Bottom Line
An arbitrator found that an employer violated the Ontario
Human Rights Code by requiring a diabetic employee to
leave his workstation to test his blood glucose and to inject
insulin because this stigmatized the employee and created a
negative perception about his disability. There was no evidence to
support the employer's claim that the employee's self care
posed a hazard to other employees.
Facts: Diabetic employee directed to inject insulin in private
office
An employee working at a 24/7 call centre was diagnosed with
diabetes. As a result, he had to test his blood glucose level and
inject insulin at his workstation 15 minutes before his break.
The call centre employees worked at workstations/cubicles in an
open space. They did not have assigned cubicles and would simply
work in whatever cubicle was available on their shift. The employer
did not have these cubicles cleaned between shifts but instead
provided employees with disinfectant wipes so
