Sometimes we easily recognize a disability when we see someone who is blind or uses a wheelchair. But did you know that there are many diseases that are not visible from the outside but are legally recognized as a disability? Diabetes is one of them. Therefore, you may have legal protection against discrimination in the workplace, and in some cases, financial benefits if the impact of diabetes is severe. Let's talk about this simply.
What are these disability benefits?
Many people with diabetes can work any job and live a normal life. It can be a desk job or an active job. However, if your diabetes has caused serious complications, meaning that you are unable to do any work, you may be eligible for disability benefits that can help you financially.
Simply put, these are financial assistance provided by insurance companies or, in some countries, Social Security programs.
But this is very important: Not everyone with diabetes is eligible for these benefits. It's not something that just happens. The relevant institutions make decisions based on each person's situation. They mainly look at how much damage diabetes has caused to your body. For example:
- Does diabetes cause nerve damage?
- Is there complete or partial loss of vision (blindness)?
- Are your kidneys failing?
- Have there been any serious complications such as heart disease?
If you are unable to find a job to make a living due to these circumstances, and can prove it with medical records, you may be able to apply for these benefits. You can find out more about this by talking to your doctor.
How does diabetes become a 'disabling condition'?
You may be thinking, "I'm managing my diabetes well, so how can this be a disability?" According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are three main components to a disability. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Disability status section | Simply meaning and examples |
|---|---|
| Impairment | This means that there is a problem with your body's functioning or mental functioning. For example, things like vision loss, nerve weakness, and memory loss due to diabetes. |
| Activity limitation | This means that you have difficulty doing something that a healthy person can do easily. For example, difficulty walking, not being able to see something clearly, or difficulty solving a problem. |
| Participation restrictions | This means that you are unable to participate in normal daily activities due to a disability. For example, not being able to go to work, not being able to participate in social activities, not being able to go to medical care on your own. |
You see, right? A person with well-controlled diabetes may not be affected by any of these things. But a person with severe complications may be affected by all three of these things. That's when diabetes becomes a disabling condition.
Do you have to mention diabetes when applying for a job?
This is a question that many people have. The short answer is 'no'. You are not legally required to disclose that you have diabetes when you go to a job interview. In fact, in many countries, employers are prohibited by law from asking questions that reveal a disability during an interview.
For example, an employer cannot ask you questions like:
- "Do you have a disability that prevents you from doing your job?"
- "How many days were you sick last year?"
- "What medication are you currently taking?"
However, after you are offered the job, but before you start working, you can conduct a medical examination or ask questions about your health. But it is only legal if those questions are asked not only of you, but also of other people who have been selected for the job.
Remember, no employer can refuse a job offer just because they know you have diabetes. However, they can only take back a job offer if they can prove that you are unable to perform even the most basic functions of the job, even if they provide reasonable accommodations.
Reasonable accommodations available to you at work
You've just gone to work. You have the right to ask your workplace for certain things that will help you manage your diabetes. These are called "reasonable accommodations." These are things that will help you stay healthy without interfering with your work.
| Available facility | Why is that? |
|---|---|
| Short breaks (Breaks) | Check your blood sugar levels, take medication (e.g. insulin), eat a small snack if your blood sugar suddenly drops, and go to the bathroom frequently if you need to. |
| A place to relax | If your blood sugar level suddenly becomes too low (hypoglycemia) or too high (hyperglycemia), it's a quiet place to rest for a while until it returns to normal. |
| Keeping the necessary things close at hand | Keep things like your medication, glucometer, and something to eat (sweetened drinks, toffee) in your work area so that you can easily access them. |
| Changed work shifts | If you have a job that involves frequent swing shifts, you may be able to request a permanent shift if it affects your blood sugar control. |
What if I am discriminated against at work because of diabetes?
If you feel that your employer is treating you unfairly or discriminated against because you have diabetes, you can take action against it. The best thing to do first is to calmly discuss this with your organization's Human Resources Manager or upper management.
But if that doesn't resolve the issue, you can take legal action. You can seek advice from a lawyer who is familiar with labor law. You can also file a complaint with institutions like the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. In any case, accurate medical reports from your doctor are very important to prove your situation.
Take-Home Message
- When diabetes causes severe complications, it can be considered a disability by law.
- If you have complications that are severe enough to prevent you from working, you may be eligible for financial disability benefits, but this will depend on each individual's circumstances.
- There is no legal requirement to disclose that you have diabetes during a job interview.
- You have the right to request reasonable accommodations to manage diabetes at work.
- If you have any questions or doubts regarding this, please discuss it clearly with your doctor. He or she will guide you properly.
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