r/AmIOverreacting • u/MeanderingDragon • Mar 06 '26

šŸ’¼work/career AIO about this text I got from HR?

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So to preface, I'm Type 1 diabetic, which means I have to take multiple daily insulin injections to live. I typically take 5-8 shots per day, and while it isn't fun, it is routine and necessary.

I was at work this morning and they had a small amount of food out for some sort of 'employee appreciation' which reminded me I hadn't had any insulin yet and my glucose levels were getting too high. I took a shot of insulin, got some breakfast, and went to my desk. A few minutes later, this text arrives.

I can understand that shots make some people uncomfortable. Trust me, I'm one of those people. But I have to take them anyway. Am I overreacting to think that if you don't want to see me talking a shot, you can turn your head? Should I have to go to the bathroom which only gets cleaned twice a week, and take my shots in secret like it's a drug addiction? Perhaps it is just me, but I feel that not everything in life that makes us a little uncomfortable is something that has to be pushed out of sight. Sometimes we would benefit more from understanding, acceptance, and perhaps acclimation.

Also for the record, while they say they "mentioned this several times", our HR manager scolded me once maybe two or three years ago publicly during lunch in our cafeteria. I ignored it that time, because friends sitting around me supported me after HR walked off.

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2.8k

u/coyotewildheart Mar 06 '26

I think suggesting you go to a bathroom to give yourself an injection isnt the right alternative. Bathrooms are prime for catching infection.

This happened to me when I was breastfeeding a baby and had to pump while I was at work. There were laws saying the employer had to provide a clean safe private place to do so. Id check your local laws to see how you are protected.

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u/GiraffeandZebra Mar 06 '26

OP is in the right here, but just to be fair, they didn't suggest OP go to the bathroom for shots. OP inferred that as the space. They said "private area". They may be hoping OP just goes to the bathroom so they don't have to provide another space, but you never know, maybe they are willing to accommodate a space other than the bathroom.

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u/HitMePat Mar 07 '26

I don't know what OPs work space is like, but if I had to give myself insulin shots I could surely do it sitting at my own desk with my back turned to the entrance/hallway and no one would see anything or be uncomfortable about it.

It makes me wonder if OP is just whipping his shirt up and giving himself shots in common areas in full view of many coworkers? This email seems to imply its something of a spectacle. I feel like some context is missing from the story. Unless the complaining coworker(s) really just can't mind their own business. If OP is making any effort to be discreet it shouldn't be a big deal or require a dedicated private space (depending on the work environment of course).

Giving yourself an insulin shot isn't a super involved process, in most work places it would be easy enough to do it discreetly without letting anyone see.

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u/speck_tater Mar 07 '26

The way OP describes it, theyā€™re just pulling a syringe out of their back pocket and giving themselves a shot on the spot. They said people should be able to look away and they shouldnā€™t have to do it in private. I think OP is the one being inconsiderate and mentioning the restroom to be dramatic. HR said a private space, and most jobs have that in order to be complaint with ADA laws.

8

u/TJ_Rowe Mar 07 '26

Yikes. I would probably be fine with that happening in the room now I've done first aid training and such, but younger me would have fainted on the spot...

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u/-myeyeshaveseenyou- Mar 09 '26

Yeh Iā€™m a fainter, no idea why, Iā€™m fine in theory with needles. But get woozy about 50% of the times I see one or have one. Itā€™s been a problem as I have a child with a blood disease who needed weekly blood draws, twice in hospital with her I had to be given the bed to lie down, that is some kind of horrible mortification as Iā€™m supposed to me caring for my child. Admittedly itā€™s usually worse if Iā€™m getting the needle myself but my body isnā€™t above fainting for any random needle. I used to own an alternative clothing shop and we decided to branch into piercings, I thought I would learn how until I almost fainted just holding a needle. My worst episode was when I knew I was feeling faint but fell forewarns from the chair I was in while at the doctors and landed head first on the floor and got a lovely concussion

8

u/FuckMyBakaChungusLif Mar 07 '26

One of the reasonable accommodations for Diabetes is the ability it to inject insulin anywhere at work. Maybe OP is "inconsiderate" or whatever, but legally a workplace can't restrict where a diabetic takes insulin, even if it their disability makes coworker uncomfortable

0

u/speck_tater Mar 08 '26

And thatā€™s fine if youā€™re in a critical situation. But itā€™s really no effort to take a scheduled or routine drug in private.

3

u/datapizza Mar 08 '26

Maybe OP is currently injecting themselves in the thigh and not their stomach, so they're just dropping trou in the lunch room while wearing a leather thong.

