Work Advice

Your Schedule

It's easier to manage your diabetes if you work regular hours. Jobs that require you to work a variety of shifts can make things a bit more challenging as it can affect your internal body clock and confuse it about when you should  and shouldn't be eating, but as long as you're monitoring your blood sugar levels, you should be fine. Be sure to discuss its demands with your healthcare team. They can help you make adjustments to your meal plan if necessary. You can have diabetes and an unpredictable work life.

Long-Distance Travel

Frequent travel, especially when it involves changing time zones, may require you to adjust your insulin dosage. As well, when you travel, you may not be able to get exactly what you need to eat when you need it. Many jobs require travel. If you're traveling by car, you'll have to choose your meals carefully and you may want to pack a few special meals to take with you. For example, packing a cooler with fruit, juice and sandwiches. In winter, you could take a thermos filled with soup or a hot meal. If you're flying, you may want to order a special low-sugar, low-salt, low-fat or low-cholesterol meal. If you're flying across time zones, you may have to reduce or skip a dose of insulin, or add an extra dose of insulin. You'll also need to gauge your arrival time and what will happen upon arrival. Will you be immediately rushing to a business meeting? Will you be checking into a hotel and have some time to regroup? Planning ahead is the key.

To be safe, pack twice as much insulin and/or blood-testing equipment as you think you'll need. And be sure to pack these supplies in your carry-on luggage, these are not things you can afford to lose should your checked luggage be misdirected..

Travel can be unpredictable and draining. Frequently self-monitoring your blood sugar levels will help you deal with the challenges of travel and will help you make any adjustments needed.As always, when you must make changes to your routine, talk to your doctor ahead of time so that you can be prepared for every eventuality. It's now mandatory to carry a note from your doctor explaining that you require medications, insulin needles and blood glucose testing supplies. You may be questioned by customs or security officials.

Who Should You Tell?

You must decide for yourself whether to tell your employer about your diabetes. But being open about diabetes can be positive in many ways: you can dispel any incorrect notions about diabetes. If you take insulin, you can teach your co-workers how to recognize and/or treat hypoglycemia. And, if anything diabetes-related happens to you, your boss will probably be more understanding knowing about your diabetes in advance of any complications. It's better to be open than to make your employer feel you're hiding something. Also, telling your employer about your diabetes is the only way your rights can be protected by The Disability Discrimination Act (1995).

Job Hunting

You certainly don't have to tell a prospective employer that you have diabetes. Some employers may fear that diabetes will interfere with your job. If you do tell them about your diabetes,

• Don't act like it's a problem, and don't ask for special treatment, either.
• Know your rights ahead of time.
• Clearly explain your condition, your level of control, and anything else that may be relevant.
• Keep excellent written records of your job search at every step. Write down the names of people who interview you, make notes of your conversations with prospective employers, etc.