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Discrimination

A friend of mine was discriminated at work . Because she was treating her hypo.. wasn’t allowed to treat it..
 
First thing the should do is ask for a referral to occupational health she can discus the issues with them and OH can write to the company confirming the requirement to treat and pointing them in the direction of the equality act

Your friend could also download a template from the equality act support service that indicate the employers obligation to make adjustments to allow for treatment

If that all fails they can issue an official grievance pointing out the obligation

Failing that they can goto acass and discuss the issue and discuss the conciliation service or tribunal options
 
Thank you for your advice. Occupational health has been in touch with her employer in the past . And she was allowed to have a break to treat it . He has since retired and she is no longer able to treat it. When she needs to.I have advised her to take out an official grievance. But she seems unwilling to do that. She is going to speak to her doctor . To see if something can be done.
 
Sponge12 said:
Thank you for your advice. Occupational health has been in touch with her employer in the past . And she was allowed to have a break to treat it . He has since retired and she is no longer able to treat it. When she needs to.I have advised her to take out an official grievance. But she seems unwilling to do that. She is going to speak to her doctor . To see if something can be done.
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She can ask for another referral to OH so they can re-state the requirement

She can point out the requirements of reasonable adjustments under the equality act

But I’d start with OH again.. I’ve had 3 OH appointments to ensure the right thing is done
 
That’s what I had to do myself I had 3 appointments . To OH myself. They even sent my manager a video about Diabetes. I think it’s terrible that employers don’t know how to deal with diabetics.
 
Sponge12 said:
That’s what I had to do myself I had 3 appointments . To OH myself. They even sent my manager a video about Diabetes. I think it’s terrible that employers don’t know how to deal with diabetics.
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Employers are just human beings and plenty of those don't know about hypoglycemia. The issue here, in my opinion, is if they don't understand when it is explained to them that a hypo is a potential medical emergency that needs immediate treatment.

If it's a choice between letting someone treat their hypo or calling for an ambulance when they are comatose on the floor then the decision should be pretty easy...
 
I agree with you . My friend’s employer has had diabetes explained to her. But she still doesn’t understand why she has to have a break to treat her hypo..which would be Discrimination.
 
Sponge12 said:
I agree with you . My friend’s employer has had diabetes explained to her. But she still doesn’t understand why she has to have a break to treat her hypo..which would be Discrimination.
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My partner has lived with me, with diabetes for 10 years, and there are still aspectss he just doesn't "get", so I sort of sympathise with the employer (in terms of knowing everything about everything, not taking their side regarding hypos). They have a LOT to get their head around, and your friend, I am assuming is one employee of many?

She's the only one who can do anything about this, by taking the first steps with Occy Health, who have shown in the past that they understand thee requirements her employer should be fulfilling.
 
Sponge12 said:
I agree with you . My friend’s employer has had diabetes explained to her. But she still doesn’t understand why she has to have a break to treat her hypo..which would be Discrimination.
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And yet smokers are usually allowed a couple of 5 minute breaks each shift. That used to really get my goat when I worked in the corporate world.
 
Does the company she works for have an HR/Personnel dept? She could have a chat with them if they do.
 
This is a link to the "other" diabetes website - https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/your-legal-rights. PDF of advice booklet attached.

because the Equality Act 2010 treats each person as an individual you can't make generalisations about particular circumstances. However there is plenty of case law now that treats T1 as a disability under the Act, so your friend's employers are not only not doing the right thing but putting their business at risk if they don't comply with the law.

[edited for typos]
 

Attachments

@KennyA I apologise for going off at a tangent but, please can you refrain from using combative terms like "other" diabetes site when referring to the very useful Diabetes UK.
It is not "the other" site - there are multiple other sites dedicated to diabetes in the UK and, given this is a global forum, in other countries.
Let's call it what it is, "Diabetes UK".
 
In Response said:
@KennyA I apologise for going off at a tangent but, please can you refrain from using combative terms like "other" diabetes site when referring to the very useful Diabetes UK.
It is not "the other" site - there are multiple other sites dedicated to diabetes in the UK and, given this is a global forum, in other countries.
Let's call it what it is, "Diabetes UK".
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Please note my use of inverted commas, which clearly has not been understood.

I would ask you to think a little about why you assumed I intended to be "combative" (odd word) when referring the OP to that very website and posting its useful pdf guide on Employment and Diabetes?
 
Sponge12 said:
A friend of mine was discriminated at work . Because she was treating her hypo.. wasn’t allowed to treat it..
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Hi,

In what way was your friend not allowed to treat the low?

Some places have a “no food policy” on the shop floor due to cross contamination. (Food packing & such like?)
This does make things tricky but a sealed container with the sweet stuff carried & administered away from any prep area can work in this scenario..
Other places I’ve worked colleagues are popping food stuff all the time..
 
Jaylee said:
Hi,

In what way was your friend not allowed to treat the low?

Some places have a “no food policy” on the shop floor due to cross contamination. (Food packing & such like?)
This does make things tricky but a sealed container with the sweet stuff carried & administered away from any prep area can work in this scenario..
Other places I’ve worked colleagues are popping food stuff all the time..
Click to expand...

Sponge12 said:
A friend of mine was discriminated at work . Because she was treating her hypo.. wasn’t allowed to treat it..
Click to expand...

I was just about to ask what job your friend does. Like trying to rationalize why she was not allowed to treat the hypo.
A lot of people can 'scoff a chocolate bar' on the spot at work, right? Or at least go somewhere where they can . .
 
TheRightStuff said:
I was just about to ask what job your friend does. Like trying to rationalize why she was not allowed to treat the hypo.
A lot of people can 'scoff a chocolate bar' on the spot at work, right? Or at least go somewhere where they can . .
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I get offered stuff all the time.. They know I don’t eat it.
Things get brought in & shared. It’s offered & still floats under my nose as I respect their attempt to stay inclusive?

Lol, actually I was offered something the other day by my boss, just as my low alarm beeped.. we got a no phone policy but they’re cool about the fact in regards to the sensor.. “take 2.” She said. :)
 
I work in a hazardous (explosive) environment. And drive HGV with explosive loads so phones and tech are banned due to the risk.. and even they have had to come up with exceptions and policies to allow me to continue as normal again all help by OH..

Whenever I have an OH appointment the provider copies of their findings to me…. So even if there is a new manager I can print that and provide it to them
 
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