(I'm pretty sure OP isn't but this is reddit)

11

u/Coconut_Dreams Mar 07 '26

Am I overreacting to think that if you don't want to see me talking a shot, you can turn your head? Should I have to go to the bathroom which only gets cleaned twice a week, and take my shots in secret like it's a drug addiction? Perhaps it is just me, but I feel that not everything in life that makes us a little uncomfortable is something that has to be pushed out of sight. Sometimes we would benefit more from understanding, acceptance, and perhaps acclimation.

I also think OP is definitely overreacting.

This paragraph comes off as selfish disguised in a way to serve only OP's needs.Ā 

"Perhaps it is just me, but I feel that not everything in life that makes us a little uncomfortable is something that has to be pushed out of sight." - Sounds more like he wants to take his shots where he pleases and not really about a sanitary place to take his shots.

8

u/FuckMyBakaChungusLif Mar 07 '26

Sounds more like he wants to take his shots where he pleases and not really about a sanitary place to take his shots.

This is literally one of the rights people with diabetes have under the ADA.

The ability to test blood glucose and inject insulin anywhere at work

https://diabetes.org/advocacy/know-your-rights/common-reasonable-accommodations?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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u/Coconut_Dreams Mar 07 '26

Anywhere at work, not "around everyone at work".Ā 

In a probableĀ situation where someone hasĀ vasovagal syncope, like my cousin and funny enough my SO,Ā and they faint and crack their head open, it becomes their fault that they didn't close their eyes fast enough?

3

u/Hello_Squidward Mar 08 '26

If someone has bad enough vasovagal syncope that the sight of a needle causes fainting, that sounds horribly disabling. Are they not able to travel to major cities for fear of seeing a needle on the ground and passing out? That sounds awful, I feel for your relatives

2

u/Coconut_Dreams Mar 10 '26 edited Mar 10 '26

For my cousin, it's the sight of needles, and for my SO it's blood.Ā 

Actually, I live in a city where I don't see needles on the ground. It's pretty rare to walk downtown and randomly see someone shooting up.

According to him, it's the flow of blood that's an issue. He says his heart races and he just starts to overthink and black out. The kicker, the guy's a doctor and works around blood all dayĀ 

It's not like random fainting like in a movie or something. Lol

5

u/Dualmilion Mar 07 '26

Needle phobia is pretty common too. I would freak a bit if someone just whipped out a needle in front of me and stabbed themselves with it while I was trying to work

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u/Scarlet10119 Mar 07 '26

Thatā€™s a phobia. They need insulin to survive. Weā€™re not trying to inject the needle into you šŸ¤·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļøšŸ¤·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø

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u/driftingalong001 Mar 07 '26

I mean. They could also just mean step away from where everyone is congregating. Like a corner near a window or something. Not sure how the office is set up. If they have cubicles, that would be an easy place. Most places now a days though are open concept, so something like what I first suggested would work. I think itā€™s reasonable to ask OP not to inject right infront of all their coworkers, but itā€™s on the company to provide a safe space for OP to do injections. It could simply be putting up a small divider and a chair by a window, where they could go to do injections.

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u/[deleted] Mar 07 '26

Exactly. To get an accommodation under the ADA you actually have to ask for one.

2

u/Wild_Marker Mar 06 '26

It's possible that it didn't even occur to them. Most people don't think about this stuff until it comes up.

2

u/Fit-Detective4714 Mar 07 '26

Tbf, we donā€™t know OPā€™s workplace and that could be the only place that is a ā€œprivate area.ā€ My last job was at a medical marijuana dispensary and there were cameras EVERYWHERE actively being monitored by a security guard on site. There was one dead spot in the corner of the stock room and the bathrooms, those were pretty much the only places without cameras covering every square inch of the property.

It became a topic of conversation when I got pregnant and one of my managers was trying to figure out an accommodation for if I needed to pump when I returned to work. There literally was nowhere for me to go to get privacy except the bathrooms. That was only one of the reasons I quit that job when I went on maternity leave šŸ˜…

1

u/Wrong_Lychee_6444 Mar 09 '26

Or OPā€™s workspace, desk or office. I think MOR if OP has private space included in her job.

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u/AdvancedMastodon Mar 06 '26

OP needs to administer the shot to his groin which would be considered a private area. There is no mention of "space" in this message.

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u/Costato Mar 06 '26

Who tf is injecting insulin in their groin yall are just making shit upšŸ˜­šŸ˜­

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u/jinglejangle_spurs Mar 06 '26

They were suggesting malicious compliance by interpreting ā€˜inject in a private areaā€™ as ā€˜publicly inject your privatesā€™.Ā 

It was a dumb comment no doubt, but it wasnā€™t insinuating diabetics have to inject their groin.Ā 

3

u/Wild_Marker Mar 06 '26

What, you don't want some sugar between ya legs?

