Spec Finish

it is often another employee that will identify what is happening: • 35% of people experiencing a hypo were identified as confused by another person who raised the alarm; • 23% were told they were having a hypo by another person; and • 21% were found unconscious by another person. It is therefore important that every employee can recognise and know how to help a person experiencing a hypo. Survey research by the DSO indicates that almost half of all employees do not know how to recognise or assist a person having a hypo episode. Short online training courses each year can significantly reduce the hypo risk and create a workplace culture where people with diabetes can be open about their condition. Training and communications can also help employees who are at risk of diabetes to identify their risk and take action to prevent diabetes developing. The diabetes dividend – productivity and wellbeing gains Managing and preventing diabetes in your workplace isn’t just about health and safety and compliance risks. It’s also about the positives that can be gained from improving your employees’ health and wellbeing, and the corresponding productivity gains that come with a happy and healthy workforce. Even mild and moderate diabetes hypos have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of employees with diabetes. It is important for employers to help their employees manage their diabetes condition while at work. For every 1,000 employees, an estimated 231 hours are lost per month as a result of mild and moderate hypos (the figure is greater if severe hypos are included). For people experiencing non-severe hypos: • 30% arrived at work late (by 2hrs 45mins on average); • 21% left work early (by 2hrs 30 mins on average); • 12%missed a full day of work or more, missing four days on average; • 52% have difficulty concentrating; • 36%missed a deadline or rescheduled a meeting; and • 28% avoided driving. With the global and UK prevalence rates for diabetes increasing at rapid rates, it is clear that public health efforts alone are not sufficient, and employers can play an important role in helping to prevent and manage diabetes. Public health systems and the business sector share the same goal: healthy people are productive people. So, it makes sense that businesses are increasingly thinking about the impact of public health concerns on their employees. The investment by businesses tomanage the health and safety risks created by diabetes contribute to productivity gains froma healthier workforce, where diabetes is prevented and/ or managedmore effectively in the workplace. The benefits also extend to families, as employees can take their diabetes awareness home with themandmake positive changes for their families. 80%of diabetes cases are preventable. The potential impact of employers in the fight against diabetes is huge. Health & safety FIND OUTMORE For more information on diabetes safety in the workplace, please contact Kate Walker at the Diabetes Safety Organisation: kate@diabetessafety.org or 07956 465 136. If you are concerned about your personal diabetes risk, Diabetes UK provides a quick on-line self-assessment at: www.diabetes.org.uk DSO provides workplace diabetes awareness training and communications, and management training on the specific legislation, regulations and compliance requirements related to diabetes in the workplace. i www.thefis.org 15 It is important that every employee can recognise and know how to help a person experiencing a hypo