Managing Diabetes at Work
Diabetes is becoming an increasing health concern around the world, especially in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. According to the International Diabetes Federation’s 2025 data, around 589 million adults globally are living with diabetes, and this number is expected to rise to 853 million by 2050. In the Middle East and North Africa region, which includes the UAE, the prevalence is notably high. Approximately 20.7% of adults in the UAE have diabetes, translating to over 1 million people currently living with the condition. This places the UAE among the countries with the highest diabetes rates by age-adjusted standards.
Looking at the population context of the UAE helps understand the challenges diabetes poses in workplaces. As of 2025, the UAE’s population is estimated to be around 10.4 million. This population is unique due to rapid urban development, significant immigration, and economic growth. The median age is roughly 34.6 years, indicating a relatively young population. Importantly, about 80% of the residents are between 20 and 64 years of age, representing the main working population that drives the country’s economy. The demographic is also heavily skewed towards males, who account for nearly 70% of the population, largely because of the large expatriate workforce. These factors emphasize the need for workplace diabetes management programs to be adapted to a young, diverse, and predominantly working-age population.
Challenges Faced by Employees with Diabetes at Work
Impact of Stress on Blood Sugar
Workplace stress can have a big impact on blood sugar control for people with diabetes. When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol as part of its natural “fight or flight” response—a survival mechanism evolved to prepare you for increased physical activity. These hormones signal the liver to release more glucose into the bloodstream to provide quick energy. At the same time, they reduce the effectiveness of insulin, the hormone that helps move sugar from your blood into your cells. While this response is helpful in short bursts, chronic stress common in many jobs can lead to persistently high blood sugar levels.
Research shows that people in high-pressure jobs or roles that require constant social interaction are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and may also struggle more to keep their existing diabetes under control. Additionally, chronic stress often affects behaviors related to managing diabetes, such as eating habits, physical activity, and sticking to medication schedules, making blood sugar control even more challenging.
Dietary and Physical Activity Barriers
Stable blood sugar control depends heavily on consistent healthy eating and regular physical activity — both of which can be challenging in typical work settings. Irregular work schedules, limited access to balanced meals or healthy snacks, and the prevalence of sedentary desk jobs interfere with maintaining steady glucose levels. Many workplaces do not have facilities or cultures that support taking breaks for eating mindfully or moving regularly. This lack of support can result in blood sugar fluctuations, fatigue, and missed opportunities for effective diabetes management.
Disclosure Barriers and Stigma
Despite the need for workplace accommodations, many employees choose to hide their diabetes diagnosis due to fears about discrimination, misunderstandings, or negative perceptions. This secrecy can prevent them from asking for necessary breaks to check blood sugar or take medications, putting their health at risk. Fear of stigma also contributes to increased stress, creating a cycle that further complicates blood sugar management. Creating employee-friendly policies and growing awareness are essential to reduce this barrier and support people with diabetes at work.
Solutions for Effective Diabetes Management at Work
Creating Supportive Work Environments
Employers play a vital role in supporting employees with diabetes. Providing flexible work schedules allows space for medication, blood glucose testing, and healthy meal breaks, which are essential for effective diabetes control. Workplaces can designate private areas for blood sugar monitoring and insulin administration, along with proper disposal for medical supplies. Encouraging open communication helps reduce stigma and builds a culture of understanding and inclusion. It’s also important to educate management and coworkers about diabetes to foster empathy and support tailored accommodations.
Empowering Employees with Practical Strategies
Meal Preparation and Nutrition: Encouraging employees to prepare balanced meals rich in fiber and low in sugar helps maintain steady blood sugar. Employers can support this by facilitating access to healthy food options at or near the workplace.
Physical Activity: Given the sedentary nature of many jobs, workplaces should promote regular movement, such as stretching breaks, walking meetings, or standing desks, helping improve insulin sensitivity and blood glucose regulation.
Medication Management: Setting reminders and having a private, comfortable area for medication or insulin use enables employees to adhere to treatment plans.
Stress Reduction: Since workplace stress can elevate blood sugar, practices like mindfulness, breathwork, or short relaxation exercises during breaks can be effective coping tools.
Effective Communication Strategies for Diabetes Management at Work
Clear and open communication is key to supporting employees with diabetes. When communication is handled with empathy and understanding, it helps individuals feel supported and motivated to manage their condition better.
Active Listening and Empathy: Listening carefully and showing genuine concern makes employees feel heard. Reflecting back what they say and asking clarifying questions encourages open dialogue.
Simple, Clear Language: Using plain language, avoiding medical jargon or complicated terms, and explaining information step by step makes communication easier and more effective. Breaking information into small, digestible pieces ensures better understanding.
Encourage Questions and Check Understanding: Encouraging employees to ask questions and to repeat information in their own words, helps confirm they understand the information and feel comfortable with the advice or support offered.
Build Trust: Appreciation for efforts employees make to manage their diabetes is supportive. Trust grows with ongoing conversations that focus on partnership rather than instructions.
Support Emotional Well-being: Diabetes management can be stressful. Open conversations about mental health, stress, and challenges reduce isolation and promote well-being.
By fostering respectful, empathetic communication, employers and managers can create a workplace culture where employees with diabetes feel valued, understood, and empowered to succeed.
Leveraging UAE Health Initiatives
The UAE government prioritizes diabetes management through national campaigns, screening programs, and state-of-the-art healthcare services. Collaborations like the Emirates Diabetes Society’s updated guidelines ensure widespread adoption of best practices. Innovations such as continuous glucose monitoring and AI-powered health apps support patients in real-time disease management. These advancements can be integrated into workplace wellness programs to optimize employee health.
Supporting employees with diabetes through these strategies not only improves individual well-being but also enhances organizational productivity and reduces healthcare-related costs. The key is a comprehensive, empathetic approach tailored to the needs and lifestyles of the diverse UAE workforce.
UAE Governmental Actions and Support Program
Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) Diabetes Initiatives
MoHAP launched a National Prediabetes and Diabetes Screening campaign aiming to detect and manage prediabetes and diabetes early. They have also developed integrated programs including virtual workshops, follow-up health monitoring, and patient education through multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
Workplace Wellness Guidelines in Federal Government of UAE
The UAE federal government promotes employee well-being through initiatives such as healthy food offerings, physical activity challenges, education on nutrition, and smoking cessation support within workplaces.
National Nutrition Guidelines by MoHAP
Comprehensive nutrition guidelines to support healthy eating, reduce non-communicable diseases, and promote physical activity in workplaces and communities across the UAE.
General Diabetes Prevention and Awareness
The UAE government runs public health programs focusing on diabetes prevention through education, screening, and promoting active lifestyles like the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