21

u/Total_Ad_92 Mar 06 '26

Where are you two getting that this is a groin injection? Insulin does not go in the groin...

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u/lesbian_mothman Mar 06 '26

Insulin doesnā€™t have to be injected into the groin, where are you getting that from? I and most other diabetics inject it into the stomach; you can also use your thighs, buttocks, or the underside of the upper arms (if you arenā€™t muscular, because then it hurts lol)

7

u/AtrociousSandwich Mar 06 '26

Are you in the right sub?

4

u/TheeJesster Mar 06 '26

Not sure how so many people had this joke go over their heads haga

2

u/throwaway238579465 Mar 07 '26

Holy woosh on all these replies.

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u/JaggedLittleGil Mar 06 '26

I get what youā€™re saying, unlike a bunch of others. I laughed

1

u/creatyvechaos Mar 06 '26

That's NOT how insulin works šŸ¤£

0

u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 Mar 06 '26

You have fundamentally misunderstood everything. The text from HR tells them to do it in a private area, not a main area. They're not saying anything about the groin. Insulin is typically injected in the abdomen.

Op did the injection in an employee break area where food was out for everyone to share. Someone complained and HR is telling them not to do that.

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u/henicorina Mar 06 '26

It was a malicious compliance joke.

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u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 Mar 06 '26

Jokes are funny. Where's the funny part?

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u/somehowintelligent Mar 06 '26

Itā€™s a play on words but youā€™re being a little too serious to pick up on it lol

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u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 Mar 06 '26

It's a serious topic and dozens of other people took what they said the same way that I did. In fact, someone else agreed with them that it's inappropriate to inject your groin in public and they've since deleted the comments because they realized they were wrong.

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u/spacestonkz Mar 06 '26

OP is here seeking help on something serious, and we got jokesters making unclear posts confusing people.

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u/henicorina Mar 06 '26

Damn ok Iā€™ll explain the whole thing for you if youā€™re really struggling. The joke is that they told OP ā€œprivate areaā€ and not ā€œprivate spaceā€ so this person is saying that OP should pretend to misinterpret their instructions and inject in a ā€œprivate areaā€. Itā€™s a play on words.

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u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 Mar 06 '26

Again, it isn't funny. Dozens of other people interpreted what they said the same way as I did to the point that someone else who agreed that it's inappropriate deleted their comments after realizing they were wrong and diabetics don't inject their groin.

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u/AdvancedMastodon Mar 06 '26

That's your interpretation. I see HR advising OP to inject in a private area as it causes stress and discomfort to other people. NGL, that's pretty messed up coming from an HR department.

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u/[deleted] Mar 06 '26

[deleted]

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u/Costato Mar 06 '26

Ur so weirdā€¦ no oneā€™s injecting their private parts like tf??šŸ˜­šŸ’€

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u/[deleted] Mar 06 '26

[deleted]

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u/jas_tastic Mar 06 '26

No one is pulling their pants down for an insulin shot, you uneducated swine.

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u/[deleted] Mar 06 '26

[deleted]

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u/CerseiBluth Mar 06 '26

Are you trolling or do you really not understand that insulin shots are not injected anywhere near the groin? You do them literally anywhere you have fat. Most people do them on their arm.

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u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 Mar 06 '26

No, most people do it on their abdomen.

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u/Ill-Television8690 Mar 06 '26

The second one

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u/Sure_Ad_9257 Mar 06 '26

because it doesnā€™t exist pookie, of course no ones mentioning it !

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u/megjed Mar 06 '26

Yeah I was thinking itā€™s similar to pumping. I kinda see the other side of it a smidge because I am very bad with needles so if I saw one unexpectedly I would probably pass out which isnā€™t ideal but it doesnā€™t sound like anyone at OPs work has it to that level. But definitely agree they need a private non bathroom space to do it. One of the places I worked was really small and a coworker was pumping so our boss gave her her office to pump in. Maybe thereā€™s some sort of solution like that

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u/Practical_Copy1642 Mar 06 '26

you wouldnā€™t see the physical insulin pen needle unless you were breathing down their neck or within maybe a foot of them

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u/megjed Mar 06 '26

Well thatā€™s good. The only diabetic people Iā€™ve known have had one of those pump things so Iā€™ve never been around the needle

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u/Practical_Copy1642 Mar 06 '26

itā€™s so small! unless the person has horrible scar tissue and needs a longer one. but iā€™ve never seen the long ones in my 11 years of T1D. the gauge is also so small. I have a hard time seeing them myself sometimes! still painful but youā€™d have to try really hard to notice :)

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u/ImpossibleGeometri Mar 06 '26

Thatā€™s not really how it works for people with sincere fears. They know what it is and itā€™s causing a reaction.

