How to Talk About Diabetes at Work: Share on Your Terms

How to Talk About Diabetes at Work | Chronically Climbing

When I first started my career, I wasn’t always comfortable talking about my type 1 diabetes at work. I didn’t want anyone to see me as less capable or exclude me from critical conversations because of my condition. Thoughts like, “Is that the girl who’s always beeping?” or “Is that the girl who’s always running to the bathroom?” filled my mind. I didn’t want to be put in a corner because of my disease. I didn’t want to feel like I was too much or not enough. More than anything, I wanted to be received as any other co-worker would.

At the end of the day, we all have challenges — we’re all dealing with something. Type 1 diabetes happens to be mine.

For these reasons, my parents cautioned me when I started my first blog, Miss Trend She (now archived), in my early 20s. In a pre-TikTok and Instagram Reels era, blogging was one of the best ways to share your thoughts and ideas. It was one of the best ways to draw your community in and connect over shared experiences. It was a way to put yourself out there before algorithms got more complicated. “Be careful what you share; potential employers can use it against you,” my dad suggested. He wasn’t wrong. You take a risk when you share, but it can be worthwhile when approached thoughtfully. I’ve often found that when it’s poorly received, it’s a sign that the space, place, or people may not align with me anyway.

Now, no one was actually saying those things to me. Fear is a funny thing — it can lie to you. However, a fair level of anxiety can support decision-making. A little anxiety aids in our survival. Vulnerability is perhaps even stranger to navigate in work environments. Who do you trust enough to become your confidante? Careful selection makes a world of difference, and it’s important to set boundaries at work.

I don’t say that to scare you; I say it to encourage caution and mindfulness. We each carry a slightly different version of ourselves in the workplace. Perhaps we’re more poised, patient, or serious. This isn’t anything new! Presenting your work self is a boundary in itself. The great part is that you get to create your boundaries. You decide how much you share, with whom, and when.

Over the years, I became more comfortable talking about diabetes. I moved beyond the anger and resentment of my 17-year-old self and, by my mid-20s, started embracing my lived experience. Today, I’m a different version of myself. It took time to get here.

For me, I talk about type 1 diabetes pretty openly. I am grateful to be in a position where my lived experience directly informs my work. But you don’t have to be like this. You don’t have to be outspoken about your condition. I’ve chosen to be public in speaking and writing about mine in the hope that it helps someone else feel less alone. That is my greatest goal in all of my work: to serve the diabetes community.

There are certainly reasons not to share at work, but if your safety could be compromised, I recommend at least informing your boss and human resources. They can support you in a situation where you might not be able to help yourself. You may also consider confiding in a deskmate or a close colleague you trust. This goes for sharing any sensitive health information that may impact you at work. You have to protect yourself, whatever that means for you.

Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean you have to be an advocate or an open book at work. It just means you have to pay attention to your health and determine the best way to manage it as an individual. You get to decide how you want to protect your health, experience, and information. No one can dictate what they receive from you but you.

What are some of the pros and cons you’ve experienced when sharing health information at work? What would you tell young professionals about disclosing their diabetes or other chronic conditions in the workplace?