• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Hello

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
R

RadTT

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi to all, I have joined to find some answers if possible, I’m 61 currently working in the education sector and live on site as part of my job as site supervisor and had type 1 for around 26yrs now and I have the libre2 also
I’m taking humilog and statin to control and look forward to chatting on here
 
Hi and welcome.

Great to hear you have Libre. I hope it is providing you with some useful info.
I see that you are using Humalog as your bolus insulin..... presumably you also have a basal insulin although we do have at least one member of the forum who manages with just a fast acting insulin, so perhaps not....

Do you have any particular difficulty with your diabetes management that brings you to the forum or just wanting to compare notes with others who face the same challenges?
 
Hi Barbara,
thanks for your reply, sorry I am on fast acting and slow acting insulin, my interest to to find out where I stand at work really. I have had a few conversations with my line manager lately when I was questioned about my footwear at work, I am wearing the Draco shoes as I have had all five toes removed over the last two years. I have just had the last two removed over a month ago, so wanted to ask where I stand on reasonable adjustments which they are reluctant to do and also asking when I intend to retire, as my job is mostly walking based I have had no problems doing my job and still dont but get the impression management don’t see it that way
 
I can't really help on the legalities of what you should be entitled to but know how you feel about being asked when you intend to retire. I was still working at 65 but a new manager kept hinting about retirement and would say 'there's no point you doing the training on a new piece of equipment' and had responsibilities taken away from me, I was basically bullied into taking retirement.
I think the Diabetes UK Help line may be able to answer you query if no one else comes back.
 
Oh dear! Really sorry to hear about your amputations and that you feel under pressure from management at work. I think you probably need to ring the Diabetes UK helpline on the number at the top right hand side of the screen (open office hours), to get more advice/support on your legal position and if you are in a union, then speak to them about it.

How is your diabetes management? Obviously improving that should help reduce the risk of further amputations and we should be able to help you with that here on the forum. What sort of "time in range" are you achieving with Libre? Which long acting insulin do you have and how do you find that? Libre has made a big difference to my confidence in adjusting my basal doses to match what my body needs and therefore managing my diabetes better.
 
I am on the Abasaglar long lasting type, my time in range is up and down but is getting better, as like you, giving me confidence to alter units over the day, my hbA1c was 82 in March my average reading overall averages around 12-13 but has started coming down to 10-11 average and now finished my antibiotics should see a better control rate. I do now know that I have had the same infection for around 10months which hasn’t helped fluid build up and not helping my foot ulcers, so I feel so much better overall, breathing, heart rate, temp control, acid feeling and loss of appetite
 
RadTT said:
my interest to to find out where I stand at work really. I have had a few conversations with my line manager lately when I was questioned about my footwear at work, I am wearing the Draco shoes as I have had all five toes removed over the last two years. I have just had the last two removed over a month ago, so wanted to ask where I stand on reasonable adjustments which they are reluctant to do and also asking when I intend to retire,
Click to expand...
I would suspect your line manager is trying to bully you out of your job. This is illegal and you need to talk to your union if you belong to one.
As to not making reasonable adjustments for your disability regarding your footwear then again I would suspect highly illegal.

PS welcome to the forum.
 
Thanks leadinglights and pumper_sue for your replies and Barbara I have called the number and someone is going to call back, I’m not in a union so I’m trying to enlighten myself as to where I stand as the job comes with my accommodation on site so no job no home so it’s knowing what I have covered as like tenant notice period, if I feel it’s unfair where do I stand, that stuff really
 
Unfortunately, your infection will have been fed by your high BG levels and will also have increased your BG levels (vicious circle), but yes, the antibiotics don't help with that either.
Good to hear that your levels are coming down a bit now. If you read some of the posts on the forum I am sure you will pick up some tips for better BG control, to help reduce things further.

I hope you are able to get some support from the helpline to tackle the issues at work and it can be resolved amicably or at least in your favour, but looking after your health and managing your diabetes as well as possible should also be a priority. I wonder if perhaps you haven't been given enough education and support with that. Are you under a diabetes clinic/consultant or just managed through your GP practice?
 
RadTT said:
Thanks leadinglights and pumper_sue for your replies and Barbara I have called the number and someone is going to call back, I’m not in a union so I’m trying to enlighten myself as to where I stand as the job comes with my accommodation on site so no job no home so it’s knowing what I have covered as like tenant notice period, if I feel it’s unfair where do I stand, that stuff really
Click to expand...
Basically, if you are pushed out of your job or forced to resign then it's constructive dismissal I believe, so you would be entitled to claim compensation and it can be mega bucks in some cases.
 
I think I was doing the 6 month catch up with a consultant for around 20 odd years, simply because every diabetic specialist I got introduced to then left their job, so it’s only been the last three years or so that I am doing follow up and keeping in touch that way and it’s working.
regarding work it’s just I want to know where I am and what to say so I don’t regret not asking, I think if I am aware of what rights I have and what to expect will help
 
Hi Guys,
Wanted to update you all, I have emailed equalities and told they don’t have to make reasonable adjustments for me because of my job sector and job role.
They suggested there were four gates and a list within each to chase but they think they would refuse to comply, anyway I was thought to be returning to work this week on phased return, notified my manager and was told not to return until 100% fit for duties so was told to contact my GP and get signed off as unfit for work.
I thought I could return and build myself up after a few weeks but NO was the answer, so it’s a bit of a blessing as I’ve has another infection and also need another op Thursday next week for a bit more bone removal, so I might need more time off, I explained my situation to the consultant and he is happy to write to my employers, so we shall see, thought I would update you guys after all the good advice, thanks again
 
Thanks for the update @RadTT

Glad you have a supportive consultant onside.

Sorry to hear your employers are refusing to comply, and rather surprised at the ‘no reasonable adjustments’ myself. Especially as you are allowed to drive thumping great lorries, and fly commercial airliners with type 1 these days!?
 
Just to say that in order to claim constructive dismissal, you have to resign - and therefore that would not be a good move!

It is the 'reasonable adjustment' angle (disability discrimination) you need to pursue. I am thinking that, perhaps, your email to 'equalities' was to the designated equalities officer in the establishment in which you work? In which case, they wont give you independent advice. 'Reasonable adjustments' don't mean that the employer has to make every adjustment (eg some might be deemed too expensive & therefore unreasonable) but if wearing a particular shoe/boot would help, it is hard to imagine that wouldn't come under 'reasonable adjustments'. But taking a case to tribunal is long-winded, complex and expensive.

You really need employment law advice, especially as your home is dependent upon being employed at the establishment. It might be worth telephoning a union, or two, to see if they would help - some do. ACAS is another source of support; check out their web site.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top