None of the employees are wrong in this scenario, op OR those with fears of needless or medical anxiety. Hr needs to provide op with a safe sanitary private space.

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u/Scarlet10119 Mar 07 '26

Iā€™m sorry but a fear is absolutely not equal to injecting a life sustaining medication

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u/Practical_Copy1642 Mar 06 '26

thatā€™s not really fair to do to OP. when she is on the brink of seizing from a low, is she expected to make it to whatever place in time to treat the low, or is it just injection treatments that need to be hidden?

Sorry, but 99% of diabetics also have a fear of needles. we cope. if your fear doesnā€™t impact your health like that other comment said, then you can get over it when you maybe see her doing it once in a while. but like i said in my other comments, youā€™d have to be SO close to OP to see the needle. i have a hard time seeing it when iā€™m the one injecting myself. so fear of needles doesnā€™t really apply here. itā€™s too tiny

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u/LogicalEstimate2135 Mar 07 '26

There shouldnā€™t be any needles involved in a low unless the person is unconscious

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u/Practical_Copy1642 Mar 07 '26

duh

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u/LogicalEstimate2135 Mar 07 '26

Sorry just read it as sheā€™d need insulin going low lol

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u/Practical_Copy1642 Mar 07 '26

šŸ˜‚ lord no iā€™m not trying to kill her!

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u/Practical_Copy1642 Mar 06 '26

to add to that, if the thought or idea of a needle is enough for you to force a disabled person into a 5x5 supply closet turned ā€œsterile environmentā€, then you should really be seeking help inpatient somewhere.

0

u/Independent_Hand_699 Mar 06 '26

Iā€™m sorry, but this is an incredibly ignorant and ableist take. I agree with others that OP should be provided with agreeable, sanitary private spaces. Speaking as someone who both has a severe needle phobia and has to give myself injections (though thankfully at home only weekly), I can handle needles when properly prepared; however, if I were to walk into a lunch room and be caught off guard seeing someone injecting, my body would have an uncontrollable physical reaction and I might pass out. In fact, increased exposure from doing my own injections has helped with mental calm but does nothing for my bodyā€™s physical reaction. This has actually led to more instances of syncope because I ā€œfeelā€ ok to stand up when Iā€™m actually not. In a shared office environment, I would never want OP to be forced to use some unsanitary or uncomfortable space for their medical needs that they canā€™t control. I would also hope they would be considerate enough to not put me at risk because of physical reactions I canā€™t control.

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u/staccatodelareina Mar 07 '26

Literally just look away and be grateful all your organs work so you don't have to give yourself 10 shots a day. You're insufferable.

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u/Practical_Copy1642 Mar 06 '26

you clearly didnā€™t read any of my other comments. i said if someone has debilitating fears, then HR should include them in the resolution. fyi, crazy to call a disabled person defending another disabled person ableist. but i did get a good laugh out of it

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u/Independent_Hand_699 Mar 06 '26

You also said in a derogatory way that anyone with a phobia that causes a physical reaction should be in inpatient care. Defending one disability or being disabled yourself does not automatically clear you from being ableist toward others.

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u/Practical_Copy1642 Mar 06 '26

also, it is ableist of you to expect a disabled person to accommodate your inability to face your fears. Iā€™m scared of wheelchairs. do i expect everyone in a wheelchair to be accommodating to me and my fears, even if it inconveniences them? no, that would be ridiculous. but you donā€™t hold different actual disabilities in the same regard, clearly.

0

u/Impossible-Pie-4900 Mar 07 '26

your inability to face your fears

Being this reductive and dismissive of severe phobias/medical anxiety is absolutely ableist. It's astonishing to me that you clearly can't see that.

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u/Practical_Copy1642 Mar 06 '26

and iā€™m sorry you think needing inpatient therapy is derogatory. how sad for the people youā€™ve worked with. If a fear is controlling your life to the point that people need to be on eggshells around you, inpatient is a great resource.

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u/Independent_Hand_699 Mar 06 '26

I donā€™t think there is anything wrong with inpatient care. I think you implied it in a derogatory way.

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u/KittenHeartsGirls Mar 07 '26

Saying someone needs to be committed is a common insult. Being committed is still heavily stigmatized. Thatā€™s like calling someone big nose and then saying ā€œWow, itā€™s on you for thinking having a big nose is bad! It wouldnā€™t be an insult if you thought big noses were nice!ā€ You know you are being insulting. šŸ˜‚

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u/Practical_Copy1642 Mar 06 '26

no, you are putting words in my mouth. I was talking about the mental reaction. not a physical one.

