Called into HR

Conclusion and edits added.

I’ll attempt to keep this short and sweet.

I started my journey with Semaglutide on 10/27/24, (I started at 205.9) and so far I’m down 20 pounds. I’ve attempted to cut massively down on my food consumption at work (work events, meetings, ect) and I felt I was doing really well avoiding pitfalls of drinking soda and energy drinks and sticking to water as well.

Today, out of the blue I am told by HR that I need to come in for a meeting after 12 pm (my anxiety already spiked just because Monday meetings typically are for firing or write ups, and I was given zero context on what this meeting would be). Turns out, a good chunk of my co-workers (8 people) have reported concern about me possibly having an ED (Eating Disorder) since I have made changes and don’t partake in the habits I use to. I was honest and said I have made changes to assist in lifestyle changes, but I am mentally doing well. I did not share that I was on Semaglutide, I felt I did not need to.

I am really conflicted on how to feel. I know a part of me should absolutely thrilled that I have a group of people concerned for my well being, but I do not want this to become an issue. Has anyone else faced this issue, or how would any of you go about this? Any advice and insight is appreciated, thank you!

The aftermath: Thank you all for your input, it is incredibly valued and appreciated. I apologize in advance for the book.

I reached back out to HR to get some follow up questions, and they were kind but they did give me some harsh truths. They explained it as that due to my work there is a concern for my mental health and physical health (for context, I work with aggressive kids/teens/and occasional adults with a pension to attempt to hurt me daily; best I can describe it is my company takes in all of the people that no one else can, or will take due to safety reasons, or the kid’s pending felonies or other charges.) I know my job is not for everyone, but it is a passion for me.

Due to many factors, stress is always running high for one reason or another in general, this past month has been due to injuries, illnesses, and as a community and company we lost a dear client and no one has taken his death well, including me. So… a lot of people in my company have had medical emergencies on floor like seizures, fainting, and other medical conditions. Some have also just broken down because of stress, this results in people quitting without notice, taking time off/calling out, shutting out friends, behavior changes that are short and angry, you get the gist).

Due to all of the recent stress piling up, they wanted to make sure I am taking care of myself, and not neglecting myself; the weight loss was a concern, and my coworkers didn’t know how to bring it up without sounding like the “body police/body critics” and how do you have that conversation in general? They didn’t want to offend me by point out that something is off with me.

This got me thinking, I have made more changes than just the weight loss. I’ll explain… Typically, no one sees me eat, because I eat in my car and take my lunch completely away from the building— it helps me separate, de-compress, and I don’t want to be that person that eats broccoli in the break room. I know not everyone does appreciate the smell, and it’s not how they want to spend their lunch break. I now realize this change was kind sudden. I also no longer sit down with coworkers in the break room to eat or otherwise. I can see where there were signs, and frankly, I had my head shoved pretty far up my own rear that I was going through the motions of my job. I didn’t let the mask drop while at work, I felt my emotions of namely sadness, and grief served a non-productive place at work.

I did ask HR to please inform those who addressed their concerns that I am fine.

Edit for more context: I am 34, and most of my coworkers are about ten years younger than me; additionally, I am in mid-tier management with 4 years at this company under my belt. Some of my coworkers who work closest with me are about to hit one year within the next few months. I believe this plays a factor in how they went into HR with their concerns, not only because of the age factor but the question of how to talk to someone in “management” (I use it more as a air quote, because I don’t feel I am management. A lot of stuff goes into this, but the easiest explanation is I feel it’s my length at the company has allowed me places of advancement where the newer hires haven’t gotten to yet). I have to remind myself of how I would have handled this in my twenties had the roles been reversed; I do not believe I would have done anything differently than they did. It’s scary enough to watch someone struggle, let alone talk to them about it… especially when it comes to navigating office politics and socially awkward situations.