It is not always easy to do your job when you have diabetes. An unexpected hypo during an important meeting. That look from a colleague who doesn’t understand why you have to eat something right this minute. Feeling like you need to apologise for needing a moment to check your glucose Situations like these will sound familiar to many people with diabetes. They do not always feel free to be open and honest about what they need.
Kaleido colleagues Charlotte and Korelien both have diabetes. They talk openly about their working day; about what helps, what they struggle with and what advice they have for others. “At my previous job, one of my colleagues believed for months that I was using a Tamagotchi during meetings,” Korelien laughs. “It was just my insulin pump.” Moments like that illustrate how little some people know about diabetes on the work floor, even though more than one in ten adults in the world have this disease. Diabetes at work is therefore the central theme of this year’s World Diabetes Day.
Understanding at last
“Working at Kaleido feels like a breath of fresh air,” Korelien says. “When I arrive at work in the morning after a night full of hypos, I can just tell my colleagues. Everyone here understands my situation. At previous jobs, people were all too quick to dismiss the issue. ‘So, you had a hypo? You’ll be fine the next day, right?’ Unfortunately, that is not how it works.” Charlotte nods in acknowledgement. “At Kaleido, it feels like I have hit the jackpot: everyone knows about my condition. It should be like this everywhere. I advise people to tell their colleagues about their diabetes, no matter where they work. Especially for their own safety.”
“You are not obligated to bring it up during a job interview,” Korelien adds. “Once you’ve been hired, however? Let others know, just in case something happens. When I applied at Kaleido, I even put it on my CV. I figured that would be helpful in this sector.”
Always be prepared
Both women have their own system and approach. For example, Charlotte prefers to eat something every few hours, while Korelien has no set schedule at all for when she eats. “I will eat when I’m hungry or having a hypo.” Charlotte always carries her orange glucagon injector with her, while Korelien and Charlotte both have back-up equipment, such as infusion sets, cartridges and needles, in their locker. “Of course, we also have our own hypo stash,” Korelien says with a smile. “Full of snacks.”
The women have different opinions about those snacks, however. Korelien: “A bottle of AA Drink, always. I really hate dextrose.” Charlotte: “I have become a fan of fruit pouches. I have to be honest, though. A Snickers bar is still my guilty pleasure, even though it doesn’t work quickly enough.”
Listen to your body
They both agree that it is important to listen to their body. “Don’t be embarrassed to take a moment for yourself. Know your own limits and let other people know as well,” Charlotte says. “Otherwise, you might push yourself too far.” The ladies also have some valuable tips for colleagues. “They don’t need to constantly check how you are doing, because you don’t want them to patronise you,” Korelien says. Charlotte agrees. “In the end, it is our own responsibility. If people are unsure if you are doing okay or if they have questions, they should not hesitate to ask.”
Is that a Tamagotchi?
Working with diabetes can also lead to some hilarious situations. Like that one colleague who thought Korelien was walking around with a Tamagotchi all day long. Or someone else who found it odd that she would carry a Tamagotchi with her wherever she went. Korelien says that she sometimes gets a call while she is in the middle of changing her insulin pump. “I will call them back later or ask a colleague to answer the phone instead. I do the same when I am having a hypo.”
A different perspective
Working at Kaleido has given the two a different perspective on diabetes. “I find that everyone has their own way of dealing with it,” Korelien says. “Everyone has their own approach. That is perfectly okay.” Charlotte nods. “That’s what makes working in this world so special.”
Creating space
Korelien sums things up nicely: “My diabetes does not define me. It is part of your life, but not to the detriment of everything else.” That is what World Diabetes Day 2025 is all about: creating space on the work floor for everyone with diabetes, so no one has to feel small. It is about letting a hypo be just a hypo and making sure colleagues know that it’s okay to ask questions. After all, understanding starts with openness.
Tips for your first day of work with diabetes
- For your own safety, be sure to tell your colleagues about your diabetes right away
- Make sure to always have everything you need: hypo snacks, insulin, needles and back-up equipment
- Choose the right time to switch out your insulin set
- Be open and honest about what you need
- Most importantly: don’t be embarrassed about anything
This blog is based on the user experiences of Charlotte and Korelien. For medical advice, always consult your healthcare provider.