| Discrimination at work + boy who saved pennies to get diabetic alert dog |
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People with diabetes can experience discrimination. It’s a sad fact. And it can particularly affect people at work.
This week, Diabetes Forum user Adeydee95 said: “I've been diabetic for nine years. Recently, my manager has been commenting on my condition, such as calling me ‘diabetic Amy’, and telling me what I should and shouldn't be eating. He also makes me stand for a 9-hour shift even though I have an ulcer on my leg and should be sitting down. What can I do to stop this happening?”
This isn’t right. And the good news is that the law is on your side. The Equality Act of 2010 states that your employer should be expected to make reasonable adjustments to prevent discrimination taking place, and should be accommodating to make you feel as comfortable as possible.
If you feel as if you are being discriminated against because of your diabetes, you should tell a senior member of staff or your human resources (HR) representative.
Previously we’ve reported on the effects of workplace stress and unemployment on the risks of developing type 2 diabetes. The world is starting to wake up to the fact that work-based anxiety needs to be addressed.
Within the last week, a new study has shown job insecurity can also raise this risk. Author of the study, Dr Jane Ferry said: "In an ideal world, the sort of thing I’d like to see come out of this study is a reduction in job insecurity and an increase in secure job contracts and reasonable wages."
Certainly, work needn’t be a struggle by default and it’s worth remembering that we now have a Prime Minister who is leading the country as a person with diabetes, showing that the condition knows no bounds.
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