Diabetes support for employees

Under the Equality Act 2010, diabetes may be classified as a disability, meaning employers are required to make reasonable adjustments, such as:

• Flexible working hours for medical appointments
• Designated spaces for insulin administration and blood sugar monitoring
• Regular breaks for meals to maintain stable blood sugar levels

Diabetes UK offers a detailed employer guide on workplace adjustments.

• Organise walking meetings, lunchtime walks, or provide gym access. Find out more about active workplaces.
• Encourage better food choices by having nutritious snacks available and promote balanced meal choices. Find out more about healthy eating at work.
• Stress can exacerbate diabetes symptoms. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) can help employees manage stress and emotional wellbeing. Find out more about stress management at work.
• Healthy Weight Healthy You provides advice and tailored resources on maintaining a healthy weight

• Encourage occupational health services to conduct screenings for at-risk employees
• Suggest employees use the Diabetes UK online tool to help assess their risk of Type 2 diabetes

• Host educational sessions on diabetes management
• Train managers to recognise diabetes-related challenges and respond supportively
• Encourage a stigma-free culture where employees feel comfortable discussing their needs

Guide to Living Well with Type 2 diabetes

The patient guide, Living Well With Type 2 Diabetes, covers what usually happens after diagnosis, what to do first, common questions, remission, essential health checks, medicines, food, movement, blood glucose monitoring, emotional wellbeing and trusted support routes.

Access the guide

NHS Wales apps

Three free apps are now available through NHS Wales to help prevent and manage Type 2 diabetes.

Anyone in Wales can download these apps at no cost by completing a simple online form:

MyDESMOND Wales – for people with a Type 2 diagnosis

Let’s Prevent Wales – for people who are pre-diabetic or have gestational diabetes.

You’ll need your NHS number, which can be found on the NHS Wales app, any recent prescription, appointment letter, or by asking your GP practice.