November is here and this month is World Diabetes Day on the 14th of November.

The theme this year is Diabetes and well-being, focusing on the impact of diabetes in the workplace. This is a large diabetes awareness campaign reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in over 160 countries. The date itself is the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.

People with diabetes, can face daily challenges whilst trying to work, this can include stigma, discrimination and exclusion. This has a negative impact on their well-being.

Did you know that:

• 589 Million people are living with Diabetes worldwide.
• Globally 7 in 10 people (412 Million) are of working age.
• 3 in 4 people have experienced anxiety, depression or another mental health condition.
• 4 in 5 people experienced diabetes burnout.
• 4 in 10 people feel managing diabetes at work has a negative impact on their well-being mentally.

We can all face challenges at work, but even more so if you have a health condition.

People with diabetes have experienced:

• harassment and bullying
• missing out on development and training opportunities
• denied breaks, unable to have snacks, toilet breaks and rest
• discomfort in managing diabetes at work.
• denied time off to attend appointments
• lack of workplace policy to support people with diabetes.

There are range of options that can be facilitated to help support someone living with diabetes in the workplace, including:

An area for the person to use that is private and an area for storage of equipment and supplies

I personally hope that we have progressed with understanding the needs for people working with diabetes. The need to provide all workers with a room for a break from their working environment. We have to remember that not all people work at desks. For a person with diabetes a place to store their belongings, their equipment and medication safely. To be able to test their blood levels and administer their insulin in a clean environment, the days of injecting insulin in the toilets at work, should be long gone.

Breaks: Access and time to have food, drinks, toilet breaks and rest

It is important that everyone has a break, but how many times have we all missed or cut our breaks due to work pressures? Imagine having to try to juggle a busy workload but needing to have a break to test your blood sugars, remedy your hypoglycaemia event, ensuring you have taken your medication correctly, and having your meal at a sensible time to prevent a low blood glucose. Ensuring adequate fluid intake, medications are taken on time, with sensible mealtimes will contribute to better blood glucose control.

Trained first aider who is able to treat diabetes related emergencies.

It is so important to feel safe at work. I have encouraged people with diabetes to inform their work colleagues that they are living with diabetes, and to discuss their symptoms of hypoglycaemia and treatment.

Understanding of diabetes and to have a workplace that is free from fear of diabetes stigma

We have recently over the last 2 years had the campaign to tackle diabetes stigma. Having work colleagues that understand your condition, potential difficulties at work, and supporting you with your diabetes management and workload is so important. Having a hard day at work is even harder if you are also trying to organise yourself and manage your blood sugars.

Flexible working arrangements

If you are living with diabetes, a reasonable adjustment of your work pattern may be needed. This will help with better blood glucose control and reduce risks of hypoglycaemia. How many times have we seen people missing their meals, missing their medications or deliberately allowing their blood glucose level to be high at work to prevent the risk of a low blood level.

Mental health support to employees

Self-management of diabetes is demanding and complex, monitoring blood glucose, taking medications on time, eating healthy, and activity, this can cause mental health burn out.

Diabetes distress is the emotional distress resulting from living with diabetes and the relentless daily self-management. Fear of hypoglycaemia, anxiety for developing other long term health complications from hyperglycaemia, psychological barriers for insulin use or diabetes medication. Depression or anxiety disorder can occur.

Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder Disordered eating, food restrictions, compulsive and excessive eating, weight management practices which are frequent or severe.

Symptoms may be noticed by work colleagues or spoken about to work colleagues. Encouragement to talk to a trained person is important

Options of healthy food and snacks

A sensible diet is important for protecting health and blood sugar control. Providing healthy food options in the workplace, is important. Having limited options can be difficult if you are a person with diabetes.

Encourage physical activity

Being physically active is good for people, for people with diabetes it has many benefits.

It helps the body use insulin better, by reducing insulin resistance. Improving HBA1C. Improves blood pressure and cholesterol. Reduces weight. Helps to keep joints flexible. It also helps to release endorphins, which reduces stress levels.

Some employers may encourage sporting activities, sporting teams or exercise campaigns at work.

Accessing information about diabetes

There are large amounts of resources available to inform people about diabetes either online, or in literature.

Organising diabetes screenings

There are many options employers can facilitate to make work a safer, kinder place for people with diabetes. And there’s so much we can do too—by wearing blue, raising awareness, and simply being more understanding.

This World Diabetes Day, let’s commit to making workplaces more inclusive and supportive. Because no one should have to choose between their health and their job.