Interviews

[diamonddamaris]

Is it just me or does anyone else feel that they automatically get ruled out of a job if they mention Diabetes in an Interview?

 

[Rachox]

I’m not in the job market being retired, but my immediate gut response to your query is, is there a need to mention your diabetes at such an early stage in the selection process?

 

[Antje77]

Is it just me or does anyone else feel that they automatically get ruled out of a job if they mention Diabetes in an Interview?

I think mentioning it or not (from a personal point of view, not a legal one, I don't know much about that part, and rules are different between our countries anyway) for me would depend on if I'd expect to need serious adjustments.

I had a formal job interview a year ago and didn't mention it because I didn't expect my diabetes to interfere with my job much.
Got the job (operator of a bridge), and only once until the season ended at the start of November has diabetes affected my job. It only meant I let a couple of boats wait an extra 5 minutes to allow myself to truly get rid of a hypo before letting down the barriers to stop cars, bikes, pedestrians before opening the bridge.
So no need to mention it.

I casually mentioned it to my boss at some point, her only reaction was: "oh cool, your long time colleague has diabetes as well, diabetics seem to be excellent bridge operators."
I reapplied for the upcoming season just yesterday and was hired in 5 minutes.

I've also worked on traditional sailing ships, sailing with groups. Interviews tend to be very informal there, especially if you've been around for a long time, it's a small world.
I don't mention diabetes when interviewing, but I do talk some scenarios through with my skipper before we set sail to be safe. We're the only two professionals on a ship with some 30 tourists, it's important my skipper knows I may need a time out.

What adjustments do you need at work to make you feel you need to mention diabetes during the interview?

 

[Jaylee]

Hi,

In my personal experience. I’ve been offered opportunities where my T1 would not allow me to qualify for the position? Had an operations manager offer me training & a position as a driver. Had to remind him I’m fine on the smaller commercials not the HGVs..

He still didn’t care.. Needless to say, it wasn’t gonna fly.

I mean this in all well meaning seriousness. Try attending the next interview not wearing the “wedding dress” on the first date?

Best wishes you might land the job you want..

 

[diamonddamaris]

Ia it not better though to go into an interview and be honest about the condition so it shows you are a trustworthy person rather than getting hired and then being asked why didn’t you mention this in an interview? I have had hypos at work and still has to continue working as had no staff and the managers weren’t in. I rent to get into a routine and have my meals around certain times so I’ve become aware of how much insulin to give.

 

[Pipp]

Diabetes never impacted on my work, (T2 though, so not having to deal with hypos, insulin management, etc.) though I do have other health conditions that need some adjustments to working patterns, and adaptations to my environment. Although I have been retired quite some years from paid employment, I have, for almost 50 years , been working in voluntary positions, even when I was in paid employment.
At interviews, I would mention my impairments, if I thought it appropriate, but in a positive way, emphasising how I managed the condition, how it gave me a better understanding of others with health conditions or disability, and how I was willing to arrive early, or stay late to ensure any time lost due to my impairment would not be ‘company time’. Also made sure I gave examples of how I had worked round an issue using problem solving skills learned through experience of managing my health condition. I believed that if I went in to interview telling about how my health condition was a problem for them, rather than something I dealt with in a positive way, I would be setting myself up to fail.

 

[Outlier]

As many companies have a 'target' for employing disabled people, this could be a positive, even though we don't see our diabetes as a disability. We can stress that it is well- managed and doesn't require outsider help on a day to day basis. Most people don't differentiate between T1 and T2 and if mentioned it should be in the context of allaying their fears that someone would have to be dealing with a medical emergency.

 

[lovinglife]

This is from ACAS on disability in the work place. An employer doesn’t have the right to ask about disability at an interview or if you end up getting the job. Unless it’s an health & safety issue for that particular job, but that list is limited

Talking about disability - Supporting disabled people at work - Acas

Supporting disabled people at work, including talking about disability and what an employer should do to support disabled employees, workers and job applicants.

www.acas.org.uk

 

[searley]

This is from ACAS on disability in the work place. An employer doesn’t have the right to ask about disability at an interview or if you end up getting the job. Unless it’s an health & safety issue for that particular job, but that list is limited

Talking about disability - Supporting disabled people at work - Acas

Supporting disabled people at work, including talking about disability and what an employer should do to support disabled employees, workers and job applicants.

www.acas.org.uk

I think it comes down to how the individual lets diabetes control their lives

So use a high BG as an excuse for a day off, or a mild hypo

In which case might be worth the mention as you are going to expect the company to adjust straight away

Also there is the risk currently that you can be let go for any reason in the first few years

Me, I’ve never had an unplanned day off due to the diabetes, so whether I’d mention it would be upto me

Unless I was applying for a job where there may be issues, for example I do have a class 1 hgv and the diabetes does cause some complications