Despite medical advances, diabetes-related stigma persists globally, influencing how employees manage their condition and interact at work. Experts call for better education and supportive policies to combat misconceptions andensure safe, inclusive environments.
Lenaee Dupuis once considered a career in medicine, but when she was starting out, she was told that type 1 diabetes might make shift work too difficult. As she noted, that advice reflected a different era, one in which the condition was far less understood and treatment options were more limited. Yet even as medical care has improved, diabetes-related stigma still shapes how many people navigate office life, promotions and disclosure.
Shusmita Rashid, executive director of Diabetes Canada’s Change the Conversation initiative, said a persistent myth is that diabetes is simply the result of poor lifestyle choices. That belief, she said, helps explain why many employees keep their diagnosis private. The 2024 Social Experiences of Living with Diabetes in Canada report found that 86% of people with type 1 diabetes and 69% of those with type 2 diabetes had experienced blame or shame linked to the condition, underscoring how common the problem remains. Diabetes Canada says the initiative is intended to replace judgement with more respectful language and safer environments in workplaces, clinics and communities.
The issue is not limited to Canada. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says diabetes stigma can interfere with essential self-care and appears in family settings, schools, health care and the workplace. In a global survey cited by the International Diabetes Federation, 40% of employees living with diabetes reported negative treatment at work because of their condition, and 32% said they had considered leaving their jobs because of it. The federation called those findings deeply troubling and urged employers to address discrimination and isolation more directly.
Employers are being urged to recognise that most people with diabetes can work safely and effectively when they have the right support. The American Diabetes Association says assumptions about risk are often outdated and that job decisions should be based on actual duties rather than misconceptions. Diabetes Canada has also argued that better education in workplaces is vital, both to reduce fear around disclosure and to ensure employees feel able to manage their condition without penalty.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
