Work Problems

[SalisburySarah]

I work in a shop and have been there for about four months. Everyone knows I'm diabetic but I don't think they have any idea what that actually involves - for example, they think a hypo just means I'm hungry! Can anyone recommend something I could leave in the staff room for people to read that's not too long and complicated? Also, when I test my blood sugars at work, I do it discreetly under the counter when there's nobody around. A couple of times my immediate boss has mentioned me going to the staff room to do it but yesterday she shrieked that I mustn't do it on the shop floor any more because it was unhygienic and they wouldn't want a customer seeing me! My blood sugars are very unpredictable and I test a lot. To go to the staff room I would have to find someone to cover the part of the shop I was working in, go off to the staff room, do my test and then come back to my post - so five minutes instead of 20 seconds and I've got to inconvenience a colleague in the process. I think it's an unreasonable request but I don't want to single myself out as 'different'. It's a family owned business so should I speak to one of the two owners? I'd be grateful for your thoughts. Thanks.

 

[Northerner]

Hi Sarah, welcome to the forum 🙂 I would think that, if you suspected a hypo, then the last thing you need to be doing is trying to find someone to cover and then taking yourself off somewhere before you can test and treat. I'd consider that unreasonable, and potentially placing you at risk. Also, I'm sure the owners wouldn't want you keeling over, shaking and sweating and talking gibberish in front of the customers! 😱

This information booklet might fit the bill for explaining Type 1 to staff members:

https://jdrf.org.uk/living-with-typ...lets/pocket-guide-understanding-type-1-adult/

 

[Copepod]

Welcome to the forum SalisburySarah. Is Salisbury your location?
In answer to your question, I would definitely speak again with the supervisor who told you not to test at sales desk, and explain what you have said here. If they still insist you find cover, go to staff room and waste more time, the I would speak with one of the two family members who own the shop. If any other staff are concerned about getting blood on products (what does shop sell?) then be prepared with solutions such as tissues and / or handwipes.