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u/Independent_Hand_699 Mar 06 '26

Sorry, did someone take over your account to type, ā€œyou should really be seeking inpatientā€? And by the way, I am also disabled. Iā€™ve also worked with disability groups. I try to respect and recognize all disabilities. Maybe expand your world view beyond just yourself.

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u/plywrlw Mar 06 '26

Lol at you calling someone ableist because you think your phobia is more important than their life threatening condition.

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u/Independent_Hand_699 Mar 06 '26

Passing out and potentially injuring yourself or hitting your head on a hard floor can be extremely dangerous. And you seem to be reducing phobias to a silly little fear. Trypanophobia can be linked to PTSD and other mental health conditions that can be disabling.

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u/HugAMale Mar 07 '26

I think you are doing a lot of projecting. Several people citing stress and discompfort is not faint inducing phobia.

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u/plywrlw Mar 06 '26

You're really not seeing the irony huh. Like the other person says, if you're so badly affected that you can't just look away, seek help.

Or perhaps wear a safety helmet, it's about as reasonable an adjustment as what you're expecting diabetics to do for you.

1

u/KittenHeartsGirls Mar 07 '26

Leaving the cafeteria to inject yourself is not an unreasonable request when you are not in any danger. If you are actually in a medical emergency feel free to inject where you stand.

The only irony is you think being asked not to inject yourself in front of a crowd in the cafeteria is more unreasonable than forcing someone to wear a helmet 24/7 because you want an audience while you inject.

OPā€™s employer should provide a place for them to do their injection, but honestly injecting at your desk makes more sense than in a crowded lunch room. This isnā€™t the victim Olympics. No one is oppressing you because they donā€™t want to watch you poke yourself with a needle.

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u/apresledepart Mar 07 '26

Diabetics have a federal right to care for their disease anywhere and everywhere they are legally permitted to be. Including in front of other people. There is nothing shameful or sensitive about giving an insulin shot so no private room is needed.

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u/ThePolemicist Mar 06 '26

I don't know if it fits breastfeeding and pumping exactly because there are very specific laws in every state that protect breastfeeding. Most of the state laws basically say something like, women can breastfeed anywhere they have the legal right to be.

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u/InevitableRhubarb232 Mar 06 '26

That is the thing about the ADA. It only has to provide reasonable accommodation. It does not have to let you do whatever you want. So they can say that unless itā€™s an emergency, they canā€™t administer at their desk or in a common space with others around, as long as theyā€™re reasonable accommodation is to provide space.

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u/[deleted] Mar 06 '26

[deleted]

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u/MercyCriesHavoc Mar 06 '26

They meant in terms of legal protections and qualifying spaces, not medical necessity.

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u/grumpykitten79 Mar 06 '26

Legally they donā€™t have to do it privately at all!

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u/adrunkensailor Mar 06 '26

They meant itā€™s similar to pumping in that an employer is legally required to provide a private, sanitary, non-bathroom place to do it.Ā 

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u/grumpykitten79 Mar 06 '26

No legally he can inject in public

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u/CatLordCayenne Mar 06 '26

You can also pump in public. Just bc you can doesnā€™t mean you arenā€™t entitled to a private space if you want

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u/greenandleafy Mar 06 '26

It's legally similar in that my workplace is legally required to provide a safe, sanitary, private place for me to pump. The bathroom doesn't count. And if they don't provide such a space, it is within my rights to whip my boobs out and pump at my desk in front of my coworkers and the general public.

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u/1heart1totaleclipse Mar 06 '26

Thatā€™s what I was confused on. No place Iā€™ve worked at provided a private sanitary space for these things. Itā€™s either out with everyone or the break room that people use.

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u/greenandleafy Mar 06 '26

In the US it depends on the size of your workplace whether they are required to provide lactation rooms, but the actual act of nursing or pumping has heavy legal protection.

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u/XANDERtheSHEEPDOG Mar 06 '26

They are not the same; however, the employer still has to provide a place that is not a bathroom for the employee to inject. The biggest difference is that the employer cannot require the employee to inject privately, but must provide a private space to do so if it is requested by the employee with the disability.

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u/ArticulateRhinoceros Mar 06 '26

It's not just about sanitation, if OP's blood sugar is ever in the emergency zone, she doesn't have the time and may not have the ability to go to a secondary location. Symptoms of extremely high blood sugar include blurred vision, disorientation, dizziness, nausea and emotional dysregulation. It could put her safety at risk.

