A study in the UK for Dexcom – the glucose monitoring system manufacturer – found employees with diabetes often feel discriminated against at work with almost a third believing the condition has damaged their career.
This is despite the UK having some of the most advanced employment disability legislation in the world.
The survey of more than 800 type 1 and insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes patients found that a quarter had been questioned about the sick days they had taken from work, while 12% claimed they had been refused time off.
One in four said they had to take more than three days off work in the last year to manage their condition. Hospital appointments caused 61% to miss work, 47% had taken time off because of exhaustion and 28% avoided work because of diabetic hypoglycaemia.
Half claimed they worried about taking time off to manage the condition.
Half of the survey respondents believed employment laws designed to protect diabetic workers from discrimination were not properly enforced.
The Equality Act states employers should make reasonable adjustments to stop diabetics being disadvantaged at work in comparison with non-diabetic colleagues, which could include adjusting work times, changing their duties and allowing them to take time off if needed.
What’s the position in your country? Is this an issue you could raise in your Parliament?