Negative workplace treatment affects 40% of employees living with diabetes

Global research from the International Diabetes Federation reveals that one in three employees with diabetes has considered leaving their job due to concerns about how they might be treated at work.

12 November 2025, Brussels, Belgium: Two-fifths [40%] of employees living with diabetes reported negative treatment in the workplace because of their condition, according to a new global study conducted by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). To mark World Diabetes Day on 14 November, the Federation is highlighting the stigma, discrimination and lack of structural support that people living with diabetes continue to face at work.

The survey, conducted across five continents, found that a third [32%] of employees living with diabetes have considered leaving their job due to the way people with the condition are treated at work. Professor Peter Schwarz, President of the International Diabetes Federation, described the findings as “deeply concerning” and a wake-up call for employers around the world.

“It is indefensible that people living with diabetes are facing stigma, isolation and discrimination in the workplace,” he said.

Nearly half [46%] of employees diagnosed with type 1 diabetes reported negative treatment in the workplace, compared with just over a third [36%] of workers living with type 2 diabetes. More than a quarter [28%] reported having been denied breaks or time off to attend to their diabetes management.

In addition to its emotional and professional impact, the findings show that diabetes-related stigma can also limit career opportunities. Almost a quarter [23%] said they had missed out on career development or training opportunities because of their condition. These barriers are compounded by a culture of silence. One in ten employees living with diabetes has not disclosed their condition to their employer, with 43% of those saying they feared being treated differently. Nearly a third [29%] of these respondents were concerned that disclosure could limit their career progression.

Many employees living with diabetes continue to rely on peer-level support. Close to one in three [29%] have confided in just one trusted colleague, while a slightly higher number [41%] have shared their diagnosis with just a few people at work. These figures highlight the discomfort in addressing diabetes through formal workplace channels and underline the need for organisations to create more supportive and inclusive environments.

The study also found that daily diabetes management is a source of anxiety for many employees. One in four respondents [26%] were not comfortable administering insulin at work, while one in five [20%] felt the same about checking blood glucose levels. Without adequate support, these routine medical needs can become daily challenges in the workplace, imposing unnecessary stress on employees with diabetes.

The global study revealed significant regional variation. Reported rates of negative treatment were highest in Pakistan [68%], followed by India [55%] and the United States [42%], with other countries showing varying degrees of stigma. In Germany, although interpersonal discrimination was less pronounced, more than half of respondents [51%] said their organisation lacked a workplace policy to support people with diabetes — a figure significantly higher than the global average [29%].

Professor Schwarz added:

“No one should have to hide their condition out of fear of being treated differently or denied opportunities. Living with diabetes requires ongoing management, and workplaces must recognise the physical and mental toll it can take. Simple changes, like flexible schedules and private spaces to check glucose levels or administer insulin or other medications, can make a world of difference.

We want employers everywhere to look closely at how they support people living with diabetes. Employees with diabetes deserve respect, understanding and equal opportunities.”

As part of its World Diabetes Day campaign on the importance of well-being at work, the International Diabetes Federation is urging employers to foster supportive environments where health conversations are safe and to implement clear policies that address the needs of employees with diabetes. Strengthening diabetes awareness among all staff and offering flexible arrangements that facilitate diabetes management at work will help ensure that people living with the condition do not feel stigmatised. Workplaces that offer these provisions are better positioned to support all employees, regardless of their health needs.

Methodology and sample

The International Diabetes Federation commissioned Arlington Research, an independent market research agency, to conduct global online research with 1,400 adults living with diabetes in seven countries: Argentina, China, Germany, India, Pakistan, South Africa and the United States of America.

About the International Diabetes Federation

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organisation of 251 national diabetes associations in 158 countries and territories. Its mission is to improve the lives of people with diabetes and prevent diabetes in those at risk. The Federation has been leading the global diabetes community for 75 years. idf.org

About World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nations Resolution 61/225. It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who, along with Charles Best, is credited with the discovery of therapeutic insulin in 1922. The World Diabetes Day 2025 campaign is supported by AstraZeneca, Bayer, Lilly Diabetes, Roche, Sanofi and Servier. worlddiabetesday.org