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u/Impressive_Duck_3569 Mar 06 '26

No local laws need to be consulted. This is covered by federal law - the ADA. Tell them you'll be glad to inject in the sanitary space they provide which should include: "whatever is necessary for you to inject safely." Frame it as your request for a "reasonable accommodation" under federal law. It's not a big ask, is certainly "reasonable," and (unless there are extinuating circumstances of which I'm not aware) an accommodation that they would have no legal reason to deny.

Definitely NOR.

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u/imleenz Mar 06 '26

No where in that text does it say go to the bathroom to do it

They just asked OP not to do it directly in sight of everyone else. Idk where they work but I imagine there's a hallway or their own desk or anything else besides right near the other employees or the food is located.

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u/GrinningCheshieCat Mar 06 '26

It doesn't matter. They can at best ask and try to work with OP to see if there is a way they can accommodate them that would make these other people less uncomfortable - but they can't tell OP to do it somewhere else.

Unless there is an actual danger associated with OP doing it in a public space, they have every right to do it there.

0

u/imleenz Mar 06 '26

OP wants everyone else to turn their head and not look but can't see the irony of themselves not just being able to turn around and face the other way ?

Or even saying hey don't look?

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u/FernandoNylund Mar 06 '26

Did OP say they care whether others see them administering their injections?

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u/imleenz Mar 06 '26

No but they did say they understand that seeing shots can make people uncomfortable.

They make that acknowledgement but have no courtesy for the others?

Obviously I'm not going to change how you feel at this point . You just keep moving the goal post. Have a great day friend.

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u/GrinningCheshieCat Mar 06 '26

If you don't like it, don't look.

They are legally allowed to take their medication wherever and whenever they need to take their medication.

I might be willing to accommodate if people are afraid of needles or whatever, but I'm sorry that my disability that I live and struggle and have to accommodate for every single day makes you so uncomfortable. But I am not going to typically take on further accommodations just to protect your sensibilities.

And again, fun fact: They aren't legally required to!

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u/imleenz Mar 06 '26

You must not of read my comment where I am also a user of an injection medication because of my disability that is life long and not curable but treatable through injection medication. I struggle daily and I'm not going to make others see me lifting my shirt ever so slightly to inject my medicine when I do.

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u/GrinningCheshieCat Mar 06 '26

So?

Regardless, OP is not asking anyone to do anything. People can turn away if they like or stare for all that matters.

That is perfectly within their rights.

If you prefer not to do it in front of others for their prerogative or your own, that's your business.

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u/imleenz Mar 06 '26

They're asking people to turn away. If OP is not announcing they are about to administer medication how in the heck are people supposed to even know to look away? In no way are they required to announce it but if they're capable of recognizing that it can make others uncomfortable is not a little bit rude to not even say hey look away if you don't wanna see this? Victim mentality can be dangerous. They want others to think about them but don't want to think about others.

Have a good day.

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u/LegHaunting9949 Mar 06 '26

NOR!!! Victim mentalityā€¦.What .. You clearly are not a Type1 which means you do not understand. We live with this everyday. Like you breathing. Wait but if your were a loud breather and it bothers me. Is it ok for me to ask you to breathe in another direction?because it bothers me no you would say that is stupid . No itā€™s rude, it is your personal space so you move. Having anyone dictate where or how I administer my ā€œHormoneā€ which keeps me alive, which everyone else produces but I donā€™t is ridiculous.

Op in order to survive this (life as a type1)emotionally,mentally,and physically you will learn to rise above the selfishness of the world we live in.

Stick to the good ones who understand your (1/4 in!)needle needs. Much love

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u/_teach_me_your_ways_ Mar 07 '26

Exactly. Itā€™s like saying ā€œIā€™ve had a vaccine beforeā€ Good for you.

Unless you have injections every day multiple times a day at any time then you very much canā€™t relate despite how much you pretend to while being evasive with what condition gives you oh so ā€œthe sameā€ experience. Not the same. Smoke and mirrors.

These people really think weā€™re dumb and going to fall for their bs.

They think being ā€œcommunity orientedā€ is harming yourself for them because ā€œoh, I donā€™t like it.ā€ Because the rest of us just love having diabetes and do this to spite you. Narcissists.

2

u/GrinningCheshieCat Mar 06 '26

Pretty accurate.

Having to inject something is different than having to properly inject insulin - which Type 1 Diabetics often have to do multiple times a day and often suddenly to offset rapid changes in blood sugar. It's a massive hassle.

Especially when you have to do multiple injections because you did not anticipate the sugar impact of something... Or your stress levels have spiked and are keeping your sugars high... Or you injected in a spot with possibly too much scar tissue so the full dose wasn't deployed. Or any of the other numerous and typically indiscernible reasons why your glucose levels aren't dropping to the required levels (which means multiple small incremental injections because if you do too much you'll hit hypoglycemic levels.)

