Worker Calls Out Coworker For Lying About A Medical Condition In Front Of Everyone, It Gets Ugly

Respect is a big part of workplace relationships. If we know that our colleagues lack integrity and cannot be trusted, how are we supposed to complete our joint projects without constant worry and stress?

A few days ago, Reddit user Legal_Section679 shared a post highlighting this exact problem. They described witnessing a coworker, Emma, who had claimed to have celiac disease, eating regular pizza at an office party.

The Redditor said they confronted the woman about it, but she got defensive and painted them as the villain for making a scene in public, insisting that her medical information had been “outed.”

Office pizza parties are usually a chance for coworkers to relax, chat, and bond

Woman enjoying a slice of pizza with mushrooms and pepperoni, highlighting a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party moment.

Image credits: Freepik (not the actual photo)

But this one led to a full-blown argument

Text discussing a worker calling out a gluten-free colleague for eating regular pizza at the office party.

Office worker calls out gluten-free colleague at pizza party for choosing regular pizza slices instead of gluten-free options.

Text on white background showing a worker calling out a gluten-free colleague about celiac disease, overheard by coworkers.

Text discussing a worker calling out a gluten-free colleague about celiac disease and office accommodations at a pizza party.

Text discussing a worker calling out gluten-free colleague at a pizza party, causing tension among coworkers.

Two workers having an intense conversation outdoors, highlighting a gluten-free colleague issue at a pizza party.

Image credits: Stockbusters/Freepik (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt discussing celiac disease and the impact of gluten exposure on people with the condition.

Alt text: Worker calls out gluten-free colleague at pizza party, sparking conflict over medical information and celiac disease disclosure.

Text post discussing whether calling out a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party was appropriate.

Image credits: Legal_Section679

It’s difficult to say if calling out the coworker was the right move or not

The Redditor was right, celiac disease is a serious condition. If you have it, eating gluten triggers an immune response to the gluten protein in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction can damage your small intestine’s lining and prevent it from absorbing nutrients. This subsequent condition is called malabsorption.

The intestinal damage causes symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating, and anemia. If not properly managed, it can lead to serious complications.

There’s no definite cure for celiac disease. But for most people, following a strict gluten-free diet can help manage symptoms and help the intestines heal.

But there might be no clear answer to the question whether or not the woman needed to be confronted. “There are certainly some battles worth fighting, particularly when they’re values-based,” says Lisa Stephenson, founder of The Coach Place and a globally recognized high-impact coach, consultant, keynote speaker, and author.

Image credits: pvproductions/Freepik (not the actual photo)

According to her, if something that you highly value has been wronged, then there is nothing wrong with sharing your view and speaking your truth. “Getting along with difficult people is not the same as justifying or turning a blind eye to what is unacceptable, such as bullying or discrimination,” Stephenson explains.

“But if they’re simply rubbing you up the wrong way, offering viewpoints that are different from your own, or holding fast to an issue that will dissipate over time, you should probably let it slide.”

“In the end, we so often feel the need to be right. That’s our egos at play. We all have one. We want to look good, and we believe it’s always someone else’s fault. But there are occasions in life — especially at work … when showing compassion … is so much more important than proving you know better,” adds Stephenson, author of Read Me First: Before You Write the Next Chapter in the Story of You.

The key lies in being empathetic, looking at the situation from the other person’s perspective, and being curious rather than judgmental. “Take the time to consider the feelings, insecurities, ideas, and experiences of whoever it is you’re clashing with,” Stephenson says.

Most people who read the story believe the author did nothing wrong

Comment on a social media post discussing a worker calling out a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party.

Text conversation discussing a worker calling out gluten-free colleague at a pizza party causing conflict in the workplace.

Comment discussing a worker calling out a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party for misrepresenting gluten intolerance.

Comment from user kmflushing explaining why calling out a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party is justified and affects celiac awareness.

Comment discussing gluten-free options, workplace reactions, and the seriousness of celiac disease at a pizza party.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment warning about bullying a gluten-free colleague with celiac disease at a workplace pizza party.

Reddit comments discussing a worker calling out a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party and the ensuing conflict.

Comment discussing a worker calling out gluten-free colleague at a pizza party amid concerns about Celiac disease.

User comment on a forum post discussing a worker calling out a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party, highlighting conflict.

Forum post discussing worker calling out gluten-free colleague at a pizza party causing tension and conflict.

Comment discussing celiac disease in response to a worker calling out gluten-free colleague at a pizza party.

Comment highlighting support for calling out gluten-free colleague during a pizza party conflict about celiac disease.

Commenter discusses worker calling out gluten-free colleague at pizza party and the ensuing conflict involving celiac concerns.

Commenter discussing celiac disease and agreeing with post about a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party conflict.

Some, however, think they were being too nosy

Commenter questions how a worker's call-out of a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party is relevant or justified.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a worker calling out a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party.

User comment discussing a coworker with celiac disease and gluten-free dietary needs at a workplace pizza party.

Alt text: Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing gluten sensitivity and workplace behavior in a tense office pizza party setting.

Comment discussing a worker calling out a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party and the ensuing conflict.

Comment on a forum post calling out a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party, sparking a tense online debate.

Screenshot of a comment discussing a worker calling out a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party.

User comment discussing a worker calling out gluten-free colleague at a pizza party creating tension among coworkers.

Text comment discussing a colleague with gluten intolerance and the importance of respecting their gluten-free choices at work.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment reading "YTA; stay in your lane, Karen" in a discussion about a workplace gluten-free pizza party conflict.

Text post discussing the inappropriate behavior of a worker calling out a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party.

User comment about gluten sensitivity, discussing challenges of avoiding gluten and dealing with social policing at a pizza party.

Comment discussing workplace conflict involving a gluten-free colleague during a pizza party and dietary boundaries.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing a worker calling out a gluten-free colleague at a pizza party.

Workplace conflict as worker calls out gluten-free colleague at pizza party, sparking a heated argument.

Text comment discussing gluten intolerance and rare consumption of pizza despite symptoms at a pizza party.

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