Diabetes is not a visible disability, and so many employers do not understand the effects and consequence of this disease. You are probably going to have to help educate your employer to create a workplace that meets your needs.
You have two ADAs with you on this point. Not the American District Attorney (we hope…though in worse case scenarios it might get there), but the American Diabetes Association, and the American Disabilities Act. Both of these work to champion the rights of people with diabetes. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is another agency that advocates for equal rights for workers with diabetes.
Diabetes is legally seen as a disability, because it is a disease that affects a “major life activity.” Recent court rulings have established that eating is a major life activity, and so diabetics are protected by the disabilities act in the United States.
As a diabetic, you have certain rights. The right to eat food (either on the job, or to have a reasonable number of breaks to do so) has been recently ruled as crucial to all persons with diabetes. People with diabetes also have the right to monitor their blood glucose, and administer insulin or medication accordingly. If you work in a public environment, you might ask (or your work might ask) to have a relatively private space in which to give yourself injections. People with diabetes also need freely available bathroom breaks. As a diabetic, you might also request to work a constant shift, rather than a swing shift, if your doctor feels that your glucose will not be able to tolerate the changing schedule.
Medical information is confidential, and so you do not need to share your medical past with your employer. You can share what you want, and you should also share what will be needed. For instance, make your employer aware
The first step is to educate your employer. Explain what the effects of diabetes are and how diabetes can be managed. Explain what reasonable accommodations you might need.
Once you have a job, if you feel that you are experience discrimination, it is your job to fight to create a better work environment for people with diabetes. This might mean going higher up the management chain. As a last resort, this might even mean a lawsuit. There are lawyers who specialize in diabetes claims. You might win lost wages or damages from the suit, and you will hopefully make the work environment better for any diabetics who come later.
A person who manages their diabetes will not hold back any team. If anything, the Canadian Diabetes Association suggests that a person with well-managed diabetes will be a benefit to their workplace, because they have learned organizational skills, self-discipline, and they lead a generally healthier lifestyle which results in fewer sick days.
Diabetics can be successful in all walks of life: there are people with diabetes who are firefighters, law enforcement officers, transport truck drivers, and even hockey players. If you are applying for a position that you are qualified for, your diabetes should not stand in the way.
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Vivian Brennan is an expert on diabetes, and is currently an editor at www.theguideto-diabetes.com/diabetes_associations/”> The Guide to Diabetes. She believes in educating people about diabetes to help manage diabetes, prevent complications, and improve lifestyles.
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