Reasonable adjustments

[Jennywren]

Hi all after a bit of advice , I left my previous job in a school as they were making it very difficult for me to manage my diabetes around the school day , then in October 2013 I went to work in a department (4 hour shifts ) store where I explained about my diabetes and said because of my brittle diabetes and hypo unawareness I would have to take my self off for 5 minutes ( possibly 10 if I needed to eat ) and was told this was not a problem and I presumed came under reasonable adjustments with the equal opportunity policy Now 15 months later I have a new boss ! Who pulled me into the office and said that I must start my shift 10 minutes early without signing in , to cover this 10 minutes I may need to take . Is this fair ? I've never take advantage of this time I've been allowed and only am 10 minutes at the very most .Just like to see what other people think .Thanks

 

[HOBIE]

Try being self employed ! When you are ill no pay 😉

 

[Jennywren]

Thanks hobie , meant to mention that , where everything has been going well I haven't had. Any time off sick

 

[novorapidboi26]

I think it is unfair as you wont always need to take 10 minutes, or do you.....?

having hypo unawareness may mean testing at regular intervals but it doesn't mean you will need to treat a hypo all the time....

it is unfair and it should be discussed further....

🙂

 

[Jennywren]

Nope novorapidboi26 , very rarely take 10 mins only if need to eat and feel better , I'm on a pump and tend to run my pump on a temp basal rate at work to avoid this happening

 

[novorapidboi26]

so you don't actually know when you will need to take this extra time, so why should you come in early........makes no sense.must just be the new gaffer trying to make his/her mark....

 

[HOBIE]

You can do some great things with pumps. New boss seems a pain. Hope you sort 🙂

 

[Redkite]

It does sound a bit unfair, after all surely other employees spend 5 or 10 minutes nipping to the toilets or getting a coffee during their shift? It's not as though you're going outside for a smoke! Perhaps have another word with him and say you feel he's going against normal practice by not making a reasonable adjustment for your "disability".

 

[HOBIE]

Theres a point just tell him your having a fag (test) 😡

 

[Jennywren]

New boss is a lady old boss was a man , good point there are staff that pop out for fags

 

[Kim23]

Ah that's not fair at all. Discrimination really so I'd discuss with new boss. Sounds like they don't know anything about diabetes so may need a gentle help. Hope gets sorted soon for you though 🙂

 

[lizabetic]

[ I don't post but I still stalk the boards 😉 ]

I have too recently started work in a department store, I haven't had a problem with testing and have practically near hypo-d every shift. I have my 'kit' (makeup bag) on the shop floor with me, under a desk or in a drawer - any way you can keep yours similarly? If needs be i'll munch some glucose tabs, sometimes take myself off 'to the loo' for 5 mins grab a snack/drink that kind of thing. I'm not sure if you're needing to take the 5 minutes because you're hypo or just to test? If the latter then I would say just do so on the shop floor!

 

[bev]

Hi Jennywren,

Ask your diabetes team to give you a letter stating that you might need to eat at certain times (not prescribed times as it can happen out of the blue) and that if you are not allowed these times it could lead to you becoming unwell very quickly. If your employer refuses to allow you this time ask them to sign something saying they will take full responsibility if you should suffer a severe low. You are not eating because you *want* to - its not a choice - its a medical necessity - unlike those who may pop out for a fag!🙂It is more than reasonable to allow you this time - its not every day after all. Quote the Equalities Act at them if they refuse to listen.🙂Bev

 

[Jennywren]

Thanks everyone for suggestions
Lizabetic - I did suggest taking kit onto shop floor , but manager wasn't happy about the health and safety aspect of having a needle on the shop floor and said she didn't want to subject me to doing that in front of people ( I know silly isn't it )
Bev I found a very handy information leaflet connected to the equality act 2010 it lists everything you need to know about diabetes ( including what can happen with hypo unawareness ) and how reasonable adjustments should be made ! Lets just say her attitude was a bit different yesterday ! I will still go in early unpaid so if anything comes back at me I can say I was in the right

 

[saraking03830]

I think the attitude of your boss is horrendous...it's tough enough coping with diabetes anyway, let alone with awkward people like that in your life...

Bit of a long shot due to the attitude your boss seems to have but I believe there is an education course designed for family, friends or colleagues who wish to learn more about diabetes....maybe worth suggesting as it really sounds like your boss doesn't understand??