Shift work and support

[KarenB]

Hi folks, any advise / similar experience / comments welcomed

My friend was diagnosed in her mid 20's with sudden onset of type 1 diabetes... and within 1 month took on her first full time shift work job in a hospital environment.... (being newly qualified in an area she's passionate about)
She hasn't had anything like the amount of support she should have had (being told she can't take a break because 'everyone is busy' and the such / catty remarks from supervisors about breaks 'not always being available' etc) She has this mostly sorted now but it seemed to me that there was a startling ignorance (even negative appraisals regarding pulling her weight in a team etc) that a type 1 diabetic whose condition was not yet 'under control' needs to have regular breaks / meals / snacks in order to inject the correct insulin dosages and learn how to manage the condition.

Her working environment seems discriminatory - and I suspect mostly through ignorance (absurd in a 'care' enviorment). Has anyone got any good advice or experiences they have had at dealing with difficult / unsupportive work environments / managers?

 

[William6607]

Hi Karen,
I've had much the same experience in my work, I work shifts and I'm on call every third week, which means I may have to drive hundreds of miles to deal with breakdowns.
I get very little to no support from my local diabetic nurse's (which is not really a bad thing)
Because we diabetics don't wear a sign and 99% of people don't understand anything about diabetes it's ignorance because they have not been affected by diabetes.
most working environments are discriminatory mine is without a doubt.
In a very short time your friend will have things under control and be fine, maybe your friend needs to ask the doctor about changing insulin I'm type 1 and on novorapid and lantus with no problems.
I don't advertise my diabetes and I don't hide it.
Sorry its not a cheery reply but it's how it is.

Alan