Healthy Living

Understanding a Worker's Rights with Diabetes

Reasonable accommodations

Once the determination has been made that a person with diabetes falls under the protection of ADA, then he or she can receive “reasonable accommodations” or a set of minor adjustments that affect how tasks are completed. Examples of such accommodations include the following:

  • An eating schedule to maintain balanced glucose levels
  • Sufficient time for checking the glucose monitor, taking medication, using the restroom, or recovering from hypoglycemia
  • Availability of a chair or stool when standing becomes tiresome
  • Time off for attending workshops or meetings on diabetes management

Basically, the purpose of accommodations is to help the employee perform the required duties without cause “undue hardship” or expense to the company he or she works for. Ideally, setting reasonable accommodations would benefit both parties—the manager who’s gaining a qualified worker and the employee who makes a solid contribution to the organization.