More than 2 in 3 employees living with diabetes in Pakistan reported negative treatment in the workplace because of their condition, according to a new study conducted by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). To mark World Diabetes Day on 14 November, the Federation is highlighting the stigma, discrimination and lack of structural support that people living with diabetes continue to face at work.
The survey found that well over half [58%] of employees living with diabetes have considered leaving their job due to the way people with the condition are treated at work. Ms Erum Ghafoor, President, National Association of Diabetes Educators of Pakistan, Vice President, International Diabetes Federation, described the findings as “deeply concerning” and a wake-up call for employers around the world. “It is indefensible that people living with diabetes are facing stigma, isolation and discrimination in the workplace,” she said.
Nearly three quarters [72%] of employees diagnosed with type 1 diabetes reported negative treatment in the workplace, compared with over two fifths [41%] of workers living with type 2 diabetes. More than half [52%] of all respondents reported having been denied breaks or time off to attend to their diabetes management.
In addition to its emotional and professional impact, the findings show that diabetes-related stigma can also limit career opportunities. More than a third [37%] said they had missed out on career development or training opportunities because of their condition. These barriers are compounded by a culture of silence. While only one in 20 of employees living with diabetes had not disclosed their condition to their employer, 50% of those said they feared being treated differently. Nearly a third [30%] of these respondents were concerned that disclosure could limit their career progression.
Many employees living with diabetes continue to rely on peer-level support. Almost half [46%] have confided in just one trusted colleague, while significantly less [26%] have shared their diagnosis with just a few people at work. These figures highlight the discomfort in addressing diabetes through formal workplace channels and underline the need for organisations to create more supportive and inclusive environments.
The study also found that daily diabetes management is a source of anxiety for many employees. More than a fifth of respondents [22%] were not comfortable administering insulin at work, while 16% felt the same about checking blood glucose levels. Without adequate support, these routine medical needs can become daily challenges in the workplace, imposing unnecessary stress on employees with diabetes.
“Work life and diabetes are tricky things to deal with,” says Ms Anum Anwar, a diabetes educator and advocate living with type 1 diabetes. “We need short breaks, need to follow mealtimes, monitor ourselves and carry extra things like insulin, glucometers and other things to help manage our glucose levels. Sometimes you have to go that extra mile to prove that you are like everyone else and can do as others are doing, if not better.”
The global study revealed significant regional variation. Pakistan registered the highest reported rates of negative treatment, followed by India [55%] and the United States [42%], with other countries showing varying degrees of stigma.
Ms Ghafoor added: “No one should have to hide their condition out of fear of being treated differently or denied opportunities. Living with diabetes requires ongoing management, and workplaces must recognise the physical and mental toll it can take. Simple changes, like flexible schedules and private spaces to check glucose levels or administer insulin or other medications, can make a world of difference.
“We want employers everywhere to look closely at how they support people living with diabetes. Employees with diabetes deserve respect, understanding and equal opportunities.”
As part of its World Diabetes Day campaign on the importance of well-being at work, the International Diabetes Federation is urging employers to foster supportive environments where health conversations are safe and to implement clear policies that address the needs of employees with diabetes. Strengthening diabetes awareness among all staff and offering flexible arrangements that facilitate diabetes management at work will help ensure that people living with the condition do not feel stigmatised. Workplaces that offer these provisions are better positioned to support all employees, regardless of their health needs.
