Type 1 Using a mobile at work when at high risk of hypo

[Agnicha]

Hi there sweet community!
Does anyone knows something about the right of using mobile phone at work? I am a diabetic typ 1 since over 31 years and I have never experienced such a situation like at my work place recenty. I am working within confidential environment and each employee isn't allowed to use a phone, it's completely natural. And I don't use my condition as an excuse. But my employer knows from the very beginning that I have a brittle diabetes with low hypo awareness. I lost some of hypo symptoms (trembliness, feeling weak etc.) due to neuropathic changes. Keeping in my pocket: meter, insulin, sweets and mobile phone is absolutely essential for me, in case of hypo. I don't use phone for make a private calls but only keep that, just in case. My employer isn't happy with that. Apart from that, I am working in a team and she told me that other members of staff could be disappointed by the fact that I have a mobile with me and they are not. I was trying to explain everything, that every device which helps me in managing my diabetes (i.e. alarms set in my phone remind me when I should measure my B.G. or take insulin) is very important and other members of staff doesn't have diabetes. I even asked, what if I will bring a note from my GP or diabetes team. I heard that nothing will change because my doctor isn't a lawyer and can't dictate to my employer what should be the rules. Finally, I was given a choice: you keep your mobile and leave or follow the company rules. Does someone of you sweeties, has some suggestions or have you been in a similar situation?

 

[HaileyCropper]

I would speak to someone in your HR department and talk about discrimination in the workplace.

 

[Agnicha]

Thank you Hailey

 

[Mrs Vimes]

I don't understand why you would need your phone if you are working with other people? Do you pick up cgm on it? That I would understand.

 

[mrspuddleduck]

Hi @Agnicha Is the alarm the only reason you need you phone at work? To be honest if it is I'm not sure you would have a case as there are suitable alternatives available. Legally your employer only has to make
' reasonable adjustments' to accommodate your health condition and it sounds like they have done that. Could you use a watch with an alarm instead?

 

[TorqPenderloin]

I don't understand why you would need your phone if you are working with other people? Do you pick up cgm on it? That I would understand.

I would have to agree. As most of us know, if a hypo is that bad, I'd highly doubt you could use a phone anyways.

Get an Accu-Chek Aviva Expert. It has a function that allows you to setup alarms.

As far as needing your phone in the event of an emergency, work with your boss to assign someone to be in charge of helping you.

 

[dawnmc]

What did we do before mobile phones eh.

 

[Mrs Vimes]

Carried a 5p for the phone box for emergencies!

 

[Jaylee]

Hi there sweet community!
Does anyone knows something about the right of using mobile phone at work? I am a diabetic typ 1 since over 31 years and I have never experienced such a situation like at my work place recenty. I am working within confidential environment and each employee isn't allowed to use a phone, it's completely natural. And I don't use my condition as an excuse. But my employer knows from the very beginning that I have a brittle diabetes with low hypo awareness. I lost some of hypo symptoms (trembliness, feeling weak etc.) due to neuropathic changes. Keeping in my pocket: meter, insulin, sweets and mobile phone is absolutely essential for me, in case of hypo. I don't use phone for make a private calls but only keep that, just in case. My employer isn't happy with that. Apart from that, I am working in a team and she told me that other members of staff could be disappointed by the fact that I have a mobile with me and they are not. I was trying to explain everything, that every device which helps me in managing my diabetes (i.e. alarms set in my phone remind me when I should measure my B.G. or take insulin) is very important and other members of staff doesn't have diabetes. I even asked, what if I will bring a note from my GP or diabetes team. I heard that nothing will change because my doctor isn't a lawyer and can't dictate to my employer what should be the rules. Finally, I was given a choice: you keep your mobile and leave or follow the company rules. Does someone of you sweeties, has some suggestions or have you been in a similar situation?

Hi,

Yes. I have worked in these environments where a mobile device such as a phone. (Or even a USB stick) breaches a security risk... Though, personally I don't miss my phone.

I don't expect you to tell me where you work. Just how long have you worked there??

 

[Agnicha]

Thanks everyone. That give me some thought on the main topic. The thing is much more complicated. Employer gave me "reasonable adjustments" i.e. phones placed on the desks but it doesn't give any option to set up my own alarms. Unfortunately, everyone in my team, apart from me and my supervisor, is from Portugal and they speak little english or no english (just for clarification I'm a cleaner at the office). So even the chance of fast reaction, call for help may be too difficult for them. When I tell them that I'm feeling bad, they will barely able to say "no worries" without taking any action. Right meter might be very helpful. Lost symptoms of hypo means for me that sometimes even I can have communication problem and I was in a situation where pressing 2 or 3 buttons on my mobile (without any word ) to call to my partner, was much quicker and effective because he knows me best and help was with me in a short time. Anyway, thanks for your advice.

 

[Agnicha]

Hi,

Yes. I have worked in these environments where a mobile device such as a phone. (Or even a USB stick) breaches a security risk... Though, personally I don't miss my phone.

I don't expect you to tell me where you work. Just how long have you worked there??

