Good evening. I need some advice. I'll try to keep my question condensed. I work in long term care. I have a license for which I need to get continuing education credits every two years. In the past I obtained the credits by going to one day seminars. Most recently I have been doing home study programs which works the best for me. The facility where I work has now been sold and the new owners are "big" on social networking. Many of their staff members attend four day conferences which are sponsored by an organization that we belong to (the conferences are in the spring & fall.) Luckily since the sale just took place I didn't have to go the fall conference but I am afraid that they will expect me to attend the one in the spring. The thought of having to eat 3 meals/day for four days at a conference almost makes me want to run to the bathroom. I know there is no way that a conference serving that many people is going to be able to take care of my dietary needs. So finally here is the question. What do I tell them? Do I explain about the disease? I am a very private person and I am not too thrilled about having to share this information with people that I barely know at this point in time. If I had a G.I. who realized that diet is the key to controlling the L.C. I would get a note. But since he is like most G.I.s I can't do that. (And it's not like I would tell the Human Resource person and it would be finished there. I have a Regional Director and there are consultants who are in & out...they will all know my personal business.) Sorry this is so long and any advice will be appreciated!
Marcia
Advice needed - employer
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Marcia
tricky situation
unless someone in management or human resources themselves or have a relative that have an IBD or multiple food intolerances it is not always easy to get understanding
When I was Dx with MC, I was transparent with my employer, this worked really well as when it came to travel for work purposes they were very very supportive, I was allowed to have self cater accommodation, I travelled a day earlier so i could prepare meals for the few days, I had hire car to myself so that I didnt have to follow the timings of other participants and I was excluded from night time socialising. (the employer covered all the additional costs)
With any formal meetings meetings I had two co-workers who would sit near by and take over minute taking etc if i had to leave the meeting to go to the toilet. I have done air travel where i take a small cooler bag of pre-preared meals.
you may be surprised, getting gluten free meals especially at large functions/conferences is alot easier. It is getting suitable meals, that are not based on salad, fruit, and minus other major triggers that is the stressful part.
If it was me, I would discuss with appropriate manager that you have an IBD that is managed by strict diet. You have multiple serious food intolerances. mention that you are concerned about travel, it is not 'impossible' to travel, it just takes a bit of planning slight adjustment to plans.
Are you in a position to pay the extra cost to have self catering accommodation at the meeting/training locations? if so, you offer to pay this additional cost. If you can have good breakfast and good evening meal it is possible to survive the day with Protein shakes, and safe snacks etc
this is a show of good faith, that you are willing to make the effort to make it work.
Hope this helps
tricky situation
unless someone in management or human resources themselves or have a relative that have an IBD or multiple food intolerances it is not always easy to get understanding
When I was Dx with MC, I was transparent with my employer, this worked really well as when it came to travel for work purposes they were very very supportive, I was allowed to have self cater accommodation, I travelled a day earlier so i could prepare meals for the few days, I had hire car to myself so that I didnt have to follow the timings of other participants and I was excluded from night time socialising. (the employer covered all the additional costs)
With any formal meetings meetings I had two co-workers who would sit near by and take over minute taking etc if i had to leave the meeting to go to the toilet. I have done air travel where i take a small cooler bag of pre-preared meals.
you may be surprised, getting gluten free meals especially at large functions/conferences is alot easier. It is getting suitable meals, that are not based on salad, fruit, and minus other major triggers that is the stressful part.
If it was me, I would discuss with appropriate manager that you have an IBD that is managed by strict diet. You have multiple serious food intolerances. mention that you are concerned about travel, it is not 'impossible' to travel, it just takes a bit of planning slight adjustment to plans.
Are you in a position to pay the extra cost to have self catering accommodation at the meeting/training locations? if so, you offer to pay this additional cost. If you can have good breakfast and good evening meal it is possible to survive the day with Protein shakes, and safe snacks etc
this is a show of good faith, that you are willing to make the effort to make it work.
Hope this helps
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Thanks, Gabes. Your input is always appreciated! The tough part with the conferences is the socialization aspect. While I was never the life of the party, I wasn't a wallflower, etc. This disease certainly changes the dining aspect of social gatherings. I have some time until I have to deal with it. They do host a Christmas luncheon that I will attend. That's at a large hotel that's about 30 minutes from my home and I'm sure they will be able to accommodate me as they have famous clientele. One step at a time. Have a great day!
