working

[sugarybibs]

Hi all does any type 1 work in a retail shop and what effect does it have on your diabetes?only asking because i have always worked in an office and would like a change

 

[stephenT2]

Hi,

Ironically, my career has been the other way round! I started off in retail (for over 20 years) and have now progressed to an office based job. I've only been recently diagnosed, so have no idea what effect 'retail' has on diabetes.

However, I think you should really think this through. In retail, 7 day working is not as much fun as its made out to be! The hours can be very long, espeacially coming up to Christmas. I often started at 7am and finished up to midnight. In addition, I have actually worked many Christmas days - who do you think prepares the sales for boxing day!

You are also very much in the hands of the general public, meal breaks etc are determined by how busy the store is - rather than rigid times. In an office, things like this can be more regimented, and I would assume easier to manage your diabetes. If you are operating a till, or in the middle of a long sale, you can't really leave to blood test & inject.

It took me a year to get use to an 'office' lifestyle, for a start, I had every weekend off. As for Christmas, it was a total shock to my system that I actually had time off and instead of workload ramping up, it actually decreased. I know you are looking for a change, but the grass is always greener.......

Stephen

 

[Nemo]

hmmmmmmm, see I would simply say go for it.

Yes, it would mean making some adjustments, but that does not mean you should be restricted in your choice of job. As a diabetic on insulin I have worked in retail, in an office and most recently for the jolly ole NHS working shifts 24/7 and have, when desired, maintained good control in each.

When I worked in retail, I was on a qds regime and it was never a problem to disappear and inject/eat if required outside of allocated breaktimes, not that the need really arose that often.

 

[stephenT2]

You know Nemo,

After re-reading my post, it does come over a bit negative! Retail is a fabulous environment to work in. It has a tremendous buzz, dealing directly with the public is invigorating, and if you have the desire, career progression is usually down solely on your enthusiasm and ability - not qualifiactions.

I suppose recently living the Monday to Friday, 9 - 5 routine has softened me

I agree..... go for it!

 

[sugarybibs]

Hi all does any type 1 work in a retail shop and what effect does it have on your diabetes?only asking because i have always worked in an office and would like a change

Thanks for all your replies.The only thing is will anyone employ me now.Then again i am quite fit even though ive been type 1 for over 38 years!!!I was the one who was never off sick in work!Then i was thinking again at least in the office you can have a rest at your desk (ha!ha!),imagine having a hypo in the shop or on a till in a supermarket they would soon sack you.I will let you know if i get one of these retail jobs.

 

[DiabeticSkater]

errr they cant sack you for being hypo. I work in a casino and have had plenty of hypos over the years whilst dealing with £20.000 casino games and I still have a job. Employers are obliged to accomadate your diabetes wether they like it or not. Its the law.
you also do not have to tell them you are diabetic until you are offered a contract.

 

[sugarybibs]

errr they cant sack you for being hypo. I work in a casino and have had plenty of hypos over the years whilst dealing with £20.000 casino games and I still have a job. Employers are obliged to accomadate your diabetes wether they like it or not. Its the law.
you also do not have to tell them you are diabetic until you are offered a contract.

Ta for your reply will let you all know how i get on

 

[DiabeticSkater]

good luck hope it goes well for you.