How to tell your co-workers you have Celiac Disease

Having to eat gluten free in the workplace can be tricky. I’ve been fortunate to have some very supportive coworkers over the years who have brought in gluten free snacks to meetings and made sure that I’ve had something I can eat at events. Recently I transitioned to a new team, however, and I was trying to think of a tactful way to let my new team members know that I have to follow a gluten free diet.

So I used National Celiac Awareness day as an “in” to broach the topic. I think that you could do this at other times too though (like as a nice gesture on a casual Friday, for example).

I sent out this email to my team:

Hi folks!

Some of you may know that I have Celiac Disease and have to eat a gluten free diet, but you probably didn’t know that today is National Celiac Awareness Day! For the occasion I got some apples from the farmer’s market, which are on the 2^nd floor front desk (and are naturally gluten free, of course).

And in the spirit of spreading awareness, check out this checklist of symptoms to see if you or someone you know may have it (1 out of 133 people do, actually)! http://www.celiaccentral.org/disease-symptoms-checklist/

Best,

Anna

I had a few people tell me how much they appreciated the email (and the snack) – and one person even told me a story about her sister, who she thinks may have Celiacs as well.

Any other ideas for how you can tell your coworkers?