On my first day at Cisco, I used to be nervous and excited on the similar time. I spent my time onboarding, studying the instruments, processes and procedures, turning into a part of a mission administration workforce, and attending to know my coworkers. I even joined the Linked Black Professionals Inclusive Group, which a few of my closest coworkers have been members of. I felt part of the Cisco household from Day One. In just some months, my supervisor was already having discussions with me about my subsequent profession transfer. Wait, what? I simply received right here.
5 months later, time utterly stopped once I heard, “Ms. Williams, I’m so sorry to tell you that you’ve got been identified with Stage I breast most cancers.”
As soon as I received previous the primary night time of crying, I noticed I’d lose my job with this analysis. I used to be an emotional wreck. I used to be so afraid to inform my supervisor about my analysis as a result of I knew I’d get terminated. I even began searching for different monetary choices.
Effectively, to my shock, my dialogue with my supervisor went utterly reverse to my expectations. He stated, “You’re in a battle on your life proper now. You may have quite a lot of issues to fret about, however your job shouldn’t be considered one of them.”
He additionally informed me about and inspired me to make the most of the medical profit that permits us to get a second opinion. I used to be in a position to see one other physician in Boston with out even leaving my home. She reviewed my paperwork, answered all my questions, and made me really feel safe.
And that’s when my Cisco household stepped in and stepped up for me.
I spent the complete yr of 2019 in remedy, together with two main surgical procedures. To start with, my oncologists stated I couldn’t work as a result of the chemo was so harsh, however I couldn’t let most cancers beat me. So, my supervisor and I compromised, and I labored on one mission.
My workforce checked on me each day. “How are you feeling right now? Is there something that you simply want?”
As a mission supervisor, it’s my job to ensure every little thing stays on observe, however there have been instances once I didn’t need my shoppers to see me bald from the chemo, or the negative effects from the treatment have been an excessive amount of, or I used to be in remedy, and my workforce received on flights, went to in-person conferences, and took on what I couldn’t. They jumped in so seamlessly and selflessly; even folks I labored with at Cisco didn’t know I used to be sick.
And Linked Black Professionals (CBP) members surrounded me with real Cisco love. They stored me going with their calls, texts, flowers, and visits. It was the little issues, too. The articles they despatched for me to learn and the workout routines they shared which may assist my restoration. The ladies I used to be closest with even introduced me groceries and took me to my remedies. There have been days I couldn’t see the top of the rainbow — I couldn’t see myself right now — and so they received me via them. The emotional help? Oh, they gave it to me.
Three years later, I’m nonetheless shocked I acquired such a help and have an incredible quantity of affection and loyalty to Cisco. My CBP household nonetheless checks in on my children and me. I’m taking over tougher tasks, and people profession development and future plan talks with my supervisor are again on observe.
I do know why Cisco is voted #1 Greatest Office within the U.S. — this tradition can’t be duplicated. I put on my Cisco shirts with satisfaction! That is residence, and we’re household.
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