The disclosure decisions of women with chronic illness at work are influenced by a number of factors including: stigma, available flexibilities and the individual’s power within their workplace. The topic of power as it relates to women with chronic illness is largely unexplored. This research found that disclosure provides the key to accessing power for these employees. Power combined with resource dependency theory (RDT) helps to explain the importance of having the skills and knowledge, or access to other sources of power such as union membership, in order for these women to obtain the accommodations that they need for their illness.