what to expect.
126
420053
3143
O tratamento continuou
e eu sabia o que esperar.
07:15
I was able to set reasonable expectations
with my business partners
127
423220
3429
Conseguia estabelecer expectativas
razoáveis com parceiros de trabalho,
07:18
about what I could do
128
426673
1889
do que eu conseguia fazer
e os prazos que poderia atender.
07:20
and the time frames that I could do it in.
129
428586
2192
07:23
But I still remember
the hesitation in their voices
130
431387
4031
Mas ainda me lembro
da hesitação nas vozes deles
07:27
when it came to asking for things.
131
435442
2207
quando se tratava de pedir coisas.
07:29
And asking me to do things
by a certain time.
132
437673
2825
E me pedir para fazer
algo dentro de um prazo.
07:32
And trust me, these were people
133
440522
1994
Acreditem em mim, estas eram pessoas
07:34
that were not afraid
of setting a good deadline.
134
442540
2267
que não tinham medo
de estabelecer um bom prazo.
07:36
(Laughter)
135
444836
1150
(Risos)
07:38
I got the impression they didn't want
to put any extra pressure on me
136
446569
3445
Tinha a impressão de que não queriam
colocar nenhuma pressão extra em mim,
07:42
while I was going through treatment.
137
450038
1753
enquanto eu passava pelo tratamento.
07:44
And while I appreciated the sentiment,
138
452133
2389
E apesar de apreciar o sentimento,
07:46
I actually needed the deadlines.
139
454546
2133
eu realmente precisava dos prazos.
07:49
To me, that was something
within my control
140
457085
2754
Para mim, era algo dentro do meu controle
07:51
and something
that could stay in my control
141
459863
2944
e algo que eu podia manter sob controle,
quando havia tantas coisas que não podia.
07:54
when there were so many
things that couldn't.
142
462831
2159
07:57
And as I was working from home,
143
465720
2428
E enquanto eu trabalhava em casa,
08:00
I was thinking about how employers
should be applying this concept
144
468172
3437
pensava em como os empregadores
deveriam aplicar este conceito
08:03
of reasonable adjustments
in our current age,
145
471633
2372
de ajustes razoáveis em nossa época atual,
08:06
where one in two Australian men and women
146
474712
3302
em que um em cada dois homens
e mulheres australianos
08:10
will be diagnosed with cancer
by the age of 85.
147
478038
3166
será diagnosticado com câncer
até os 85 anos de idade.
08:13
So, as we continue to work
longer and longer into older age,
148
481815
5008
Como continuamos a trabalhar
mais e mais até a idade avançada,
08:18
the chances of having a serious illness
while we're in the workforce
149
486847
3436
as chances de ter uma doença grave
estando ainda no mercado de trabalho
08:22
are increasing.
150
490307
1150
estão aumentando.
08:24
And with technology enabling us
to work anywhere, any time,
151
492584
5000
Com a tecnologia que nos permite trabalhar
em qualquer lugar, a qualquer hora,
08:29
reasonable adjustments
are no longer contingent upon
152
497608
3793
ajustes razoáveis não dependem mais
08:33
whether or not you can continue
to physically make it
153
501425
2893
de poder ou não estar presencialmente
08:36
into the physical office.
154
504342
1886
no escritório físico.
08:39
Reasonable adjustments are also not about
155
507299
2223
Ajustes razoáveis também não são
08:41
just offering a longer break
or a comfier chair to sit in,
156
509546
3998
apenas oferecer uma pausa mais longa
ou uma cadeira confortável para sentar,
08:45
although those things might be good, too.
157
513568
2404
embora essas coisas sejam boas também.
08:48
At the very least,
158
516854
1310
No mínimo,
08:50
we need to be applying
the flexibility policies and strategies
159
518188
3245
precisamos aplicar as políticas
e estratégias de flexibilidade
08:53
we've developed for other scenarios,
160
521457
1811
que desenvolvemos pra outros cenários,
08:55
like for people
with family responsibilities.
161
523292
3243
como pessoas com responsabilidades
familiares, por exemplo.
08:59
But how can we ensure that people
are even having a conversation
162
527831
4500
Mas como podemos garantir
que as pessoas sequer falarão
09:04
about what reasonable adjustments
might look like for them
163
532355
3405
sobre quais ajustes razoáveis
se aplicariam a elas
09:07
if a manager's first response is to say,
164
535784
3039
se a primeira reação de um gerente for:
09:10
"Oh no, don't come back to work
until you're better."
165
538847
3580
"Não volte a trabalhar
até que esteja melhor."?
09:15
And a light went on for me.
166
543435
1698
E uma luz acendeu pra mim.
09:17
It must be compulsory for managers
167
545903
2072
Deve ser obrigatório para os gerentes
ter essas conversas com os funcionários.
09:19
to have to have these conversations
with their employees.
168
547999
3237
09:23
And lessons from people like me,
169
551855
2278
E, lições de pessoas como eu,
09:26
that have really benefited
from working through treatment,
170
554157
2904
que se beneficiaram do trabalho
durante o tratamento,
09:29
need to be more widely shared.
171
557085
2000
precisam ser amplamente compartilhadas.
09:31
And I thought about what could be done
to guide these conversations,
172
559990
3944
Eu pensava no que poderia ser feito
para guiar essas conversas,
09:35
and then an amazing
colleague of mine, Camilla Gunn,
173
563958
3603
e então uma incrível
colega minha, Camilla Gunn,
criou o kit de ferramentas:
"Trabalhando com Câncer".
09:39
developed a "Working with Cancer" toolkit.
174
567585
2373
09:42
The toolkit provides a framework
for those diagnosed,
175
570855
3627
O kit de ferramentas fornece
uma estrutura para os diagnosticados,
09:46
their managers, their carers
and their coworkers
176
574506
2992
e para os gerentes, cuidadores
e colegas de trabalho deles,
09:49
to have conversations about cancer
and the work support available.
177
577522
3836
terem conversas sobre o câncer
e o apoio ao trabalho disponível.
09:54
Camilla and I have now been
to other organizations
178
582101
2409
Camilla e eu fomos a outras organizações
para falar do kit de ferramentas
09:56
to talk about the toolkit
179
584534
1219
09:57
and how it can help to guide through
180
585777
2587
e como podia ajudar a orientar
10:00
what, quite frankly, are otherwise
some pretty awkward conversations.
181
588388
3736
o que, francamente, de outra forma seriam
algumas conversas bastante embaraçosas.
10:04
And I'm pleased to say that the uptake
of the toolkit is increasing.
182
592632
3919
E tenho o prazer de dizer que a aceitação
do kit de ferramentas está aumentando.
10:10
So what should be
a manager's first response
183
598005
2540
Então, qual deve ser
a primeira reação de um gerente
quando alguém diz que está doente
10:12
when somebody says that they're sick
184
600569
2414
10:15
and they don't know
how it's going to impact their work?
185
603007
2762
e ele não sabe como isso
afetará o trabalho dele?
10:18
It must be this:
186
606450
2238
Deve ser essa:
10:20
"To the extent that you
are able, and want to,
187
608712
3778
"Na medida em que você for capaz e quiser,
10:24
we would love to work out
an arrangement for you
188
612514
2333
gostaríamos de desenvolver
um acordo para você
10:26
to continue to work through treatment."
189
614871
2086
continuar trabalhando
durante o tratamento".
10:29
We need to start positively engaging
people with serious illness
190
617518
3928
Precisamos envolver positivamente
as pessoas com doenças graves
10:33
to keep them in the workforce,
191
621470
2500
para mantê-las na força de trabalho,
10:35
rather than paternalistically
pushing them away.
192
623994
3133
em vez de afastá-las paternalisticamente.
10:40
I've told you my story
because I want you to know the benefits
193
628299
4045
Eu lhes contei minha história porque
quero que vocês conheçam os benefícios
10:44
that working through treatment brought me.
194
632368
2072
que trabalhar durante
o tratamento me trouxe.
10:46
And I also want to change your perceptions
195
634836
2027
E eu também quero mudar suas percepções,
10:48
if you think that somebody
going through treatment
196
636887
2443
se vocês acham que alguém
que está em tratamento
10:51
is just bored, frail and vomiting a lot.
197
639354
3571
está entediado, frágil e vomitando muito.
10:55
And yes, these things
were true some of the time,
198
643784
2912
E, sim, essas coisas eram
verdadeiras uma parte do tempo,
10:58
if not a lot of the time,
199
646720
2246
ou a maior parte do tempo,
11:00
but I was also determined
to push myself at work
200
648990
2421
mas também queria me dedicar ao trabalho
11:03
as much as I had always done.
201
651435
1730
tanto quanto eu sempre fiz.
11:05
And I was able to do that
because my employer gave me the choice.
202
653625
4611
E eu pude fazer isso porque
meu empregador me deu a escolha.
11:11
Most importantly, I'm telling you
203
659307
2245
Mais importante, eu estou dizendo a vocês
11:13
because while it's a seemingly
obvious choice to give someone,
204
661576
4176
porque, embora seja uma escolha
aparentemente óbvia pra se dar a alguém,
11:17
it's not one that is always
offered or encouraged.
205
665776
3358
não é sempre a oferecida ou incentivada.
11:21
And it must be.
206
669158
1150
E deve ser.
11:23
Thank you.
207
671666
1167
Obrigada.
11:24
(Applause)
208
672857
4087
(Aplausos)
Translated by Carolina Aguirre
Reviewed by Maricene Crus

