Let's play, "Would you say something?"

[wambam]

Could you bring your own food and eat it during the meeting while everyone else eats?

I probably wouldn't say anything about it.

[daisybuchannan]

I'd ask if I could look at a menu to see if there is a gluten free option or salad that I could order.

[walterismydog]

Yes, I would. I wouldn't make a huge deal out of it or anything, but I'd just ask the boss(es) if they could get something that fits your dietary restrictions.

[eddy]

I would tell the meeting planners or whoever does the food ordering.

I order food for a student group and always taking food allergies or preferences into consideration. It is NBD.

[Deleted]

Bring my own food to the meeting.

[EmilieMadison]

Do they know why you can't eat pizza/hoagies (you didnt mention why here...)? I would just be up front with the person who orders and say, "Hey, I can't eat pizza/hoagies because XYZ, so on days that we have lunch meetings, is it possible to order a salad along with the pizza, or if I know the day ahead of time I can just bring something. Thanks!" No need to suffer in silence.

[TrickyBob]

I would have a one on one conversation with the boss and explain and ask for something like a salad. All pizza places sell salad, it isn't an extra special item that has to be bought from some other place. It is easy to order and easy to pick up/have delivered with everything else.

[Deleted]

If you get advance notice, bring your own lunch. If they notice you eating your own food, hopefully they will offer to bring a menu and special order something. It doesn't look good for you to mope through the meeting eating nothing, to make a point, KWIM?

In general though I think you are right. They provide lunch as a nice courtesy and I don't think they are obligated to cater to individuals.

[lola]

Yeah, I'd say something. In advance of the next meeting I'd just pop into the food-order's office and say, "Hey, if you're getting pizza tomorrow would you mind adding a Greek Salad (or whatever) to the order so I can eat with you all? I have X planned for right after the meeting so I won't have time to run out like I usually do. Thanks!"

[lime]

Yes, I would inquire politely with the person that orders the food.

[wambam]

Oct 30, 2013 11:36:28 GMT -5 @missusbee said:

If you get advance notice, bring your own lunch. If they notice you eating your own food, hopefully they will offer to bring a menu and special order something. It doesn't look good for you to mope through the meeting eating nothing, to make a point, KWIM?

In general though I think you are right. They provide lunch as a nice courtesy and I don't think they are obligated to cater to individuals.

This is what I wanted to say, but didn't have the words for. 

[WOT?*]

I'd mention something. If they're buying for the office, they should be buying *for* the office. There's not a lot of reason they should be excluding something as simple as a salad for those who can't eat pizza.

(And on that note, they shouldn't be holding meetings at lunch unless you're all exempt or they're paying you for the meeting time. So they REALLY should be buying everybody lunch if they're skirting the FLSA and nobody is saying anything about *that* part. )

[katfco]

I would say something. If I were just watching what I ate, maybe not, but here you're talking about a medical condition. If you can't bring your own food in, you could always phrase by saying something like, "I'm not able to eat pizza, would it be possible for you to add a salad onto that order?" Maybe even offer to pay for the extra cost, so it doesn't look like you're trying to be a pain.

[Gato]

Do they order through their secretary?  You could go ask him/her to get you a salad instead, explaining why.  It really shouldn't be a big deal.  You deserve to eat food like the rest of your team, and food that doesn't make you sick!

[Deleted]

When I'm the organizer I always include a note in the meeting invite (and a later email in case it was missed) to let me know if there are any dietary restrictions. However if I forgot I wouldn't be upset if someone came back and said "hey I can't eat.... Or can you order x to accommodate my dietary restrictions"

I think one coworker just responds to lunch invite asking if there will be x or if he should bring his own lunch.

I've also had someone come back and say not to order that lunch, they'll bring their own due to dietary restrictions. She was allergic to everything, I offered to try but she said it was too easy for a caterer to screw up.

So yes, I think you should speak up and there's a few ways people I know do.

[Deleted]

Go straight to the orderers politely. I have done this about vegetarian options. I also usually bring a backup lunch/snack to meetings just in case. You eat soup from home in front of people once or twice and they remember better. I didn't do that to make a point, but it worked.

[TrickyBob]

Oct 30, 2013 11:36:28 GMT -5 @missusbee said:

If you get advance notice, bring your own lunch. If they notice you eating your own food, hopefully they will offer to bring a menu and special order something. It doesn't look good for you to mope through the meeting eating nothing, to make a point, KWIM?

In general though I think you are right. They provide lunch as a nice courtesy and I don't think they are obligated to cater to individuals.

It is a nice courtesy but she has celiac, she will never be able to eat that pizza. I think that is a lot different than catering to individuals just because they don't want pizza and want to order something else. 

I think it would be absolutely fine to explain to them why she cannot eat it and if they could order her something else. If this is going to be a weekly thing, there is no reason she shouldn't get to be a part of this. 

