Why Diabetes Awareness at Work Matters

November 14 marks World Diabetes Day, a global initiative to raise awareness and inspire action for people living with diabetes. This year’s theme, “Know more and do more for diabetes at work”, highlights an important truth: millions of people with diabetes face daily challenges in the workplace. Challenges that affect not only their health but also their mental well-being.

Did you know?

worlddiabetesday.org

These numbers tell a powerful story. But behind every statistic is a person navigating real-life situations. At Mercodia, we wanted to explore what well-being at work really means, both for those living with diabetes and for our team as a whole.

Nathalie’s Story: Living and Working with Type 1 Diabetes

“When I began my working life, I wondered how diabetes would fit into my career,” Nathalie shares. “Would my colleagues understand? Would I be seen as less capable?”

For Nathalie, managing diabetes at work means balancing blood sugar checks, insulin doses, and the demands of a busy schedule.

“The biggest support for me is flexibility. Being able to check my glucose or eat a snack helps me stay focused and productive.”

She also emphasizes the importance of openness:

“Openness matters too. It creates understanding and knowledge. When colleagues know about my condition, it reduces worries and fosters inclusion. Maybe I’ve been fortunate to work in workplaces that were very diabetes-friendly. I know many people choose not to talk about their diabetes at work—often because of fear or shame, or the belief that it makes them seem incapable. That’s simply not true.”

For Nathalie, this approach works well. Flexibility and understanding allow her to focus on her work and feel part of the team. Her experience shows that small changes, like openness and support, can make a big difference for well-being at work.

What Our Workplace Survey Revealed

We wanted to understand what a sustainable working life means to our team, so the Sustainability group at Mercodia initiated an internal survey.

Mirjam Götlind, Process Operator at Mercodia, shares her perspective:

“I wanted to hear what really matters to my colleagues, and their responses were inspiring. People talked about balance, well-being, and feeling part of a community.”

“For me, a sustainable work life means my job positively impacts my overall life by helping me develop new skills, build meaningful connections, and enjoy flexible hours that fit my life outside of work.”

The survey revealed five key themes:

• Balance – between work and life, and the ability to maintain energy over time
• Well-being and comfort – creating an environment where people feel good at work
• Community – strong relationships and teamwork
• Development – opportunities to learn and grow
• Clear and transparent leadership – feeling heard, valued, and included

Mirjam adds:

“It’s clear that well-being isn’t just about physical health, it’s about feeling supported and having the flexibility to manage life’s challenges. That’s something we can all work towards.”

Practical Steps for Employers and Colleagues

Supporting employees with diabetes doesn’t require sweeping changes. Here are practical steps:

👉 Promote awareness: Offer training or resources so teams understand diabetes and its impact

👉 Encourage flexibility: Allow short breaks for glucose checks or snacks without stigma

👉 Foster openness: Create a culture where health conversations are safe and respected

👉 Provide healthy options: Stock nutritious snacks in common areas

For World Diabetes Day

Let’s raise awareness and create workplaces where flexibility and understanding are the norm.

How does your organization support well-being at work?💙

For more information about World Diabetes Day and how you can support awareness, visit:

worlddiabetesday.org

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