▲Back to top

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Sarah Donnelly - Lawyer
Westpac's Sarah Donnelly wants to encourage more open conversations about why and how an individual might continue to work while undergoing treatment for serious illnesses.

Why you should listen

Sarah Donnelly was diagnosed with breast cancer at 30 years of age -- a story all too familiar among young women in her family. She chose to continue full-time employment throughout treatment and is living proof that work can play a crucial role in a person's mental and physical recovery from a serious illness. While her employer backed her decision, Donnelly has learned that the way organizations approach this issue varies greatly. This has sparked a personal mission to encourage more open conversations about why and how an individual might continue to work while undergoing treatment.  

A lawyer by trade, Donnelly is currently the Head of Group Secretariat at Westpac. She is an ally for GLOBAL, Westpac Group's Employee Action Group for LGBTIQ employees, a member of Women of Westpac, an advocate of Breast Cancer Network Australia and volunteers with Vinnie’s Van. She is an avid traveler and, when at home in Sydney's Blue Mountains, can usually be found out on a trail.

More profile about the speaker
Sarah Donnelly | Speaker | TED.com

Data provided by TED.

This site was created in May 2015 and the last update was on January 12, 2020. It will no longer be updated.

We are currently creating a new site called "eng.lish.video" and would be grateful if you could access it.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to write comments in your language on the contact form.

Privacy Policy

Developer's Blog

Buy Me A Coffee