Employment and Diabetes – Getting time off work to attend diabetes education

It can be difficult to decide when to tell your employer and work colleagues about your diabetes. Diabetes UK have some useful guides on their website whether you’re at the beginning of a job search or already in employment. There is also a letter template which your Healthcare Professional can complete, requesting your employer support for time off for education.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/employment

For information and support here are some useful contact:

Diabetes UK Advocacy Service, advocacy@diabetes.org.uk Tel: 0345 123 2399

There is also an advocacy self-help pack dealing with employment issues which you can request from Diabetes UK or download from our website. Employment advocacy pack(PDF, 197KB)

Diabetes UK’s ten point guide to supporting people with diabetes in the workplace (PDF, 58KB) is another useful resource.

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB): The CAB provides information and advice on a range of topics, including employment. Check www.citizensadvice.org.uk for your local branch.

Directgov: This government website has information about disability rights and employment. www.gov.uk

Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs). DEAs can offer advice and practical help for people with disabilities getting into the workplace. They can also offer advice about programmes and grants to help you back into work. Contact your nearest Jobcentre to arrange an appointment.

Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC): The EHRC promotes equality in England, Scotland, and Wales and provides information and guidance on discrimination and human rights issues. They have produced a series of guides on rights to equality which are available in their website. www.equalityhumanrights.com

Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS): The EASS provides information, advice and support on discrimination and human rights issues. Tel: 0800 444 205 www.equalityadvisoryservice.com

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The commission promotes equality and challenges discrimination in Northern Ireland. Tel: 028 90 500 600 www.equalityni.org

Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) help with employment relations issues and what employment rights legislation means in practice. Tel: 08457 47 47 47 www.acas.org.uk

For information on any aspect of diabetes, please contact: Diabetes UK Helpline, Wells Lawrence House, 126 Back Church Lane, London E1 1FH. Telephone 0345 123 2399 (Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm, operates a translation service.)

With thank to Diabetes UK