[Deleted]

I'm not trying to be harsh. Celiac is a really horrible disease absolutely worthy of special accommodation. And it would be kind of them to do so. But if its a large group, I can understand that the logistics of special ordering for all the people who need it might be prohibitive, and I don't think they have any obligation to do it.

[vallarta]

You could suggest a pizza place with gluten free options. Domino's even has g-free crust now.

[ECB]

Oct 30, 2013 11:43:06 GMT -5 TrickyBob said:

Oct 30, 2013 11:36:28 GMT -5 @missusbee said:

It is a nice courtesy but she has celiac, she will never be able to eat that pizza. I think that is a lot different than catering to individuals just because they don't want pizza and want to order something else. 

I think it would be absolutely fine to explain to them why she cannot eat it and if they could order her something else. If this is going to be a weekly thing, there is no reason she shouldn't get to be a part of this. 

100% this. 

Go to your boss and/or person who orders and just tell them you can't eat the food, would it be a problem to order a salad?  I'd HOPE they'd say "Oh- of course not".  But if they are actually asses about it - then start bringing your lunch into the meeting w/ you. 

There is NO reason for you to not be eating when they are.

[Deleted]

Oct 30, 2013 11:36:28 GMT -5 @missusbee said:

If you get advance notice, bring your own lunch. If they notice you eating your own food, hopefully they will offer to bring a menu and special order something. It doesn't look good for you to mope through the meeting eating nothing, to make a point, KWIM?

In general though I think you are right. They provide lunch as a nice courtesy and I don't think they are obligated to cater to individuals.

At my office lunch meetings are to be avoided, but if you can't you provide lunch. To make up for taking someone's free hour. Along that train of thought, it's not catering to if it's a dietary restriction, it's part of providing lunch. And I'd rather order something you can eat then pay for a lunch that won't be eaten. 

To to book a lunch meeting and not provide lunch is a big no in our corporate culture. The only way around it is a lunch and learn that isn't mandatory. 

[ECB]

Oct 30, 2013 11:45:43 GMT -5 @missusbee said:

I'm not trying to be harsh. Celiac is a really horrible disease absolutely worthy of special accommodation. And it would be kind of them to do so. But if its a large group, I can understand that the logistics of special ordering for all the people who need it might be prohibitive, and I don't think they have any obligation to do it.

One person shouldn't be a logistical issue.  We're talking about a SALAD. 

No, they don't have any obligation, and they may say "no".  but she absolutely can fricking ASK "Hey- can you order me a salad?". 

[shopgirl07]

Yes, you should say something. I'm surprised no one has picked up on this and offered to order a salad, I think that's pretty crappy.

As someone else said, whenever pizza or sandwiches have been ordered at my workplaces, there's always salad ordered as well. I'm sure some of the others would appreciate the salad anyway and dig in as well.

[Deleted]

Also as a meeting planner making sure there's non pork for Muslims, gluten free for celiac and vegetarian isn't special ordering or considered special.

Special is Susie doesn't like mushrooms, joe is on Atkins and wants steak and Alex only likes Pizza Hut. Those people can just make do with what is there.


edited to correct the damn auto correct

[MixedBerryJam]

Oct 30, 2013 11:35:50 GMT -5 eddy said:

I would tell the meeting planners or whoever does the food ordering.

I order food for a student group and always taking food allergies or preferences into consideration. It is NBD.

I don't think I' d mention it to my boss or to the person who's leading the meeting, but I would definitely say something directly to the person who places the order. "I realize you probably don't know this, but I have celiac disease and can't eat gluten, which basically means anything with bread, like subs and pizza. The next time you order for this meeting, could you just order me a green salad? Thanks!"

Or leave out the medical stuff, but then you risk sounding "picky" and you're less likely to get your salad from the person whose job you just made more difficult (albeit in a tinier than minuscule way).

Definitely worth saying something.

[mrsukyankee]

I am guessing that any guy who had an issue with the lunch would have NO ISSUE with speaking up. Seriously, they are taking up your time when you should be eating and providing food for those in the meeting - they should be conscious of the fact that you can't eat and what you are able to eat. It's not a big deal.

[wrathofkuus]

Lunch meetings should damn well mean that the company feeds you.

[MeMyselfandI]

We have a guy here that just likes to eat healthy. When we order pizza for everyone else, we always get him a salad.

[ECB]

Oct 30, 2013 13:15:47 GMT -5 @iamsnazzy said:

Next time they send out a lunch meeting invite, I'll just ask if there will be a GF option or if I should bring my own lunch.

Eh, as they are aware and have said "Oh, we should have....", reply with "Please remember to either order a salad or a gluten free pizza.  Thanks.".  Don't ask.  TELL.

[revolution]

I have no issues running my mouth at work. Much to my bosses dismay at times. And I would go right up to the person ordering and politely say ' the next time you order from xx for our meeting, can you add a salad with ranch dressing to it for me? thanks!'