1 in 3 Bluecrest Wellness warnings indicate blood sugar abnormalities

Diabetes and even pre-diabetes can impact people’s concentration, co-ordination, vision and even sensation in the feet – a problem for those standing, walking or driving for their job. Symptoms can often come on slowly, and it can be hard for people to put them together and realise there might be in an issue.

In extreme circumstances, a ‘hypo’ or hypoglycaemia, where someone’s blood sugar drops too low, can cause a loss of consciousness. Likewise, hyperglycaemia, when blood sugar gets too high, can also become a medical emergency.

What’s more, when someone is diagnosed with diabetes, they’re likely to need more time off for doctor and hospital appointments, and are likely to have a sickness absence rate 2-3 times greater than the general population.

Most people with diabetes will be used to managing their own condition, but it is a constant and complicated process. Unexpected events can make a sudden difference to blood sugar levels – including what and when someone has eaten, how stressed they feel, how much exercise they’ve taken or missed, whether or not they’re on their period, or otherwise feeling poorly. It means even those who live well with diabetes can sometimes get caught out.

Diabetes and work statistics

• 1 in 12 people in the UK are estimated to have diabetes, and up to 1 in 3 are thought to be pre-diabetic

• £13.9 billion – the estimated indirect cost of diabetes in terms of work loss, increased death and illness, and the need for informal care

• 37% of those in employment said that diabetes had caused them or their family member problems at work

• For every 1,000 employees, 82 will have diabetes, and 25 will be at risk of a ‘hypo’ event – translating to 49 mild to moderate and 2-5 severe events each month

• 30% of those experiencing a non-sever hypo were late to work and 21% left work early

• 36% missed a deadline or had to reschedule meetings

• 28% avoided driving

• 16% of people with diabetes felt they had been discriminated against by their employer because of their diabetes

• 59% of employers don’t know their legal responsibilities to an employee with diabetes

• 58% of employers don’t implement and review risk assessments for the roles workers with diabetes undertake

5 things employers can do to support diabetes in the workplace

1. Provide clean, safe, and private spaces - for people with diabetes to check blood sugar levels, store and take any injectable medications.

2. Flexibility - on things like breaks and eating/drinking rules, so people with diabetes can manage their condition by eating as and when they need to, depending on their blood sugar levels and needs each day.

3. Support for time out - to allow for medical appointments.

4. Training - for managers to help them understand the condition, carry out regular health and safety risk assessments, and put in place appropriate measures – for instance requiring a blood sugar reading before someone gets in a company vehicle or operates heavy machinery.

5. Education - for staff on diabetes, how to spot symptoms, and what to do if someone falls ill.

5 things employers can do to help prevent or manage diabetes in the workplace

1. Encourage healthy eating – because cutting down on sugar and maintaining a healthy weight is one of the key things people can do to manage and avoid Type 2 diabetes. Companies can help by providing healthy snacks, snack-breaks, and ensuring people have protected lunch hours where they can prepare and eat food rather than grabbing unhealthy options on the go.

2. Encourage people to move more – with things like standing meetings, standing desks, walk and talks, and charity challenges or sponsorships for the number of movement miles achieved by each team or department.

3. Raise awareness – to help people understand diabetes symptoms and what to do in an emergency.

4. Breaking Stigma – because while weight can be a factor in Type 2 diabetes, it is by no means the only factor. It’s actually very hard to tell who’s at risk of diabetes just by looking at them – with other risk factors including age, ethnicity, family history, and other underlying health conditions. breaking the stigma, is key in creating a diabetes-friendly workplace.

5. Encourage people to go for their Bluecrest Wellness Health Assessment – which all check for diabetes, and help people understand their risk. A third of the amber and red flags we find are to do with blood sugar, and can give people an early warning that they need to take action.

What’s more – people do take action. We know that following their results, people go on to do many of the things that help cut their risk of diabetes. 40% resolve to lose weight, 37% to exercise more, 33% to eat better, and 15% to drink less alcohol.