I am new to this site and feel in need of some advice, I had a meeting today at work and this was nothing to do with me being diabetic. Then my boss brought this into the meeting, saying if I ever had a diabetic episode at work yes that is what it was called it would be held against my boss and someone else. This has once again struck a raw nerve and I am very upset as I have had only one but caught it in time and they know nothing about it. I am fed up of having to prove myself to have employers come back at me with this does anyone have any advise. Just to let you know I have been type 1 for 31 years and I am afraid to say it if you are diabetic diversity sucks. Does anyone have any advice? :x
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Diversity and Diabeties
- Thread starter Nicky12
- Start Date
collectingrocks
Well-Known Member
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- 241
Consult your employer's Equality & Diversity Policy (if one exists in your organisation). This is not acceptable.
mo1905
BANNED
You are covered by The Equality Act. You can Google it. You cannot be treated differently just because of your diabetes. There are other things too such as time off for medical appts etc. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of grey areas in The Act too. Some employers are more receptive than others. Good luck !
Mo
Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Mo
Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
That is the thing I have not had a sick day in 8 years I only go to the hospital twice a year for my check ups so they have no come back on that one. I choose to work the hours I do owing to transport to and from work its all my own choice nothing to do with the business. I just feel that they could look at what a diabetic has to do on a day to day basis, how I live my life to understand more. I had to do this with my last HR. Plus I do not play on it, I lead a normal life.
2131tom
Well-Known Member
They clearly don't understand anything about diabetes and, IME, ignorance often leads to this sort of prejudice. They'd no doubt be shocked if anyone pointed out just how bigoted their attitude really is.
If your boss is at all approachable, you might try calm and reasoned reassurance, at a quiet time in private - you've had 31 years to learn how to control this and you've done an excellent job so far, it's never affected your work or timekeeping, etc. and you and your doctors can see no reason why this would change. If he's not, I'd probably just mention it all to my doctor, if only to put it on record, and then see how it goes at work.
Although I'm new to diabetes, I'm not to workplace problems and I appreciate that's it's always hard to rise above this sort of thing, especially as you're the one who's having to live with it, 24/7, and they're not. For sure, they can't discriminate against you just because you have T1 but head-on confrontation in the workplace is a tricky route to take, especially with the job market as it is and formal action against employers has never been so uncertain (or potentially costly) to undertake.
Regards,
Tom.
If your boss is at all approachable, you might try calm and reasoned reassurance, at a quiet time in private - you've had 31 years to learn how to control this and you've done an excellent job so far, it's never affected your work or timekeeping, etc. and you and your doctors can see no reason why this would change. If he's not, I'd probably just mention it all to my doctor, if only to put it on record, and then see how it goes at work.
Although I'm new to diabetes, I'm not to workplace problems and I appreciate that's it's always hard to rise above this sort of thing, especially as you're the one who's having to live with it, 24/7, and they're not. For sure, they can't discriminate against you just because you have T1 but head-on confrontation in the workplace is a tricky route to take, especially with the job market as it is and formal action against employers has never been so uncertain (or potentially costly) to undertake.
Regards,
Tom.
collectingrocks
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 241
Hey Nicky
You have nothing to be ashamed of. You have more experience of T1 than your boss (unless he's T1 as well.... :lol
. Yes, I forgot to mention the Equalities Act 2010 mentioned by mo1905. Usually big companies take equality and diversity very seriously and discriminating against somebody because of a medical condition is derogatory and illegal.
I too am new to diabetes but have plenty of experience in the workplace - and certainly had my fair share of bullies etc. But just an aside (and do forgive me for saying this), are you sure that your work record (and conduct) is exemplary, i.e. can you think of "anything" that your boss could pull you up on that might trigger a warning or disciplinary? The reason I ask is that I have been a victim of workplace bullying (and still am) and through my experience/research had a good look at myself to check I had nothing that could be used against me.
Is your boss/firm looking to make redundancies? Are you on the hit list? He cannot use diabetes as an excuse but it sounds like he is using a bullying and scaremongering tactic. Make sure you record everything he says and contact your union (if approachable).
You have nothing to be ashamed of. You have more experience of T1 than your boss (unless he's T1 as well.... :lol
. Yes, I forgot to mention the Equalities Act 2010 mentioned by mo1905. Usually big companies take equality and diversity very seriously and discriminating against somebody because of a medical condition is derogatory and illegal. I too am new to diabetes but have plenty of experience in the workplace - and certainly had my fair share of bullies etc. But just an aside (and do forgive me for saying this), are you sure that your work record (and conduct) is exemplary, i.e. can you think of "anything" that your boss could pull you up on that might trigger a warning or disciplinary? The reason I ask is that I have been a victim of workplace bullying (and still am) and through my experience/research had a good look at myself to check I had nothing that could be used against me.
Is your boss/firm looking to make redundancies? Are you on the hit list? He cannot use diabetes as an excuse but it sounds like he is using a bullying and scaremongering tactic. Make sure you record everything he says and contact your union (if approachable).
jopar
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,222
Nicky
Try not to worry about it, if the worst comes to the worst there is a lot of help out there... Diabetesuk, CAB and ACASS will all help with advise (diabetesuk have a very good booklet how diabetes fits in with the Equality Act, and excellent employment advocate)
At the beginning of the year, hubby found himself facing his first ever discipline in his working history! And it got nasty indeed..
Diabetes uk and CAB, provided us with the main support and advise concerning the situation,
ACASS, gave us primary advise and monitored the progress of the case, but couldn't act on his behave until he got to the appeal stage..
I can't go into detail on open forum but if you want more information just pm me.
