Diabetes in the Job Experts explain the rights of those affected

People with diabetes: tips about the profession

In Germany there are more and more diabetics. Increasingly affected are young people, who often worry about whether the metabolic disease could prevent them from doing their dream job. Experts explain what rights people with diabetes have in their daily work.

Influence on the professional life

In Germany, nearly seven million people are living with diabetes. More and more children, adolescents and young adults are affected. Especially in younger diabetics, their illness can influence the career choice. For those diagnosed with diabetes after starting their careers, it is often worrying whether they can continue their job. The German Diabetes Aid recommends those affected to find out about their rights and obligations in professional life.

Young people with diabetes are often unsure whether they can take their dream job despite their illness. Contrary to many prejudices, diabetics can practice almost all occupations and activities. (Image: biker3 / fotolia.com)

Can the previous activity continue to be exercised??

Professionals with a diabetes diagnosis are often faced with the question of whether they can continue their previous work.

Many of them initially keep their illness secret from colleagues and employers.

Especially young people with type 1 diabetes are often unsure whether they can take their dream job despite their chronic metabolic illness.

Contrary to many prejudices, diabetics can practice almost all occupations and activities.

Diabetes is not an obstacle for most professions

As diabetes in a message from DiabetesDE - German Diabetes Help is called, for most professions diabetes is not an obstacle - a good metabolic condition provided.

When choosing a career, people who suffer from Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes should first and foremost pursue their interests and abilities. According to the experts, there are only a few occupational fields that are unsuitable for them.

These include, for example, activities which, in the case of hypoglycaemia, pose a significant risk for third parties or the person concerned itself that can not otherwise be averted.

"If a profession is a risk to others, it does not automatically mean that people with diabetes are not allowed to practice it," explains Oliver Ebert, lawyer and chairman of the Social Affairs Committee of the German Diabetes Association.

"However, it must then be examined in a specific case, whether the risk is justifiable," said the expert. "The prerequisite in such cases is usually the proof of a well-adjusted blood sugar and the ability to timely perception of hypoglycaemia."

Diabetics do not have to disclose their illness

According to current case law, sufferers do not have to disclose in the application letter or even in the interview that they suffer from diabetes.

"Only in exceptional cases, the employer may ask for diseases," explains the expert.

"However, the employer may make the recruitment dependent on an examination by the company doctor. However, this may only take place with the consent of the applicant and is voluntary for him, "says Ebert.

However, the physician is obliged to secrecy in the diagnosis. This means that the company doctor may not pass on information about the findings to the employer without the consent of the potential employee.

"In the job itself, people with diabetes should be more reluctant to deal with their disease," advises Ebert.

But at least the closest circle of colleagues you should inform, because that promotes understanding for any periods of absence for measuring blood sugar and insulin syringes.

It is also important, especially for emergencies, that colleagues know what to do and what to do in case of emergency. (Ad)