1

u/imleenz Mar 06 '26

You obviously didn't read my comment where I am also a user of injection medication and have a life long incurable but treated disease. Take care.

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3

u/GrinningCheshieCat Mar 06 '26

They aren't. Turning away is their prerogative if something happens in public that they don't like to see.

If it is legally applicable anywhere else in public it is applicable here.

1

u/imleenz Mar 06 '26

If there's no announcement they don't know to look away ... Injecting medicine takes mere seconds.

Why admit it you can feel how it can make others uncomfortable but then do nothing in your power to make other not uncomfortable.

Goal post is still moving . Take care.

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5

u/FernandoNylund Mar 06 '26

And again, that's your preference and prerogative, which has nothing to do with OP's preferences or the law.

-1

u/imleenz Mar 06 '26

Dude . Our conversation is over. I'm replying to this person. Have a great day

1

u/FernandoNylund Mar 06 '26

Maybe a dark alley or stairway, right?

2

u/imleenz Mar 06 '26

Cause that's what I said. Step into any other available room for Christ's sake

When I have had to give myself injection medicine at my job I have always stepped away from the other employees

I don't want them to have to see it and be uncomfortable and I also don't want them to see me lifting my shirt up to inject it into my stomach

4

u/FernandoNylund Mar 06 '26

Great, that's your preference. OP has their preference. This thread is about federal law, which OP's employer seems to be very close to violating with these "reminders."

2

u/imleenz Mar 06 '26

Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades .

Also who's legitimate "preference" would be to take shots in front of a group? Lol have a good day.

1

u/FernandoNylund Mar 06 '26

I said they're close, but to me it sounds like they're already in violation.

Again, preferences are irrelevant. What matters is what the employer must allow under federal law. Because, at least for now, we still have the ADA.

2

u/LoftyDreams7473 Mar 06 '26

Perhaps they don't have another room. Not every office space is the same.

-1

u/imleenz Mar 06 '26

It's just a big open space area? There is no separate break room/ office area ? According to the OP in their replies on another comment they're "all over the building" and "can't always make it back to their desk" for injections.

Sounds like you're just trying to think of any reason to defend just not taking a few steps away from people trying to eat. It's not a huge ask. There is nothing illegal being said.

2

u/FernandoNylund Mar 06 '26

There is nothing illegal being said.

The communication mode is problematic, at minimum. OP says one "correction" was in front of other people. This one was a text, which is also questionable judgment at minimum.

1

u/feathersmcgraw24601 Mar 06 '26

Maybe you could use your neck muscles and turn your head when they do it? And maybe while you do it you could thank your lucky stars you don't have to inject yourself multiple times a day to stay alive?Ā 

2

u/imleenz Mar 06 '26

Could they then at least let people know to turn their head the other direction ? And no sorry I only inject medicine once daily and another bi weekly to be able to eat food lol I guess that's not sick enough for you folks

I just realized what comment of mine your replying to ... I WAS TALKING ABOUT GIVING MYSELF A SHOT AT WORK AND HOW I TURN AWAY FROM PEOPLE SO THEY DONT HAVE TO SEE IT!! .. Jesus

6

u/feathersmcgraw24601 Mar 07 '26

Apologies, I misread the comment. However I stand by that they shouldn't have to step into another room, neither should you. We both have medical conditions, and while it's your preference to go into another room there shouldn't be an obligation toĀ 

2

u/imleenz Mar 07 '26

Apologies accepted.

I agree there should be zero obligation too but like I told someone else who dragged me for finding the OP slightly in the wrong and over reacting .

If someone tells me they're uncomfortable with something I can prevent and it's as simple as turning around or even saying "hey look away", I have zero problem doing that. I don't want my existence to cause anyone any sort of discomfort. I don't feel like someone not wanting to see someone give themselves a shot in the middle of a crowd and around food rude. I don't find having care and respect for others around you to be a bad thing. The other person explicitly told me their only concern on a day to day basis is their own comfort, that baffles me. We are all on this earth together at the end of the day and selfishness as a whole is why the world is the way it is now.

I hope you have a great rest of your day!

0

u/dontletmedown3 Mar 06 '26

Iā€™m sorry what? You went to the bathroom to pump!?

4

u/coyotewildheart Mar 06 '26

With my first, I was uneducated in the laws around it, and working for an olive garden. They made me pump in the break room with a mess of other people's stuff, food, and other employees coming and going. Its been about 13 years now so im not going to make a fuss about it but they made it so uncomfortable I decided to quit and stay home with the baby because of it. Luckily at the time I had a partner that didn't mind supporting us.