Marcia
Marcia
Marcia, I'm not sure where you live but, with some planning, I think the hotel staff can accommodate your diet. I worked in food service for many years and the current, often mandatory, food safety training includes food allergies and how they are required to be accommodated. I would call them ahead of time, tell them what you can and can't eat, and ask them to come up with a menu which you can pre-approve. They should know about cross-contamination with unsafe foods, but you can remind them.
Your plate might not look all that different than other diners. You could have a plain cut of meat and well cooked veggies that you can tolerate. Plain potatoes or rice if that works for you. I went to an all day conference in Syracuse, NY yesterday and asked the manager if I could just have 6 or so ounces of the roast beef and well cooked carrots. She bent over backwards. These days, with so many people eating GF and Paleo, I don't think that you'll stand out too much.
Break times are the hardest for me. Mounds of cookies, fresh fruits and forbidden juices. I usually have the herbal tea or I carry a little thermos of coconut milk for my coffee/tea. You can pack a banana or some rice cakes to munch on.
Good luck and chin up!
Your plate might not look all that different than other diners. You could have a plain cut of meat and well cooked veggies that you can tolerate. Plain potatoes or rice if that works for you. I went to an all day conference in Syracuse, NY yesterday and asked the manager if I could just have 6 or so ounces of the roast beef and well cooked carrots. She bent over backwards. These days, with so many people eating GF and Paleo, I don't think that you'll stand out too much.
Break times are the hardest for me. Mounds of cookies, fresh fruits and forbidden juices. I usually have the herbal tea or I carry a little thermos of coconut milk for my coffee/tea. You can pack a banana or some rice cakes to munch on.
Good luck and chin up!
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Marcia
I have spent the past 3 years being super sensitive and not able to socialise.
with good healing, the right supplements, inflammation in my body at a minimum, for the first time in over 6 years I have been able to socialise, eat meals with gluten/dairy/soy with minimal reactions. This is not something I will do regularly, it was for a special family wedding.
having to be super careful is not a permanent thing.
For the xmas event, eat low inflammation easy to digest meals for the week before the event. Take antihistamines to minimise reactions at the event.
plan a quiet day the next day, drink lots of water to flush out any toxins...
I have spent the past 3 years being super sensitive and not able to socialise.
with good healing, the right supplements, inflammation in my body at a minimum, for the first time in over 6 years I have been able to socialise, eat meals with gluten/dairy/soy with minimal reactions. This is not something I will do regularly, it was for a special family wedding.
having to be super careful is not a permanent thing.
For the xmas event, eat low inflammation easy to digest meals for the week before the event. Take antihistamines to minimise reactions at the event.
plan a quiet day the next day, drink lots of water to flush out any toxins...
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Marcia, I've just told people that I have several food allergies now and that I will bring my own food. At lunch, when everyone was getting their hotel prepared lunches I just went and got my chicken salad (with onion, almonds and grapes) and I'd either eat with them or in my hotel room. In the evening if I didn't feel okay about the restaurant I'd just order a drink and just sit and visit. If anyone asked I'd assure them I was fine and that I'd eat my own food back at the hotel. It really wasn't as awkward as I expected.
At some restaurants I've been able to get a shrimp cocktail and a baked potato or a grilled steak (just tell them no butter) and vegetables and it's worked out okay. If really unsure, I have taken Gluten Cutter which also helps with soy and dairy enzymes. It takes some planning but it's not impossible. When others are eating their cookies, I'd have almonds that I brought.
So that's what has worked for me. What I've found is if I assure people I'm okay then they don't worry about me.
Carol
At some restaurants I've been able to get a shrimp cocktail and a baked potato or a grilled steak (just tell them no butter) and vegetables and it's worked out okay. If really unsure, I have taken Gluten Cutter which also helps with soy and dairy enzymes. It takes some planning but it's not impossible. When others are eating their cookies, I'd have almonds that I brought.
So that's what has worked for me. What I've found is if I assure people I'm okay then they don't worry about me.
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Thanks, ladies. I appreciate your advice. I'll take it one event at a time and see how it goes.I am going to Disney in December and I am really not too concerned about that trip. I will be with family and we picked Disney because they are very accommodating to people with eating sensitivities. Gabies, I can't imagine being at the point where I can eat food that made me so sick a year ago. I'm glad you have reach that milestone on your journey. Thanks again.
Marcia
Marcia