Hypos at work

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jayearn

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Type 1
Hi, so I've very recently been diagnosed with type 1. Still in honeymoon stage but managing things well.

Anyway, I wanted to know if there was any info I should know regarding diabetes at work? Especially hypos? As things are very new I don't know what rights I have with my employer as it stands. I think they want me to take anytime im sat down recovering from hypo as an unpaid break and I want to know if they can actually do this.

I know its an employers obligation to put safeguards in place, which they haven't (I never thought they would). There are times where I'm on my own entirely so if I'm sat down with low bloods no one can get served.

I've not signed any official contract or anything and I've been here over a year.

Any info would be greatly appreciated
 
What kind of work do you do? I had a hypo at work in a meeting today. I just ate some sugar and carried on in the meeting, though perhaps a little quieter until I felt better.
 
Lucyr said:
What kind of work do you do? I had a hypo at work in a meeting today. I just ate some sugar and carried on in the meeting until I felt better.
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I work in a cafe so I'm always up on my feet doing something.
 
jayearn said:
I work in a cafe so I'm always up on my feet doing something.
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Do you have a libre sensor? Can you set the alarm higher so you don’t have hypos at work as you prevent them with early treatment?
 
Lucyr said:
Do you have a libre sensor? Can you set the alarm higher so you don’t have hypos at work as you prevent them with early treatment?
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I don't have any prescribed yet, I bought a libre 2 and the alarm is very hit and miss. Even tonight after we closed I went low, that's with the libre and the alarms.

I'm more wanting to know the legality of the situation. Hypos are not avoidable 100% of the time so on the rare occasion I do I'm just curious if I will have to take as an unpaid break
 
I don’t expect extra breaks would need to be paid, as I know things like time off for appointments doesn’t need to be paid, but I’m not certain so you might want to get some advice from a specialist.

If the hypos are frequent or regularly taking a long time to fix, then bear in mind that any reasonable adjustments you request do have to be reasonable for the employer too. E.g. if you’re asking for an extra member of staff to work with you so you have cover if you need a break, or to close the cafe for a long time period whilst you take a break when you’re on your own, then that might not be considered reasonable for the employer. Agreeing shifts where you’re less likely to be low, or to have your usual unpaid break at a set time so you can avoid hypos might be more reasonable.
 
If you ring the Diabetes UK Helpline No. at the top right hand side of this page I am sure they will be able to advise you on your legal situation. The helpline is open during normal office hours I believe.
 
jayearn said:
I don't have any prescribed yet, I bought a libre 2 and the alarm is very hit and miss. Even tonight after we closed I went low, that's with the libre and the alarms.

I'm more wanting to know the legality of the situation. Hypos are not avoidable 100% of the time so on the rare occasion I do I'm just curious if I will have to take as an unpaid break
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@jayearn Type 1 is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act. That means that your employer has to make “reasonable adjustments”. Those might include allowing you time to test or time to sit down and recover from a hypo when needed. The fact they’re saying that if you do that it counts as an unpaid break sounds dodgy to me because it’s discriminating against you because of your condition.

I’d clearly explain to them about hypos, preferably in writing, detailing what you occasionally need and why. I’d also be clear that you’re covered by the DDA. Usually most of these situations are due to ignorance not malice.
 
I think the DDA has been absorbed into the Equality Act, but yes as I understand it people with diabetes are protected against discrimination.

The main Diabetes UK website has a section on diabetes and employment, including your rights at work which may be helpful

Work and diabetes

This information is about how to manage diabetes at work and to support you in knowing your rights at work. Jump to:
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk
 
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