OBJECTIVES:  The impact of health-related quality of life (HRQL) on work-outcomes, such as absenteeism and presenteeism, has been examined; however, this impact has not been clearly quantified specifically in samples of oncology patients. This study quantified the association between differences in SF-12v2® Health Survey (SF-12v2) physical or mental component scores (PCS and MCS) scores and work-related outcomes among patients with cancer not in remission. METHODS:  Data came from adult participants in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey who completed at least one SF-12v2 questionnaire and reported a diagnosis of cancer not in remission (n=548). Generalized linear mixed models were used with absenteeism (percentage of lost days of paid and unpaid work) and presenteeism (serious cognitive limitations) as the outcome. Predictors included SF-12v2 PCS and MCS with sociodemographic factors as covariates. Analyses examined these effects in the entire sample and specifically among employed patients. RESULTS:  A five-point greater (more favorable) PCS and MCS score was associated with 9% and 20% lower odds, respectively, of having lost work days. Among employed subjects, a 5-point greater PCS and MCS score was associated with 20% and 24% lower odds of missing work days, respectively. A five-point greater PCS and MCS was also associated with 24% and 33% decline, respectively, in the odds of experiencing serious cognitive limitations; among employed subjects, the decline in the odds of experiencing cognitive limitations were 12% and 38%, for a 5-point greater PCS and MCS, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:  Better PCS and MCS scores were associated with lower odds of missing work days and experiencing serious cognitive difficulties, suggesting a close link between improved HRQL scores and declines in absenteeism and presenteeism. These findings can be a potential guide in evaluation of outcomes in oncology. Future research should explore whether these US based results can be generalized to an international oncology population.