Lone Working issue

[Joemmelle]

Hi all, I'm a new member, Type 1 and on insulin pump and i'd like to pick your brains. I'm a support worker and I've been lone working the odd shift every week since March, but now the lone working has increased and I've asked for more support, they've suddenly decided I need to be referred to OT to assess my fitness. However, they seem fine with me working 4 lone shifts and 3 sleep in nights by myself next week for convenience sake, is this safe and legal?

 

[ColinUK]

Hi all, I'm a new member, Type 1 and on insulin pump and i'd like to pick your brains. I'm a support worker and I've been lone working the odd shift every week since March, but now the lone working has increased and I've asked for more support, they've suddenly decided I need to be referred to OT to assess my fitness. However, they seem fine with me working 4 lone shifts and 3 sleep in nights by myself next week for convenience sake, is this safe and legal?

Call the DUK help line. They’ll be able to advise you on both best practice and the law.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Joemmelle

I agree with @ColinUK a call to to Diabetes UK helpline sounds like it might be really helpful.

There is also some information about your rights and responsibilities at work here:

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

Diabetes is covered under the Equality Act, which means that employers need to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to enable people with diabetes to work safely.

What are your concerns about lone working?

 

[helli]

What are your concerns about lone working?

I think this is the important question to be able to answer and articulate clearly when talking to the OT.
I spend a lot of my life alone both working and socialising and do not consider my diabetes a hindrance to this but that does not mean everyone with Type 1 should feel comfortable in the same environment.
Hypos are something that those without diabetes do not have to consider. We have the tools to minimise them (Libre) and treat them but that does reduce anxiety about them.

 

[Joemmelle]

Welcome to the forum @Joemmelle

I agree with @ColinUK a call to to Diabetes UK helpline sounds like it might be really helpful.

There is also some information about your rights and responsibilities at work here:

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

Diabetes is covered under the Equality Act, which means that employers need to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to enable people with diabetes to work safely.

What are your concerns about lone working?

I support 3 individuals who do not have mental capacity, if anything were to happen they would not be able to call for help. Nobody checks up on us, nobody cares that we are alone, we are just left to get on with it and as I'm also covered under the Equality Act (which my manager didn't seem to realIze until 2 days ago) you'd think support would be obvious to a disablities charity, but apparently not.

 

[Lucyr]

I support 3 individuals who do not have mental capacity, if anything were to happen they would not be able to call for help. Nobody checks up on us, nobody cares that we are alone, we are just left to get on with it and as I'm also covered under the Equality Act (which my manager didn't seem to realIze until 2 days ago) you'd think support would be obvious to a disablities charity, but apparently not.

What are you worried might happen? What can you do to reduce the risk? More breaks to check bg?

I live alone, and work alone, doesn’t concern me whatsoever.

 

[rebrascora]

I too wonder what your specific concerns are?
Do you have a history of hypos which incapacitate you and you need assistance with?
Or perhaps you have a particularly strong fear of hypos?
You mention that you are on a pump. Is this a closed loop system. If not then perhaps discuss with your clinic about upgrading to closed loop as this should reduce the risk of hypos. I know everyone is different but I find if I drop low it is just a question of eating a couple of JBs and it is sorted in no time. Rarely I get one that needs 10 mins sit down but surely this is not much different to needing to go to the loo whilst you are looking after the people you care for. This may be why we are having difficulty relating to your concerns as to how your particular diabetes impacts this work situation.
I guess what we mean is, what do you fear will happen to you that couldn't potentially happen to someone who is non-diabetic. Anyone could have a heart attack or a stroke or something even without being diabetic, so the situation could arise with anyone leaving, those vulnerable people unattended. How do you believe your diabetes puts you more at risk and how can you mitigate that risk?

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi all, I'm a new member, Type 1 and on insulin pump and i'd like to pick your brains. I'm a support worker and I've been lone working the odd shift every week since March, but now the lone working has increased and I've asked for more support, they've suddenly decided I need to be referred to OT to assess my fitness. However, they seem fine with me working 4 lone shifts and 3 sleep in nights by myself next week for convenience sake, is this safe and legal?

Yes it is legal.
How do you think people living on their own manage? 🙂