Professor Peter Schwarz
President of the International Diabetes Federation
Millions of employees with diabetes face stigma and barriers at work. Small changes can transform lives.
Diabetes affects 589 million adults worldwide, and around 70% are of working age.1 Managing diabetes demands daily attention to diet, medication and glucose levels, often alongside the pressures of busy work and home lives. Yet, many employees still face misunderstanding, stigma and discrimination in their workplaces, making daily self-management even harder.
Breaking down diabetes stigma
A recent global survey by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) found that four in ten employees with diabetes have been treated negatively at work, and one in three have even considered leaving their job as a result. These findings reveal a troubling reality for millions of people who deserve fairness, respect and understanding in their professional lives.
Meaningful change begins with empathy and understanding.
The human cost
Workplace stigma is not abstract; it manifests in exclusion, missed opportunities and unnecessary hardship. Nearly half of respondents with type 1 diabetes and more than a third with type 2 reported negative treatment in the workplace. Over a quarter said they had been denied breaks or time off to manage their condition safely.
Such barriers can harm both physical and mental health and limit career progression. One in ten respondents had not disclosed their diabetes to their employer, often because they fear discrimination. Almost half worry that being open about their condition could harm their chances of promotion. These experiences reduce morale and productivity, leading to higher staff turnover and the loss of valuable expertise and experience.
Know more, do more
Improving workplace culture does not require major investment. Meaningful change begins with empathy and understanding. Simple actions, such as offering flexible schedules, providing private spaces for glucose monitoring or insulin administration, promoting healthy food options and encouraging physical activity, can transform the daily experience of employees with diabetes. When organisations listen and respond with compassion, they create healthier, fairer and more inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.
This World Diabetes Day, the International Diabetes Federation calls on employers everywhere to know more and do more for diabetes at work, ensuring that every employee can manage their health with dignity, safety and confidence.
[1] International Diabetes Federation. (2025). IDF Diabetes Atlas 2025. Retrieved from: https://diabetesatlas.org/resources/idf-diabetes-atlas-2025/
