American Water joins pledge to end cancer stigma

American Water ABLED EBRG members join EVP & COO Cheryl Norton and EVP & CHRO Melanie Kennedy to highlight American Water's Working with Cancer Pledge.

American Water joined the global Working with Cancer initiative to provide a more open, supportive and recovery-forward culture at work for all colleagues coping with cancer, as patients and caregivers.

EVP and Chief Operating Officer Cheryl Norton and EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer Melanie Kennedy recently signed the Working with Cancer pledge, taken by dozens of businesses worldwide.

Dorothy Rader, Kentucky American Water Operations Manager and an ABLED Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG) member brought the pledge to the attention of the Executive Leadership Team while she was battling cancer. American Water’s ABLED EBRG advocates creating equity for employees with all types of disabilities (visible and invisible), caregivers and their allies to lead and excel personally and professionally.

“Throughout the entire process, I have been supported by both Presidents and Vice Presidents, in addition to my other coworkers,” stated Dorothy. “They all rallied around me, and I feel they truly have my best interest at heart. I know I’m not the only employee with cancer that has been treated with such great support.”

The pledge comes after findings that 50% of cancer patients are afraid to tell their employer about their diagnosis, despite 92% believing the support they get at work positively impacts their health.*

“I’m grateful to American Water that I did not suffer that fear,” noted Dorothy.

American Water’s Working with Cancer Pledge
We proudly pledge our support to assist our employees in staying positive, coping, and drawing on the care and concern of coworkers. Cancer is more than a battle or a fight – it's a lifelong journey that requires deep commitment from employers like us so that our people can live with and recover from cancer. We stand with them.

Why American Water
People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package and opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals. Learn more: https://www.amwater.com/careers


* https://www.workingwithcancerpledge.com/about-the-pledge