Just been asked to arrange a visit to the works doctor.

Ultimaf

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Ok I'm a 34 year old type 1 diagnosed in October 2015. I've had two hypos before having to drive to work so I've been late twice waiting for my BG to stabilise.

This morning I've had a note handed to me from my manager saying I need to arrange a meeting with the works doctor to see if there is anything we can do to avoid hypos. Also a meeting with HR has been mentioned.

I'm a little scared they are going to say my attendance isn't great. 3 incidents of illness since Jan 2015 one of which is when I was diagnosed, and the two lates.

Has anyone else experienced this before? What was the outcome? What should I do if I have to see HR? I'd really appreciate some help I'd not like to be put on a disapline or worse lose my job.
 
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BrianTheElder

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Ok I'm a 34 year old type 1 diagnosed in October 2015. I've had two hypos before having to drive to work so I've been late twice waiting for my BG to stabilise.

This morning I've had a note handed to me from my manager saying I need to arrange a meeting with the works doctor to see if there is anything we can do to avoid hypos. Also a meeting with HR has been mentioned.

I'm a little scared they are going to say my attendance isn't great. 3 incidents of illness since Jan 2015 one of which is when I was diagnosed, and the two lates.

Has anyone else experienced this before? What was the outcome? What should I do if I have to see HR? I'd really appreciate some help I'd not like to be put on a disapline or worse lose my job.
I hope, like any sensible employer, they are covering themselves in case you have problems at work. They may just want to make sure all necessary steps have been taken to ensure your safety and comply with any regulations that may apply. After all, if you have a hypo at work, your safety and others may be compromised. As a small employer (ex) myself, I can assure you that not all employers are plotting to do you down, but most are interested in your well-being.
 
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Ultimaf

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This firm is quite large and have a slight reputation of if you have something wrong with you they sort of find a way to get rid of you. So I'm a bit worried.
 
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Robkww

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Hi @Ultimaf if these are the first series of meetings requested by your employer since diagnosis I would tend to do more listening than talking. They are hopefully concerned for your well being and their responsibility which is why they have called the meetings.
 

Scott-C

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If they're big enough to have a works doctor and HR dept, they'll be aware of the Equality Act 2010 and the need for them to make reasonable adjustments for diabetes.

I'd emphasise that because the dividing line between having good blood sugar at, say, five or six, is pretty damned close to being hypo at four it is almost inevitable that even the best controlled diabetics will hypo from time to time and it is no reflection at all of bad control. If we could all choose where our blood sugars were, that would be fine and dandy, but I'd emphasise that the reality is that there are random factors in the background which will throw a spanner in the works from time to time.

I think that the reasonable adjustments which the 2010 Act requires them to make would include making allowances for the occasional lateness caused by a medical condition, especially where the law requires you to meet certain conditions before it is safe to drive.

I wouldn't be too in their face about it: the reality is that they're likely trying to see if there's anything they can do to help or accomodate.

But if they do get snotty about it, it all comes down to the fact that the 2010 Act requires them to make allowances for this sort of thing. Make sure you take a photo of your blood meter to prove the hypo, and get a letter from your DSN explaining the inevitably of hypos, so that if it does get messy you've got some evidence to f*ck them over at a Tribunal.
 

Daibell

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Hi. I would just go along with it. They probably are trying to control sickness which as a manager before retirement I know can be a big problem for a company and the staff left to carry the burden. Hopefully with gained experience you now know how to minimise hypo risk. If you have any excess weight then reducing that will reduce insulin needs and hence the size of any BS swings and hypo risks. Serious hypos should be a fairly rare experience whereas 'going low' can be quite common but quickly corrected with glucose. Try to explain to your employer how you have learned to reduce hypo risk etc.
 
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Ultimaf

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My hba1c is 38 I have been told I'm running a bit low I try to keep my bloods between 5.5 and 7.

Work haven't had to make any allowances as we have brewtimes and I check when I brew.

My manager has told me I'm second from top in a Bradford factor? "Second only to a man with cancer and diabetes isn't as serious as cancer."
He also said that I'd be passed over for more important jobs and promotions due to my condition.

What sort of allowances would be accommodated?
 

BrianTheElder

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My hba1c is 38 I have been told I'm running a bit low I try to keep my bloods between 5.5 and 7.


He also said that I'd be passed over for more important jobs and promotions due to my condition.
If that isn't discrimination, I don't know what would be! I understand that that's the way the world works and there is subtle discrimination, but that's OTT, and to your face!
 
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Juicyj

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Hi @Ultimaf They need to tread very carefully here due to the equality act if you can take a representative/friend with you to observe and take notes that would help as sometimes a third party can be a useful witness as well as recording information.
 
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βɪℒʟẙ

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Have u spoke with 'Acas'?.

I had a few issues at work so my mrs spoke with them. They called the work and even came to the work for meetings. They was very very helpful and know what they're doing. If u get stuck or want someone to sit in a meeting with u give them a call
 

Ultimaf

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Have u spoke with 'Acas'?.

I had a few issues at work so my mrs spoke with them. They called the work and even came to the work for meetings. They was very very helpful and know what they're doing. If u get stuck or want someone to sit in a meeting with u give them a call
I'll have a good read of the Acas website when I finish work tonight cheers.
 

Ultimaf

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Out of interest would it be prudent to ask about pump therapy with this works doctor? I have recently been discharged from my specialist nurse who told me that good control patients are what the pump specialist looks for as they are interested in looking after there bloods. However the new nurse said my hba1c was too well controlled to be even considered for a pump. If hypos are interfering with my work and shifts would the works doctor be able to recommend a pump?
 

noblehead

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Out of interest would it be prudent to ask about pump therapy with this works doctor?

The works Dr wouldn't be able to help, you would need to discuss the possibility of changing to a pump with a DSN/Consultant, ultimately it's the Consultant who will decide and put your case forward for pump funding.

Good luck with the meeting @Ultimaf
 
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Fruitella

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Hi, I would ask to see any information/comments from the doc that may be shared with HR - before they are. Good luck.
 

Chook

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If they ask for a report from your GP you should tick the box which says you want to see it first. This recently happened to me and in his report my GP was wrong on several points.
 
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Big_Col

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Harsh as this might seem, it sounds like you just need to get up earlier! :angelic:

It's something I've done. Set an earlier alarm, get up, test and apply any corrective action. Then back to bed. Yes, it is annoying when nothing needs doing.

In my work I go out driving with another person. The 'reasonable adjustment' made is that the other person can also drive, so if I can't drive because I'm a little low, they can take over for a while.
 
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Ultimaf

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Well I saw the works physician today he says he will arrange a consultants appointment because I'm having way too many hypos. He looked at my libre data and agreed that my insulin regime needed adjusting. Also to the guys who mentioned the equality act, yes you were right. Thanks for keeping me sane!