Managing diabetes in the workplace is essential for both employees and employers. With the right support, employees with diabetes can maintain their health while being productive at work. By creating a diabetes-friendly environment, employers help employees manage their condition effectively, making a positive impact on wellbeing and performance. With the guidance and resources available today, workplaces are in a strong position to support employees with diabetes, fostering a healthier, more inclusive work culture.

Understanding diabetes and its impact on work

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that affects the way the body regulates sugar (glucose). When left unmanaged, high blood glucose levels can lead to complications that affect the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves, leading to fatigue and other symptoms that can impact daily functioning, including work performance. Many people with type 2 diabetes initially experience no symptoms, making regular screening and early detection essential.

Creating a supportive workplace

By fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable managing their diabetes, employers can help employees thrive and feel valued. Here are a few ways to create a supportive workplace:

Flexible work schedule: Offer flexibility in work hours to allow for medical appointments, meal planning, and managing blood sugar levels. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for employees who may need time for routine blood sugar checks or to adjust meals and insulin as needed.
Accessible breaks: Designate spaces where employees can check blood glucose levels privately and encourage scheduled breaks for employees who need to eat at regular intervals to manage their condition.
Awareness and training: Providing training for managers and colleagues on diabetes awareness can foster understanding and inclusivity. This can include general information on the condition, symptoms to watch out for, and how to offer support in a respectful, non-intrusive way.
Wellness programmes: Offer programmes that support healthy lifestyles, such as on-site nutrition counselling or discounted gym memberships. These programmes encourage all employees to maintain a balanced lifestyle, which is beneficial for managing and preventing type 2 diabetes.

Tips for employees managing diabetes at work

For individuals managing type 2 diabetes, adopting a proactive approach at work can help mitigate potential disruptions and promote a healthy work-life balance.

Plan meals and snacks: Ensure that meals and snacks are balanced and scheduled regularly to maintain stable blood glucose level. Packing healthy snacks and water can help in case of meetings or busy days where taking breaks may be challenging.
Keep essentials nearby: Having diabetes essentials, such as blood glucose monitors and any necessary medication, within reach at work can make it easier to manage diabetes without interrupting the day.

Communicate needs: Consider discussing any specific needs with a trusted manager or HR representative, especially if flexibility around breaks or schedules may help in better managing the condition.

Frequently asked questions on type 2 diabetes

Here’s a quick FAQ section from Healix’s virtual GP partner, Teladoc Health UK, to help answer common questions about type 2 diabetes:

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that affects the way your body deals with sugar (glucose); the body becomes resistant to its own insulin (the hormone which helps us keep blood glucose steady) and, eventually, fails to produce enough of it. As the blood sugar levels rise, many organs can be damaged including heart, kidney, eyes and nerves.

Type 2 diabetes usually develops initially without symptoms, even while the body is sustaining damage, making it particularly suitable for screening. Over time, symptoms can develop, such as fatigue, excessive thirst and frequent urination.
Testing for diabetes means working out what is happening to blood sugar levels. The commonest screening test for diabetes would be an HbA1c level. This looks for the amount of sugar coated on red blood cells and gives an idea of the average blood sugar levels over the previous 3 months. Raised readings are indicative of diabetes.

Other tests include a fasting glucose blood test, which is more reliable than a random test, and an oral glucose tolerance test where the patient drinks a sugary liquid and the blood sugar response is checked after 2 hours. The latter is mainly used to diagnose gestational diabetes (occurring in pregnancy).

In the UK, the NHS offers a Health Check every 5 years between the ages of 40 and 74, which can include a check for diabetes, if appropriate. Clinicians are more likely to test for diabetes in patients who are overweight (a risk factor for the condition) or with a family history.
Yes, these screening tests are generally reliable and effective. The HbA1c test, in particular, is widely used as it is simple to take and gives an overview of your blood sugar levels over several months. It is accurate in most people, as long as their red blood cells are normal. The risk of false negatives is higher than the risk of false positives but overall the test is pretty accurate and reasonable to use. A fasting test is also fairly sensitive and specific and, when readings are borderline, tests can be combined e.g. a fasting glucose and an HbA1c.

The ideal frequency of testing is, however, not totally clear; the NHS suggests every 5 years for asymptomatic patients without specific risk factors. Those at higher risk might warrant testing more frequently, possibly even annually.
If you're at risk of type 2 diabetes due to factors like age, family history, or being overweight, or if you’re offered an NHS health check, it's a good idea to get screened. Talk to your GP about your risk factors, and they can guide you through the appropriate tests. You can also assess your own risk with an online tool like the NHS Diabetes Risk Score. Early detection ensures appropriate management of type 2 diabetes, preventing the long-term complications. A borderline result, which does not diagnose the condition can still be helpful: lifestyle changes can often prevent or significantly delay the onset of Type 2 Diabetes.

By understanding diabetes and creating a supportive work environment, both employers and employees can contribute to managing this condition effectively in the workplace.

Managing Diabetes in the workplace

Understanding diabetes and its impact on work

Creating a supportive workplace

Tips for employees managing diabetes at work

Frequently asked questions on type 2 diabetes

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How can we help?

Understanding diabetes and its impact on work

Creating a supportive workplace

Tips for employees managing diabetes at work

Frequently asked questions on type 2 diabetes

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

What are the screening tests?

Are the tests effective?

So, what should I do?

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