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Diabetes at Work

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AndyV

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi All, need some advice on diabetes in the work place. My employer has asked for my permission to contact my GP regarding my type 1 diabetes. This is as a result of a higher than average sickness rate (12 days this year). Should I allow this or is it non of their business? Any help much appreciated! Thanks, AndyV :confused:
 
AndyV said:
Hi All, need some advice on diabetes in the work place. My employer has asked for my permission to contact my GP regarding my type 1 diabetes. This is as a result of a higher than average sickness rate (12 days this year). Should I allow this or is it non of their business? Any help much appreciated! Thanks, AndyV :confused:
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No educated answers here, but my opinion would be NO, they dont need to know the details of your condition, unless your job requires certain levels of safety to carry out, but it seems they may just be looking to confirm your absence............your GP can advise you on what information would be handed over, and that's if it allowed in the first place.....
 
I gave consent to my employer to talk to my GP and I also saw occupational health because I had more sick leave than I should have. It has given me a little more leeway with things diabetes related.

I think (but am not 100%) we fall under the DDA so get a little more leeway anyway.

Every employer is different, so it may also help if you could talk to someone in HR or a welfare officer if you have one, if not your union rep may be able to help.
 
I would say your employer has the right to contact your GP if you're taking more days than is felt to be reasonable.

Quite what your GP will tell them is something you'll need to ask your GP. If they're happy you're doing all you can to conrol your diabetes, then your employer will be told that.

Were the sick days due to your diabetes or have you had a bad year for illness generally ?

I have been in a similar situation when I had a couple of colds, one of which I caught of a manager who 'soldiered on' and infected everyone he came across 🙄

Rob
 
Sticky one this, if your absence is due to your diabetes and this is the reason you give on those 12 days then I believe your employer has every right to write to your gp. They can't request to see your medical records but they can ask your doctors opinion on your general health and how this might effect your ability to work in your job.
 
I've had occupational health contact my doctors several times due to eye problems etc. In reality I don't think you really have a lot of choice as obviously you don't want to be disciplined for too much sick time. We are covered by DDA so the reply from your GP may help your employer to put into In place reasonable adjustments. Best to check with your GP what they will write.
 
I work in hr, allow them to write to your gp, your gp will only supply relevant info. Also give your hr persons any leaflets / info re your diabetes and control. Most people don't understand the condition. Also if you feel like it and it will be confidential explain how you are and control your diabetes. It will make them a little bit more understanding. Also your employers have a duty of care and if something should happen to you while in the work place and they have not made reasonable adjustments etc, they will be in trouble.

Hope I've not babbled to much
 
Yes diabetes do come under the DDA

Your employer/occupation health can only ask you for your permission to contact your GP you are under no legal obligation to say yes..

Again if your Job requires a defined standard of medical health, your employer can send you to Doctor of their choice for the Medical to verify that you reach the required standard.. And you are required to attend said chosen Doctor

Again your employer or the medical doctor carrying out a medical on your employers behalf can only ask for your permission to contact your GP again there's no legal obligation for you to give permission

If you do give permission you can do have some say concerning what information is given by your GP, So if it's concerning your diabetes then you can ask your GP only to provide this information relevant... In most cases your employer would normally only specific information, such as diabetic control rather than ask for a over-view of your medical health..

However saying all that...

If you refuse it is likely you won't be doing yourself any favours..

As it will likely to be seen as.. What is there to hide!


If you are worried to who might see the information, then you can ask your employer which member/s of HR etc will deal or have access to the information as it is confidential information, and your employer has a responsibility under the Data protection act to keep it confidential in your/their records.
 
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LOL - beware of the OH doctor who told me - in 2008 I believe - that if he was looking after my diabetes, he would assure me that an A1c up to about 13.0 is absolutely nothing to worry about and in his opinion, all the information that is put about regarding needing A1cs to be lower than that, is absolute rubbish. You mark my words, he said, they'll prove this soon!

He was based in Birmingham at the time and working for an OH specialist company that my employer used ......

I did think maybe I ought to write to the GMC and try and get him struck off, but like everything else at the time, it was all too much for me. And of course it's only my and my husbands word against his.
 
trophywench said:
LOL - beware of the OH doctor who told me - in 2008 I believe - that if he was looking after my diabetes, he would assure me that an A1c up to about 13.0 is absolutely nothing to worry about and in his opinion, all the information that is put about regarding needing A1cs to be lower than that, is absolute rubbish. You mark my words, he said, they'll prove this soon!

He was based in Birmingham at the time and working for an OH specialist company that my employer used ......

I did think maybe I ought to write to the GMC and try and get him struck off, but like everything else at the time, it was all too much for me. And of course it's only my and my husbands word against his.
Click to expand...

Oh my! My HbA1c was 11.8% when I was diagnosed and I was nearly dead! 😱
 
trophywench said:
LOL - beware of the OH doctor who told me - in 2008 I believe - that if he was looking after my diabetes, he would assure me that an A1c up to about 13.0 is absolutely nothing to worry about and in his opinion, all the information that is put about regarding needing A1cs to be lower than that, is absolute rubbish. You mark my words, he said, they'll prove this soon!

He was based in Birmingham at the time and working for an OH specialist company that my employer used ......

I did think maybe I ought to write to the GMC and try and get him struck off, but like everything else at the time, it was all too much for me. And of course it's only my and my husbands word against his.
Click to expand...

It does show that not all doctors are created equal 😱

It's fortunate that, with our condition, we HAVE to know a certain amount of medical knowledge. There would no doubt be more problems if we all did what the doctors suggested. Frightening.

Rob
 
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