Diabetic employee took an insulin shot at work after his blood sugar spiked. Minutes later, HR texted saying it made coworkers 'uncomfortable'
'This causes stress and discomfort for other people. I had several people mention this to me,' the text from HR read
An HR manager made a baffling request of a diabetic employee (u/MeanderingDragon), asking him to take his insulin injections somewhere private rather than at his desk. A rumpus of opposing reactions has erupted ever since the Redditor posted a screenshot of their message in a March 6, 2026, Reddit post. Never did they expect that the injection would be met with criticism, all because it made the co-workers uncomfortable. The post has since gotten 21,000 upvotes.
Apathy or blatant ignorance?
The employee identified themself as a Type 1 diabetic who requires five to eight insulin injections each day. On the day in question, however, the company hosted some snacks as part of an “employee appreciation.” When they realized their glucose levels were getting too high, OP took an insulin shot, grabbed some breakfast, and returned to their desk. What OP never expected was that HR or their colleagues would create a fuss out of this. When they received this unsuspecting email from HR, OP was certain that it was their own ignorance, not something they were to be blamed for.
Please be 'private'
“I know I’ve mentioned this several times, when administering your insulin shot, please do so in a private area, not in the main areas. This causes stress and discomfort for other people. I had several people mention this to me,” the text read. They called out the message, pointing out several inconsistencies that were not only unjust, but also inaccurate. For instance, the HR mentioned that they had communicated the same thing to OP several times, but it was barely once when they scolded them on the same matter about two to three years ago.
'Go to the bathroom which only gets cleaned twice a week?'
“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?” the employee reasoned, adding that people need to cultivate more understanding and acceptance. "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,” OP reflected. They also pointed out that the workplace did not have a first-aid room, leaving them without an obvious private location for administering their medication. Still, having been ostracized by the co-workers, they wondered whether they were overreacting or expecting only what’s right and fair in the situation.
Against the law
The employee's situation also raises questions under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits companies from displaying any discrimination against employees with disabilities, including diabetes. According to the act, employers may need to provide a private area or necessary accommodation to help the employee test their blood sugar levels, take insulin shots, or have medication.
'There should be a fridge to store your insulin too'
Meanwhile, Reddit readers slammed the company for willful lack of cooperation and a stubborn lack of understanding for its own employee. u/anneofred commented, “Let them know if they are ready to provide a quiet, clean space that isn’t the bathroom you’re more than happy to use it.” u/Outrageous_topic_879 said, “Legally, they should have a space for mothers to pump. Could you not go there? There should be a fridge to store your insulin too if needed.”
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