Understanding diabetes in the workplace

Published 27 October 2026

Understanding diabetes in the workplace: what to know

Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot properly regulate blood glucose. Left unmanaged, over time it causes serious complications — heart, kidney, eye, nerve and foot damage among them. Well-managed, however, most people with diabetes live full, healthy, productive lives, and the workplace plays an important role in making that management possible.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body produces no insulin; it requires insulin from diagnosis and is not lifestyle-related. Type 2 is far more common — around nine in ten cases — and is strongly influenced by lifestyle factors: diet, activity, weight and age. Type 2 can often be prevented, delayed or managed through lifestyle change and medication.

The workplace implications are practical and predictable. People with diabetes may need to monitor blood glucose, take medication or insulin, eat at certain times, and manage the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), which can cause shakiness, confusion and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness. Support includes allowing time and a private space for monitoring and medication, and access to food when needed.

Stigma and misunderstanding are often bigger barriers than the condition itself. People may hide their diabetes, skip monitoring to avoid attention, or feel judged for a condition they did not choose and cannot simply 'fix'. A workplace that is informed, discreet and matter-of-fact removes those barriers and makes management easier — which benefits everyone.

Reasonable adjustments are usually simple and inexpensive: scheduled breaks for testing and eating, a place to store medication, flexibility around mealtimes, and colleagues who know the basic signs of a low and how to respond. These cost the organisation almost nothing and make an enormous difference to the person managing the condition.

Screening is simple, quick and important, especially for those with risk factors — family history, overweight, inactivity, age over forty, or being of certain ethnicities. Type 2 in particular can develop silently over years, and early detection allows lifestyle change and treatment that can prevent complications entirely. A workplace screening day is one of the highest-impact wellness activities available.

If you have risk factors, ask for a simple blood glucose test at your next check-up. If you manage diabetes, know your rights and your benefits, and don't hesitate to ask for what you need. Confidential support and guidance are available through your Employee Assistance Programme. Diabetes is common, serious, and — with the right support — very manageable.