When my boss announced the company Christmas party would be at a steakhouse, I laughed—then remembered: I’m vegan.
I asked if there’d be plant-based options. His reply? “Just get a salad.”
It wasn’t about the food. It was the dismissive tone, the way he made my needs feel like an inconvenience. I decided not to go and emailed my manager politely.
Then came the HR email: “Mandatory Follow-Up.” My stomach dropped.
In the meeting, I explained why I’d skipped the party. Karen, the HR manager, listened and sighed. “That’s… not okay,” she said.
Turns out, I wasn’t alone. Coworkers with allergies, non-drinkers, and others had been ignored or mocked. My absence forced HR to take a closer look.
Two weeks later, the company issued new guidelines for inclusive events—and my boss was moved out of leadership.
Months later, the next company gathering had vegan dishes, gluten-free options, and non-alcoholic drinks that weren’t soda. A coworker whispered, “Way better than last time.”
I smiled. It wasn’t revenge. It was respect.
Sometimes, quietly refusing to accept less than you deserve speaks louder than showing up to a salad.
