For off-site meetings, like all meetings, you want to be focused on the meeting itself and not on your food allergies. To focus on the meeting, eat sufficiently before the meeting so you’re not very hungry. Even work lunches and dinners are meant to ‘talk shop’ and not necessarily to talk about how excellent the tuna tartare is. If you can, eat something light at the work lunch or dinner if it it’s olives or a side of fruit. If someone asks, “That’s all you’re eating?,” you can respond, “I’m not terribly hungry. I’m more of a dinner [or lunch] person.” Could you talk about your food allergies then? Sure…but keep the conversation light-hearted. Remember that the focus of the meeting is probably to talk about work itself or the team. It’s great to be a food allergy advocate - just know when it’s the right place and time to do so. If you’re at a conference, be sure to pack a lunch and snacks that you can eat while you’re there.

You’re probably doing everything you can to keep you desk safe from your food allergens, and that’s great! At some point, you’ll probably need to communicate your food allergies to those around you. When do you so, be both dignified and agreeable. You can say in an approachable way, “Hi [insert name] - I wanted to let you know that I’m allergic to [your allergens]. So I’m kindly asking you to not eat any of [you allergens] at your desk sit since we sit right next to each other and since it could trigger an allergic reaction. Would you be able to not eat any of [your allergens] at your desk? Most of the time, your co-worker will respond ‘yes.’ If not, contact your supervisor to see whether you can change desks. As a matter of precaution, sanitize your desk often.

It’s important to be a food allergy advocate and to be open about having food allergies because there is NO shame in having them. It’s also important to know when having a food allergy could make you an outcast or a target at the office.  Unfortunately, discrimination due to having food allergies is not uncommon.  The workplace is supposed to be set up to accommodate people with food allergies.  As some of us know, this is just not the case. Whether the discrimination happens unintentionally or intentionally, it’s still wrong.  You may consider reporting an incident of food allergy discrimination – either decision is respectable.  They key advice to be discerning and practice good judgement with whom you notify about your food allergies and how much attention you want your food allergies to have at the office.

At the office, it’s best to be known for the great work you’re doing and for being a good colleague.  Being known at the office for having food allergies is important for your safety, but according to your company’s management, it’s not a factor for your next promotion or career opportunity.  Your company’s management is most likely thinking of your skillsets, leadership potential and work accomplishments. Do an exercise and think about what you want your brand at work to be.  When your co-workers think of you, what qualities do you want them to think about?  You might use words like hard-working, collaborative and performer.  Ask yourself (non-rhetorically) whether allergy is one of the words you’d use.

At the office, your temperament and self-composure matter – even with food allergies.  It’s understandable that you would be worried or concern about your safety, health and well-being.  The manner in which you communicate your concerns matters.  Though you might be concerned or worries, keeping calm will allow your message to be better received by others, ultimately leading for prompt action to be taken. When someone goes into hysterics or starts yelling or showing high levels of emotion, his or her message is drowned in its delivery. Instead, stay as calm as you can.  It isn’t always easy, I know. A great way to learn to stay calm is by practicing meditation.  Meditation comes in many forms.  Start by taking five (5) deep breaths each morning.  It can do your mind, body and soul wonders.

Check to see whether your office building has a doctor, nurse or other kind of medical staff on-site. If so, visit them upon learning about it so that they can get to know you. Getting to know them early on and establishing the relationship could greatly help you if the worst occurs and you have an allergic reaction at the office. Ask for advice about what would happen if you had an allergic reaction and still needed medical attention after using your epinephrine auto-injector. Ask them questions about where in the area you can find allergy-friendly safe options if you must eat at the office or near it.

First and foremost, carry your epinephrine auto-injector. Epi First and Epi Fast, as the saying goes. Just in case the worst occurs, know where the nearest hospital is. Know how close it is and prepare for how you or any medical staff could transport you there. Sometimes you may have to guide medical staff on what to do or where to go for further medical treatment.

Just like your career, you’re in the driver’s seat with your food allergies at work. Plan ahead, take care of yourself and put yourself in a position to thrive at the office and to interact well with your co-workers. Wishing you a successful, meaningful and food allergy safe career!