Workplace Diabetes Training
Diabetes is on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of new cases rose by more than 90 percent in adults from 1997 to 2007. Young people with type 1 diabetes are entering the workplace in higher numbers than ever before and older folks are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes as well. Businesses that train and educate employees on diabetes prevention and care, can retain healthy employees and may also save the company money by lowering absentee rates, health care rates, and short- and long-term disability costs.
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Function
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Workplace diabetes training generally covers the different types of diabetes that employees can have. Employees can have one of two types of diabetes, type 1 or type 2. Type 1 generally affects children and young adults; however, this type can affect people into their late 30s. Employees with type 1 diabetes need insulin injections and glucose monitoring to keep their diabetes under control. Type 2 diabetics may need insulin if their condition is severe; however, many can keep their diabetes under control with proper diet, exercise and oral medications. Training also generally covers symptoms and signs of the disease, what to do in an emergency and diabetes prevention techniques.
Resources
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A wealth of information on educating people in the workplace about diabetes is available and much of it is available at no cost. The National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and also the American Diabetes Association all have materials for employers to use to compile presentations. There are CDs and DVDs, white papers and presentations available that address many of the details you may want to include in your diabetes educational training.
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Benefits
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A well-designed workplace diabetes training and education program can help employees manage their condition, which may mean taking less sick days and being more productive at work. Educating employees on prevention can help your organization to retain healthier employees and reduce health insurance costs. Other benefits include learning how to adhere to anti-discrimination laws, which may cover diabetics in your employ.
Location
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Training and educational programs can be held in conference rooms or specific training rooms at your organization. If a designated area is not available, training can be held in an auditorium or part of the cafeteria. Employees can also learn about diabetes in the workplace by taking online training. Online training is a flexible and cost-saving option as employees can take the training from any location with Internet access without having to travel. Training is generally available at all times of the day or evening.
Risks
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Although workplace diabetes training is not mandatory, discriminating against people with a disability is illegal and diabetics are covered by laws that protect them. Training can help employees and managers learn how diabetics are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations that may become necessary for the diabetic, safety hazards, questions that are permissible to ask a diabetic and privacy issues.
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References
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- Photo Credit press conference image by Alexander Oshvintsev from Fotolia.com