3

u/dontletmedown3 Mar 06 '26

Totally hear you. I always advocate for breastfeeders. Iā€™ve been feeding from breast for four years total and thereā€™s zero reason anyone should be in uncomfortable locations to pump or feed!

2

u/MercyCriesHavoc Mar 06 '26

Where did they say that?

2

u/deathbylasersss Mar 06 '26

" Bathrooms are prime for catching infection. "

"This happened to me when I was breastfeeding a baby and had to pump while I was at work."

Right there.

2

u/MercyCriesHavoc Mar 06 '26

Two different paragraphs. There was a statement that bathrooms are unsanitary. In a different paragraph, they said they had the same situation as OP when they were pumping and the place legally had to provide them a clean, private room. They did not say they pumped in the bathroom.

1

u/deathbylasersss Mar 06 '26

Maybe I misinterpreted, but it was very ambiguous. Without clarifying the context of what "this happened to me" means, it could go either way. You are correct that they didn't directly say that.

1

u/Ramuh Mar 06 '26

Lol also looks like your shooting up h in the toilet

1

u/Apprehensive-Cat-111 Mar 07 '26

My first thought was when I was breastfeeding. Employer HAD to provide a safe clean place to pump milk.

1

u/throwaway8373469238 Mar 07 '26

How are they going to get an infection in a bathroom? By putting the needle down? Wouldnā€™t you just not put it down then..?

1

u/Ausgezeichnet63 Mar 07 '26

We had an empty office for breastfeeding. I imagine this person could probably use such a space as well.

2

u/apresledepart Mar 07 '26

This wouldnā€™t work if it were also occupied by pumping mothers several times a day. Type 1 diabetes emergencies donā€™t happen on a set schedule. It would have to be somewhere that was always available or reasonably expected to be available.

1

u/Ausgezeichnet63 Mar 07 '26

Good point. I didn't think of that.

1

u/Ok_Impression8506 Mar 10 '26

no one at her company told her to use the bathroom!! everyone keeps mentioning that lol

1

u/babyelephantwalk321 Mar 06 '26

HR's text says nothing about the bathroom. Just go somewhere private. That could be a board room with a door closed, hop into an office, etc. OP is making the request much more dramatic than what they have actually been asked by bringing bathroom into it.

3

u/LegHaunting9949 Mar 06 '26

Point is. it should not be an issue period. He does not have to go anywhere. By his rights.

-1

u/VinceP312 Mar 06 '26

I shot up drugs in my arms for years. The needle isnt getting dirty from the air. Lol.

You guys are hysterical.

4

u/lampd1 Mar 06 '26

ah look out - we got a real health expert on our hands here

-2

u/VinceP312 Mar 06 '26

Where's your empathy?! šŸ„±

5

u/lampd1 Mar 06 '26

In this context you deserve none. Seek validation in counselling.

-2

u/psychophant_ Mar 06 '26

I mean public restrooms at airports, restaurants, etc have insulin needle deposit stations IN THE RESTROOM. Have you guys been outside ever?

3

u/lampd1 Mar 06 '26

Lmao so because the disposal is there, that's where you should do it? Do you stand right by the trash/recycling can while eating food or drinking a beverage? Have you used your brain ever?

0

u/JayyMuro Mar 06 '26

They didn't say to do that, they said a private area which isn't the main areas which could be your desk or a ton or other places.

0

u/No-Mycologist-8465 Mar 06 '26

HR didn't suggest a bathroom in this text. There are other private areas in an office.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 07 '26

[removed] ā€” view removed comment

1

u/AmIOverreacting-ModTeam Mar 07 '26

Your comment has been removed as it was deemed uncivil, or crossed the line into abusive/harassing language. While /r/AmIOverreacting has a generally high tolerance for heated discussion, we ask that your comments contain substantial, on-topic contributions to the discussion, and don't contain flagrantly abusive language that muddy the waters and prevent further helpful discussion from occurring. Political/racial/cultural conversation is also removed when it's out of hand.

-1

u/nooniewhite Mar 06 '26

The only thing Iā€™m thinking about the bathrooms is thatā€™s where are the needle disposal boxes sisal are. I know also that the department of health doesnā€™t or allow any injections in a dining area (nursing homes/congregate living spaces at least, Iā€™m not sure if workplaces would be different)

Iā€™m sure they would be required to have a clean space for OP. I do not think places where people eat is appropriate due to blood borne pathogen exposure IF something happened with the needle or if they had to finger stick (Iā€™ll bet they have an implanted glucose measuring device, but for others at least)