It will be 1 year in May. Maybe it will be better for me to shut up till that time

 

[mrspuddleduck]

Hi again @Agnicha just exploring your dilemma from another angle. Is there anyway you can improve your diabetic control? Can I ask why is your diabetes brittle? X

 

[Agnicha]

Hi again @Agnicha just exploring your dilemma from another angle. Is there anyway you can improve your diabetic control? Can I ask why is your diabetes brittle? X

my diabetes team is very hard working with me to help me to get a better control in my sugar levels. But as far as I have this problem (31 years with diabetes) any doctor, anyone can't explain in full why it does happens. I'd like to know as well how to improve that. I'm not a person who doesn't care and doesn't follow advice of my nurse or doctor. I overcame a diabetes coma sucessfully 15 yrs ago with 66.6 sugar level, doctor didn't gave me any chances and my family was terrified. But after that I got a better control but with frequent episodes of hypo. Many attemps, many! of insulin changes, doses, diet adjustments. No effect. Physical nature of my job means also a higher risk of hypo but right now I don't have any other option.

 

[mrspuddleduck]

my diabetes team is very hard working with me to help me to get a better control in my sugar levels. But as far as I have this problem (31 years with diabetes) any doctor, anyone can't explain in full why it does happens. I'd like to know as well how to improve that. I'm not a person who doesn't care and doesn't follow advice of my nurse or doctor. I overcame a diabetes coma sucessfully 15 yrs ago with 66.6 sugar level, doctor didn't gave me any chances and my family was terrified. But after that I got a better control but with frequent episodes of hypo. Many attemps, many! of insulin changes, doses, diet adjustments. No effect. Physical nature of my job means also a higher risk of hypo but right now I don't have any other option.

Oh @Agnicha it must be so hard for you to be in this situation for so long. Is your diabetic team at the GP or the hospital. Whilst I appreciate that you say they have been good, if you are having such frequent hypos without warning then a Specialist should be investigating further. It may be worth going back to your doctor again and asking for a referral. Xx

 

[Agnicha]

Oh @Agnicha it must be so hard for you to be in this situation for so long. Is your diabetic team at the GP or the hospital. Whilst I appreciate that you say they have been good, if you are having such frequent hypos without warning then a Specialist should be investigating further. It may be worth going back to your doctor again and asking for a referral. Xx

Thanks so much for your support. I am already with specialists, incl. neurologist, hope that we will get some solution with a time. I had an offer of getting insulin pump so maybe it will help?

 

[AndBreathe]

For alarms, couldn't you use something like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018LXKS90?psc=1

There are thousands of those things available and depending on which you choose, it is possible to time up or countdown the time, and I doubt that would breach your company policy.

As far as your employer's reasonableness, it's difficult to make any form of judgement unless the secrecy/confidential issue was more fully understood. Let's face it, these days phone can potentially cause/facilitate significant security breaches from their functionality. By that, I'm thinking of things like being able to take photographs.

 

[Agnicha]

"AndBreathe" I must admit that, there's many things that I can use without breaching the company policy. But saying to me things like "you discriminate other members of staff because u keep your phone and they are not" is highly unnecessary. I omitted the fact, that any meetings about the work nature, what is permitted and what is not are in portugese language which I don't understand. This is english company and I'd expect that meetings will be in english but I am always overlooked because majority of staff doesn't understand english. I could be discriminated too in this situation

 

[azure]

Thanks so much for your support. I am already with specialists, incl. neurologist, hope that we will get some solution with a time. I had an offer of getting insulin pump so maybe it will help?

It might be a good idea to look into getting a pump. If it can help reduce your hypos then that would be excellent.

I understand why you want to keep your phone near at work. If you don't feel confident that your colleagues will understand and help, then I can see that would make you very anxious. Obviously, I don't know what your job is or why phones are not allowed, but I do understand how terrifying a hypo can be.

 

[Jaylee]

It might be a good idea to look into getting a pump. If it can help reduce your hypos then that would be excellent.

I understand why you want to keep your phone near at work. If you don't feel confident that your colleagues will understand and help, then I can see that would make you very anxious. Obviously, I don't know what your job is or why phones are not allowed, but I do understand how terrifying a hypo can be.

The OP is a cleaner. The phone thing is due to the high level of "security" (or paranoia.? Lol) at the place of work. The OP would most likely be subject to a "background check" too, before taking on the position..
I myself have been subject to such rules. Even signing the official secrets act in some government buildings regarding previous positions.. On one job I had to leave my phone at the gate of a women's prison.. On another. Top side while I went 800 meters underground...

 

[Jaylee]

For alarms, couldn't you use something like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018LXKS90?psc=1

There are thousands of those things available and depending on which you choose, it is possible to time up or countdown the time, and I doubt that would breach your company policy.

As far as your employer's reasonableness, it's difficult to make any form of judgement unless the secrecy/confidential issue was more fully understood. Let's face it, these days phone can potentially cause/facilitate significant security breaches from their functionality. By that, I'm thinking of things like being able to take photographs.

Indeed. Or even upload data.... Even software companies don't allow unsanctioned USB sticks due to potential viruses... Big no no.. (My wife worked for one years ago.)
..... & try working at Dyson.. Apparently it's like James Bond!