Could you do this in your workplace?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

• Check a medical device (essentially like pulling out a phone and glancing at screen) every half an hour without fail
• Tap instructions into the device (similar to sending a text) if it needs adjusting
• About twice a day, ramp this up to checking device and adjusting every 10 mins, when things are start to go wrong/ to get back on even keel

Needs to be done whatever else is happening, no matter how important the meetings/ phone calls/ deadlines etc. I am concerned it will look like I'm not 100% concentrating on the work task I am meant to be doing, because, well...I suppose I'm not? Will need to multitask because I have to do it. But it will look like I'm constantly fiddling with personal tech, which is bad.

This level of involvement in managing medication is non-negotiable. I have a sight threatening eye condition because of type 1 diabetes, and maintaining as close to undiabetic blood sugar numbers as possible is the only way to try to preserve my vision.

I'm applying for jobs and worried this will be seen as not being committed and focused on the job. Could you do this in your job or would it be frowned upon? AIBU to think I can?

Thanks for any opinions!

Absolutely would not be a problem at my company.

This would come under reasonable adjustment for a disability. However, it wouldn’t be possible in all roles. What type of job are you going for?

Not a problem in my workplace either

Yep. I'd explain why to my manager but even if I didn't it'd be fine. We're at home now for the foreseeable (probably forever) but when in the office it wouldn't be an issue. As long as your work gets done on time noone gives a toss how or when.

No prob in my workplace and we're very far from being woke!

I think this should be fine so long as you’re not operating machinery or something where there’s a safety issue!

No meeting or call is more important than your sight and health

Fine in my job, although I would probably quietly let my manager know about it, in case any colleagues tried to snitch on me.

My workplace would try and make allowances for this but sometimes it would be very difficult just because of the nature of the job. I agree with pp it should come under reasonable adjustments.

I know I'm lucky though and not everywhere is the same. However I think any reasonable work place would accept this no bother

It won't be seen as being not committed because they'll presumably know why!

All devices and use of them well tolerated in my job. It wouldn’t be an issue (and probably not picked up on by colleagues either).

Yes I could do this in my workplace. It wouldn't be an issue and my colleagues would be cool with it.

Probably not acceptable in my place.
This is because you are expected to give 100% full and undivided attention constantly.
This would not be an acceptable distraction and could have catastrophic consequences on both you & others in my work place.
No amount of risk assessment could justify it.

I imagine it depends on the type of job. An office based, non-client facing role, yes, it would be doable if managers are aware of your circumstances. Would it fall under reasonable adjustments?
In a client facing role, or one where you have to sit in meetings, be present, I would imagine it would be more challenging.
I imagine it would be quite anxiety provoking if you find yourself in a work situation where you can't check and alter things every 30 minutes...?
In my job (healthcare) I wouldn't be able to, and pre-covid office based days I would struggle as I need to be contactable and responsive to colleagues and clients.
Sorry you find yourself in this situation. I have no hr, occupational health or diabetes experience, so hopefully you will get some more useful and specific answers soon.

Yup. I could do this with no trouble. I do sometimes have lots of meetings so I would probably mention it to people but it would absolutely be accommodated.

Not a problem here. And if you did your job, I wouldn't even be too fussed if it was your personal non-medical device.

yeah, I just think you have to tell people what you're up to so they soon get bored & can easily ignore rather than be distracted or curious.

Last year I had a guy with (noisy) Tourettes' in office. He was up front about it so we all just go used to his oddities.

Sorry I cross posted with lots of others who typed quicker than me!

An employer will support you and make adjustments for your health. Good luck with the job hunt

Wouldn't be a problem in my office, can you get a dexcom with an alarm to alert you if you go out of range if you are worried though?

No but I spend half my day in an operating theatre scrubbed up! Really depends on the job I'd imagine.

Yes, it would be fine in my job. It would definitely interfere with parts of the role, but it could be reasonably adjusted for.

Absolutely acceptable in my job role/office. I suppose it depends on the job, though. Air traffic control probably isn’t for you. But I don’t see how most other jobs wouldn’t be able to accommodate this as a reasonable adjustment due to health needs.

Most of the time it would be fine. If I was in a client meeting, I would just explain at the beginning of the meeting.

Thank you, folks. This is quite encouraging!

My field is PR, so office based but certain roles do require quite a lot of client meetings, site visits, etc. Hmm. Managing client relationships is one of my strengths (and I enjoy it lots) so reluctant to step away from it.