This year’s Diabetes Week is highlighting how important it is to get full diabetes health screenings, and we’re calling on all political parties to help ensure that people with diabetes get the support they need to get screened and stay healthy.
Effective diabetes management requires regular medical visits for diabetes checkups.
For people with all types of diabetes, this includes diabetic eye exams, foot exams, and HbA1c testing. These regular checkups are essential to identify risk early and inform what care and treatment may be needed to prevent complications.
Support from your employer
But our Inequalities Commission found that for too many people, work may be a barrier to getting the right diabetes support and living well with diabetes.
With medical appointments and educational courses often only available during working hours, many people with diabetes struggle to take the time off they need – this is of particular concern now that more people under the age of 40 are developing type 2 diabetes.
We want people with diabetes to work in a stigma-free workplace and have easy access to care and support. For Diabetes Week 2024, we want you to know what your rights are as a person with diabetes. Your rights include:
- Protection from discrimination because of diabetes – People with diabetes are covered by the Equality Act (2010) in England, Scotland and Wales and the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) in Northern Ireland.
- The right to request reasonable adjustments, such as time off to attend appointments, flexible working hours, and more frequent breaks to eat, check blood sugar levels or take insulin.
Reasonable adjustments must be confirmed in writing. You can ask for reasonable adjustments at any time, including during the recruitment process. Employers must follow your views when deciding what adjustments are needed. Employers should not guess and should seek advice from services such as occupational health if necessary.
Expectations for the next administration
The July 4, 2024 election will be a golden opportunity for the next administration to give people with diabetes the support they need both at and outside of work.
Bold action is needed to address the root causes of ill health across society – ensuring people with diabetes have regular diabetes testing and the support they need to stay healthy.
In the meantime, we will respond to the DWP consultation on PIP and health certificates to ensure the experiences of people with diabetes are taken into account.
We call on all stakeholders to commit to the following:
- Give all workers the right to paid time off to attend medical appointments, eliminating the misfortune of having to rely on an understanding manager, particularly for people at risk of but undiagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and parents and carers of children and young people with diabetes. Read our Employment Policy Statement to find out what we are asking the Government and employers to support people with diabetes in the workplace.
- Ensuring that people have enough wages and social benefits to live healthy lives and stay healthy is why we support the Essentials Guarantee.
If you are experiencing issues in the workplace or have questions about discrimination or reasonable accommodation, please contact our helpline staff who will be happy to assist you.
