Educating Co-Workers

I have always worked in retail, so I have never really been in a work environment that was too strenuous for my health to handle. My managers all know that if I work in the evening I have to take a quick break to shoot up some Lantus and check my BG periodically throughout my work shift.

My biggest concern with Diabetes in a workplace setting is not putting myself in a position where I feel unsafe but actually educating my co-workers on diabetes.

I think it is safe to say that we have all become comfortable with diabetes, we live with it. The problem is that  I think sometimes it is easy to forget to mention crucial things when explaining how to treat diabetes to others. We deal with this stuff ALL the time.

[True story, I had a dream the other night that I was out to dinner and before my meal I counted my carbs...in my dream. Needless to say, I was pretty impressed when I woke up. ]

So who do you educate, when do you tell them, and what do you say?

In my opinion, the most important people to educate are your superior, and the people that you are surrounded by the most. These will be the people who will notice a change in behavior or attitude that can be attributed a low blood sugar.

Depending on the job, I don't necessarily think that your health status needs to be brought up in an interview. However, after landing the job it is important to make your close co-workers aware. I have found that it is the easiest to bring up my struggles with T1 diabetes when I am out to lunch with somebody. It easily explains why I have made certain food choices or why I mysteriously leave for the restroom with a sack full of needles before each of my meals.

When you do talk to your co-workers, they may be overwhelmed if you over-educate them. You want to focus on telling them what a low blood sugar is and what they can do to help you.

Something I always share when educating people on my health is the way I act during a low blood sugar. I am usually stubborn and am adamant that I do not have a low blood sugar.

"I don't need to check my blood sugar, I'm fine"

That is probable when I do need to check my blood sugar. Make the people around of aware of this. I think that people feel like you know what you are talking about and do not want to bother you about your health. However, in situations like blood sugars it is important for them to step in.

xoxo
The DiaBlogger