WORK AND UNI
Leaving school signifies the end of an era. Life changes a lot when you enter the workforce or become a tertiary student. Suddenly you're thrust into a world where you are responsible for yourself and most of your decisions and actions are autonomous! A few things to consider before you choose your subjects or make a job application is how you plan to handle your diabetes in these situations.
GETTING A JOB
Employers
There is no obligation to tell your employer about your diabetes, however it is a very good idea to let them know of your condition. If you do tell them, it is more likely that they will understand if you need to take breaks for testing and injections, or what to do if you have a hypo. They are also more likely to be understanding if you need time out of work to manage your diabetes (e.g. appointments).
A few tips for the workplace include:
- Taking snacks to work with you, especially if you don't work near a café or don't have a workplace canteen where you can get quick carbohydrates or the best foods for a sugar hit.
- Keep a testing and injection kit at work if you can.
- Be careful about leaving your kit in the open at work, or in a place where others can access or be injured by a syringe or finger pricker.
- It's usually best to be open about your diabetes. If you have told colleagues, then also let them know how they can help if you have a hypo at work.