New hire eats carnivore diet, faces grilling from coworkers: 'Whatever he's trying to do clearly isn't working'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Apr 30, 2026 9:15 AM EDT

Work is not the place to criticize lifestyles.

A simultaneous benefit and drawback of the average workplace is that it often brings together people who would not interact otherwise. While spending eight hours a day around somebody with whom you have nothing in common can be painful, it can also offer a good lesson in how to build bridges and work as a team, no matter what the circumstances may be.

However, this scenario can only work out if you make the effort for that to be the case. Sometimes, a person will just be a bad coworker and somebody who it is not worth wasting time on; other times, though, a little friendliness and sensitivity may go a long way in creating a great colleague. The key is to go into the relationship with a positive attitude, even if it seems difficult.

Sadly, not every coworker is willing to look past their differences when it comes to building rapport with those they work with. At best, this can be a minor inconvenience, but at worst, it is the sign of an employee who is not doing their job properly. It is vital to be mindful of how you speak to people in the workplace.

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  • One female and two male coworkers sit together in an open plan office, having a discussion
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    One female and two male coworkers sit together in an open-plan office, having a discussion

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • In this story, a woman was taken aback by how some of her colleagues had been speaking to their newest employee. He was somewhat socially awkward, and this meant that some on their team didn't like him so much.

    They had found out that he ate an almost exclusively carnivorous diet, and this led to a judgmental conversation in which multiple people chastised him for his food choices. 

    The woman felt that, irrespective of their personal opinion, they should not be talking like that to a colleague. She commented on their behavior, but she didn't think that she went far enough.

  • My coworkers interrogated a new hire about his diet—I might've lost my marbles

    I have witnessed a truly wild conversation amongst my coworkers today. For context, the new hire that got questioned is a little socially awkward, so unfortunately parts of the team aren't too keen on him. However, he has never done anything to anybody and regardless of how odd you are, you still deserve to be respected at work.
    via pxulinemxrie
  • One of his quirks is that he eats meat almost exclusively. As far as I'm aware this kind of diet has gotten pretty popular amongst certain sub-cultures online, and for all I care anyone can eat however they want. Even if I may deem it a little weird personally. Not my
    via pxulinemxrie
  • money, not my body, not my business. Unfortunately the team does not seem to share my opinion, because I have just witnessed two of my coworkers "confronting" him about his dietary choices. By that I mean not just asking
    via pxulinemxrie
  • A fork holding a piece of steak above a plate with a medium-rare steak on it
    via Karolina Grabowska (Unsplash+)

    A fork holding a piece of steak above a plate with a medium-rare steak on it

     

  • him why he eats the way he does, but rather telling him that he needs to stop because he's "so boney and skinny, whatever he's trying to do clearly isn't working". Mind you, none of us know whether gaining muscle really is a goal of his.
    via pxulinemxrie
  • I have a huge issue with commenting on people's food choices and bodies. I do not care if someone eats too much, too little, too healthy, too unhealthy, or if their body is too small, too big, too muscular or too fat. I am a firm believer of never commenting on this, especially when the person is practically a stranger (again, he doesn't talk to us much).
    via pxulinemxrie
  • I did say something about this to the coworkers overstepping, but honestly I was so shocked and confused I couldn't phrase my "comeback" as well as I would've wanted to. Leaves me with a big feeling of WHAT THE FUCK
    via pxulinemxrie
  • Two male coworkers sit together, one holding papers and the other a laptop as they have a discussion
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Two male coworkers sit together, one holding papers and the other a laptop as they have a discussion

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • bigwhiteboardenergy Report the conversation to HR
    via bigwhiteboardenergy
  • Glass_Chip7254 I've had a colleague who bullied me constantly and made out that I was mean for not bringing cake and chocolate into the office. I am lactose intolerant and took no cake from anyone so doesn't make sense that I have to bring it when it was being used to drive a wedge between me and the rest of the team
    via Glass_Chip7254
  • Otherwise Nothing_53 Good on you for pushing back. That's such an overstep.
    via Otherwise_Nothing_53
  • Professional Bread 176 It's astounding how many people think it's totally OK to confront co workers over their personal habits, which do not affect them in any way. Also, what kinds of idiots would bodyshame a co worker for their size or lack of it?
    via ProfessionalBread176
  • The very best kind of idiots, apparently. The real issue here is that once HR gets involved you will all be sanctioned and sent to "groupthink" sessions where you will get to know these morons even more closely, which will make you actually hate them...
    via ProfessionalBread176
  • Sensitive-Club-6427 Diet is such a personal thing. Unless someone is exhibiting an eating disorder, mind your own business
    via Sensitive-Club-6427
  • These Painting_3456 People like your coworkers irritate me to no end. Like they don't have enough going on in their own lives that they have to harass someone else. Sounds like they need more work to keep them busy instead of nosing in someone else's. We have people
    via These_Painting_3456
  • like this at my job, and when they get ignored or people don't engage in their games, they get angry. I get it but then I don't get it. I was raised to mind my own business unless I see someone in distress.
    via These_Painting_3456
  • Optimal_Law_4254 If you're the supervisor ask/tell/make them stop. It's none of their business and is harassment. If you're not the supervisor then have a chat with the supervisor. I wouldn't let it go.
    via Optimal_Law_4254
  • You can also suggest that the new person should tell them to stop and use very specific words like, "please stop being confrontational about what I eat. While I appreciate your concern, it makes me very uncomfortable."
    via Optimal_Law_4254

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diet employee new hire coworkers carnivore workplace meat
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