Mylife young adults

Applying for a job

Whether it’s starting out on your proper career or just getting a part time job while you are at college/uni, you may come up against ignorance and prejudice about diabetes.

Not everyone knows that well-controlled diabetes doesn’t need to be a problem at work. Employers may think that diabetes means you will be off sick a lot or will have to be treated differently.

Be open

Even though these views are out there, keeping your diabetes a secret in a job interview is not the solution. It’s important to tell people you are going to be around a lot about your diabetes.

When to tell them

Two weeks into a job isn’t really the best time to bring up the subject of your diabetes for the first time.

If a job application form has a section on health you must answer honestly. Something like ‘well-controlled diabetes’ (if it is true) could be backed up with something like ‘excellent school/college attendance’.

If there is no health questionnaire, you are not obliged to tell your employer but it's best to be honest about your condition.