Diabetesand the workplace dont always mesh well.
Thats why laws are in place to protect you from discrimination because of your condition.
Understanding the laws can also help you better blend work and diabetes management.
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Requesting Reasonable Accommodations
you better ask for reasonable accommodations.
Some employers have a policy in place.
Your employer only needs documentation to prove that you’re disabled and need accommodations.
Legally, they can’t ask for anything beyond that.
It entitles you to up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave yearly because of a serious health condition.
Whats Covered by FMLA?
The company has to have at least 50 employees within 75 miles of your workplace.
Can You Be Fired for Calling in Sick?
You cannot be fired or face retaliation for time off under FMLA.
Let your supervisor know if you are using one of your FMLA days.
Each state has labor laws that may or may not protect you from being fired for calling in sick.
In some states, an employer can fire you for any reason or no reason at all.
You may have extra protections in place if you belong to a union.
You don’t need to tell your employer about your illness or reasons for calling in sick.
However, they may unknowingly take inappropriate actions against you if you don’t fill out the FMLA paperwork.
You should also contact an attorney.
You have the right to ask for reasonable accommodations to help you perform your job.
You may need to negotiate with your employer about exactly what you need.
FMLA protects you from being fired or penalized for taking time off related to diabetes.
It doesnt protect you when you call in sick with other medical problems.
A Word From Verywell
Navigating the working world with a disability like diabetes can be difficult.
It can create uncomfortable situations for you and your employer.
Document the conversation when discussing your condition, reasonable accommodation, leave requests, or sick days.
United States Department of Justice.A guide to disability rights laws.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Employee rights.
American Diabetes Association.Reasonable accommodations.
American Diabetes Association.Fact sheet - Diabetes and reasonable accommodation.
American Diabetes Association.How to request reasonable accommodations.
U.S. Department of Labor.Family and Medical Leave (FMLA).
American Civil Liberties Union.Disability rights.
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section.A guide to disability rights laws.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.The ADA: Questions and answers.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Your employment rights as an individual with a disability.
