• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

refused a break in work

alison m

Well-Known Member
Messages
52
Location
cheshire
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Dislikes
cruelty to any animal or human, not being able to eat sausage rolls and pies any more,
Hi all
yesterday I was as usual in work for 6 am, last saturday I didn't get a break until 10 am, when I finally had something to eat, a bacon sandwich, my BS shot up to 31.5 this scared me so I spoke to the manager and told him I needed to have a break earlier than 10 am, thought he understood but how wrong was I. so yesterday at about 8.15 I felt I needed to eat something, I told the manager and he said he would get another member of staff on the checkout, well this member of staff kicked off and told him if I had a break then I would need another one later on and that it was to early for me to have a break, he said nothing to her and walked away. I did finally get a break at 9am. I was so upset I was in tears and to be honest I couldn't face going in today so rang in sick, I really dont understand what her problem was, they know I am diabetic and need regular breaks throughout my 8 hour shift on the checkout, standing all the time by the way. Can they refuse to give me a break when I feel I need one? The worst of it is I know it will happen again next Saturday because this member of staff does not like going on the checkout, what rights have I got if any at all, please help.
 
Hi you must work in retail, know you might not want to say publicly who your employer is but can let me know on pm if you want.
I am type 1 & work in retail, although nights. However my company bends over backwards for me.
I'm also a union shop steward for Usdaw so I suggest you join the union ASAP.
If things don't improve you need to put in a grievance. I helped out a member who was diabetic once, there manager had refused them a break & the member knew they was going low so took a lucozade off shelf & drank it to correct levels.
Manager took to disaplinary however when I represented them it was thrown out & the member now has access to short breaks at anytime to test or take corrective action


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Hey there. You are absolutely entitled to reasonable breaks otherwise it amounts to disability discrimination. If it kicks off again, file a written grievance with the company. If they have half a brain they will make sure it is sorted because if not, and your working environment became so difficult and detrimental to your health that you couldn't work there, then you could effectively resign and claim constructive dismissal on the grounds of disability discrimination. NO company wants that against their name, least of all a store - if they are a well known name they'll want it even less.

Stand up for yourself - you have rights. Stay cool, just calmly state your position - if no joy - go over their heads and get it sorted.

Any problems, send me a PM and I'll advise you further. Good luck!
 
That's disgraceful! My employers are fantastic with me, my managers sorting shifts and things for my weeks course for pump next month just so I don't need use my holidays, as well as shorter shift pattern for week after incase I need to rest, and that's not to mention they bought a diabetic kit ect for store just incase. Sorry that they made you feel this way, stress will not have helped sugars either x


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Through being diagnosed diabetic whith high bgs and associated problems eg peeing feeling fatigued feeling ill just real not well at all. And the being asked to come in on short notice to the drs when/where I was told about kidney disease and damage . All in all I have had 3 hours off work 1 houre when I had to pick up prescription and 2 hours when I was asked to come in straight away over my kidneys (wanted to get me on meds) that includes driving 20 miles to the drs (verry shaken up knowing somthing wrong but not how bad) waiting to see dr who was running behind . Seeing dr being told whats wrong and going to happen . Going picking up prescription having to wait in busy chemists to be served and then driving 20 miles back to work . Where I was told that one of the bosses had rang to ask if qoute " I was taking the p*** or what". Luckily my supervisor is prety good and told my boss that one of us was and it wasnt me and if he had been in that situation he wouldnt have rang the office personally (as I did ) to tell them he would have just left and told someone else to ring for him. Along with a few other choice words aswell .
 
Hi my word I cannot believe the way your bosses and firms are treating you not to give you time for your tea breaks and time given for gp appointments etc, what are they trying to achieve by treating there staff like skivvies? I cannot believe there are companies out there behaving like that!!!!
 
Hi alison m, I reiterate everything that has already been written. Please take some form of action and please let us know how you get, on, best of luck x
 
Personally, I would have informed him that these days they use blood samples for diabetic monitoring not urine samples but thy might need a urine sample for my kidneys so, yes I was taking a urine sample with me :twisted: :twisted:
 
Hi to every one who responded to me
just an update, I went back to work today, still not feeling good but I made the effort, my manager called me into the office to inform me that I had triggered a disciplinary as I had had 4 absences in a rolling 12 months, I thought here we go, so I calmly informed him that I am protected by the disability discrimination act, he then informed me he would get in touch with HR. He came back about an hour later, I was not getting a disciplinary in fact my sick allowance had been doubled, 4 general illnesses and 4 diabetes related illnesses, result, I then had a risk assessment and I told him that a later start in the mornings would help, enabllng me to eat something before work and therefore not inconveniencing a certain member of staff, regular breaks, these have been written down and will be reviewed in a months time, now they know hopefully things will get better. Thanks all for your help.
 
Good on you Alison so glad things are looking up for you. I mentioned the company I work for in message & they would never double my absence so you've done well there.
Don't be afraid to contact the union if you need to in the future, what you pay your subs for.
Hope things go well for you )


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Wow! GOOD ON YOU!!!! Fantastic - am really pleased you stood up for yourself!! These employers need to learn that they can't just make up rules to suit themselves - any and all policy has to comply with the LAW!!!

Well done!
 
well done alison after what you told them i hope things improve for you.
good luck
 
alison
You should be in the union. they will help as will the diabetes Uk Careline. the number is on-line. Diabetics are covered by the disability discrimination laws.
Hana
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…