But prior to appeal, they manager first tried to issued a final written warning, which in it self, didn't comply with correct misconduct disciplinary procedures... Hubby has never been issued with any previous disciplinary measures or even investigate for a possible misconduct during his service of 23 years! The incident hadn't endangered life or limb etc Also he provide evidence from his blood glucose meter that would be excepted by a court of law in his defense, a blood glucose reading that proved beyond doubt he was hypoglycemic at the time of the incident!
They still tried to issue a basic written warning after further investigation, which included human resources checking out legal status (so they said!) contacting his G.P for medical information etc! At this point the company can issue a misconduct discipline whether you except it or not! Which they did so he went to appeal..
The appeal was conducted by an area manager, and was beyond a joke to say the least
At one point of the meeting with the area manager, the area manager said " I don't understand how after 33 years of being diagnoses with T1, that you haven't learnt to control your conduct during a hypo"! It was blatantly obvious at the end of the meeting, that the area manager hadn't taken on board anything and was going to uphold the misconduct disciplinary!
ACASS was aware of this meeting they had offered to contact the company to be present at this meeting, which hubby declined, feeling that surely somebody in the company would come to their senses!
But as soon as ACASS did contact the company, they went into panic mode, they drop everything like a sack of hot potatoes, and since tried to bury it...
But what made this situation even more unpleasant and stressful, is that this company isn't a factory, shop etc... Where you wouldn't expect managers/employee's to understand diabetes that well...
As my husband is a duty care supervisor working for a large Care Company! Who should know a lot better
Try not to worry about it, if the worst comes to the worst there is a lot of help out there... Diabetesuk, CAB and ACASS will all help with advise (diabetesuk have a very good booklet how diabetes fits in with the Equality Act, and excellent employment advocate)
At the beginning of the year, hubby found himself facing his first ever discipline in his working history! And it got nasty indeed..
Diabetes uk and CAB, provided us with the main support and advise concerning the situation,
ACASS, gave us primary advise and monitored the progress of the case, but couldn't act on his behave until he got to the appeal stage..
I can't go into detail on open forum but if you want more information just pm me.
But prior to appeal, they manager first tried to issued a final written warning, which in it self, didn't comply with correct misconduct disciplinary procedures... Hubby has never been issued with any previous disciplinary measures or even investigate for a possible misconduct during his service of 23 years! The incident hadn't endangered life or limb etc Also he provide evidence from his blood glucose meter that would be excepted by a court of law in his defense, a blood glucose reading that proved beyond doubt he was hypoglycemic at the time of the incident!
They still tried to issue a basic written warning after further investigation, which included human resources checking out legal status (so they said!) contacting his G.P for medical information etc! At this point the company can issue a misconduct discipline whether you except it or not! Which they did so he went to appeal..
The appeal was conducted by an area manager, and was beyond a joke to say the least
At one point of the meeting with the area manager, the area manager said " I don't understand how after 33 years of being diagnoses with T1, that you haven't learnt to control your conduct during a hypo"! It was blatantly obvious at the end of the meeting, that the area manager hadn't taken on board anything and was going to uphold the misconduct disciplinary!
ACASS was aware of this meeting they had offered to contact the company to be present at this meeting, which hubby declined, feeling that surely somebody in the company would come to their senses!
But as soon as ACASS did contact the company, they went into panic mode, they drop everything like a sack of hot potatoes, and since tried to bury it...
But what made this situation even more unpleasant and stressful, is that this company isn't a factory, shop etc... Where you wouldn't expect managers/employee's to understand diabetes that well...
As my husband is a duty care supervisor working for a large Care Company! Who should know a lot better
Robinredbreast
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Nicky12 said:
Hi Nicky, what an awful uncalled for thing to say and to put you in an horrible situation.
You have been given some great advice on here, but it's very difficult when it's just one up against a company.
I really hope you can get some sound and helpful advice and support. I think my eyebrows would of been raised so high and my jaw on the floor with shock :shock:
Good luck and please take good care, as you say you have had type 1 for 31 years and it would seem you are managing it very well :thumbup: good for you
When working for a company, 30 hours + and being type 1 and then pregnant, I appeared to be the fittest person there as I never had a day off work sick, when some people were always off for some trivial reason ( a women with a wheat intolerance had time off because she ate a donner kebab the night before :roll: )and then I would get a phone call asking me come in and cover, it was maddening at times.
RRB
Hi guys
I just want to give you all a big thank you for all your advice this has helped me through a very tough week where I have had to hide my real feelings at work consider all my options. My better half has had a word with his HR to get some advice. They have said that health issues should not be discussed unless they are causing problems at work - mine are not its other issues they consider the concern. Plus one thing for you to all know they cannot bring this up in an interview situation for a new job that is up to you. Better to be honest in my book. Believe me I am watching my back at all times. Every one is saying I should make a complaint and I am holding this back until the correct time when it will be more effective. What a crazy week!!!!
I feel more positive now, but it will take me a while to get over this.
A big hug to say thank you everyone :wave:
I just want to give you all a big thank you for all your advice this has helped me through a very tough week where I have had to hide my real feelings at work consider all my options. My better half has had a word with his HR to get some advice. They have said that health issues should not be discussed unless they are causing problems at work - mine are not its other issues they consider the concern. Plus one thing for you to all know they cannot bring this up in an interview situation for a new job that is up to you. Better to be honest in my book. Believe me I am watching my back at all times. Every one is saying I should make a complaint and I am holding this back until the correct time when it will be more effective. What a crazy week!!!!
I feel more positive now, but it will take me a while to get over this.
A big hug to say thank you everyone :wave:
