Work-Related Frustrations

[colormist]

My company was recently bought out by a global company. Thankfully, it's wasn't the downsizing kind of purchase, but rather the "make this company grow really big" kind of purchase. They're putting us through lots of training to get us up to speed with how their company works.

Recently, it was noted that we'd be going to an all-day training session at a remote location. My immediate coworkers all know about my "food allergies" (as I call HFI), so I stopped at my boss's office to see how the food situation would be handled. Breakfast I can eat at home, but if they're catering, I need to know so I can bring my own food.

Turns out they were catering and they were making the lunch a "working-session" which means no chance for me to leave the place to get food. That instantly reduces my food options to water and peanut butter (due to lack of refrigerators).

My manager didn't stop there and inquired to the person running the training session as to how the food would be handled because I have "food allergies" (as she puts it because she doesn't want to explain it either).

We get this email back:

I'm not sure (exactly) what's being ordered for Monday, but we typically have something suitable for vegetarians. Gluten allergies, however, are a mystery to us.

Breakfast is typically pastries and coffee. Lunch is typically either a sandwich tray (where folks build their own sandwiches), pizza, or lasagna.

None of that seems very gluten-allergy friendly. :-(

Fortunately the speaker typically gives attendees 20 minutes at the start of lunch for answering calls and whatnot, so this would probably be a convenient time for those folks who want/need to, to slip out and pick something up. There are two restaurants in our building where they could easily grab food: a seafood place and a Deli. Also nearby is the Food Co-Op (great salad bar), a Teriyaki restaurant, and a Thai restaurant.

If any of those don't work, there are also many restaurants who will deliver to the area.

Does that help?

LOL, it's nice that they instantly default to gluten intolerance and vegetarians. Though I wasn't aware the vegetarians had a meat-allergy.

I think I'll stick with peanut butter and maybe run out to get a milk.

[lisa]

Laura - Congrats on your GOD status upgrade

If I were you, I'd invest in a couple of things: An insulated lunch box & cold pack and a wide mouth thermos. These items have been invaluable to me when travelling with Nate. This way, hot or cold food is available when the facilities aren't. If I have to stay somewhere overnight, I make sure the hotel has a microwave and refrigerator so that I can prepare for the next day's meals.

It's a bummer that you don't have access to the caterer. Maybe you could ask who it is and talk with them. You could probably spell out a meal to them that they could bring in as part of the group's lunch.

In any case, I don't think you should be stuck with peanut butter as the only option.

[julienc]

What a pain!!!

I was going to suggest what Lisa said - bring a small insulated cooler with lunch. I often do that when needed, and then leave it in the car until lunch time. My meal of choice is a roast-beef sandwich and chips, with an iced tea. Can't live without my iced tea!

Catered meals are annoying. We had a "working lunch" the other day, and I called ahead to see what the food was. Pizza. Blech. I ate before hand.

[CK]

I bring an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack, and usually make up chicken and have black olives and chips. I'm not a big tuna fan, but Whole Foods has a safe tuna and I brought that with a can opener once. I needed a change from my chicken.
Good luck. It is such a pain to have to plan for events like this.

[Tammy]

Regina's go-to lunch is Lucks Chicken and Dumplings in a microwave bowl. We can usually find a place to zap it somewhere, and if we can't, then she can eat it room temp right out of the bowl.

Her second staple is rice puffs. Bowl of cereal with milk goes down well anytime.

[charlie]

It does seem ridiculous in this day and age that you can't contact the caterers to get something special, after all vegetarian is now par for the course, as is often gluten and dairy free. Mind you, having read posts and experienced first hand about what people consider is fructose free I dread to think what may be offered. I would go with your own food, produce it in the middle of the canteen with pride and munch to your hearts content knowing at least you won't be ill afterwards.

[tez]

Hi, I have been in a similar situation, just 2 weeks ago.
A massive function and the mysteries of the unknown meals being served.
Fortunately for me, my boss and co workers are well aware of my HFI and forwarded a letter to the CEO who was hosting the function, and she made sure I had all meals available to me.
I guess the best thing to do.. as bad as it may seem.. but always be prepared to bring your own meal. I always find " cuppa noodles" handy, as most functions have hot water for tea and coffee, and that way I know in case of an emergency I will still eat.

[colormist]

I ended up with a baloney sandwich, almonds, and pringles. Not too shabby.

Now they're mentioning sending me to India to research the hospitals there. Thankfully I like Indian food and should be able to manage (remotely).