Diabetes and Discrimination
As with any disability, you may be subject to discrimination.
The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990, guaranteeing
anyone with disabilities equal access in the workplace and public
places.
Legally, you are under no obligation to provide your potential
employer with any information about your diabetes and your employer
is overstepping your rights if anyone directly asks you. After
you have received a job offer, an employer may ask about your
health, including whether you have diabetes. You may be
required to complete a medical examination.
Once you have been offered a job, the employer cannot withdraw
the offer because you have diabetes. You will need to be able
to perform the essential functions of the job with or without
accommodations and without posing a direct threat to your safety and
the safety of fellow employees.
You cannot be dismissed from your job because of increased health
premiums, nor can your employer refuse to provide you with health
insurance as long as it is provided for other employers who work a
similar number of hours. You also cannot be charged a
different premium for your health insurance that what is charged to
other employees.
Generally, it is a good idea to just keep your diabetes to
yourself.
|