It is very common for companies and schools to reward employees and students for good work or wrap up the year with a potluck or a catered party. However, these events often exclude those with dietary restrictions or preferences.
Those who have genuine dietary restrictions like allergies or chronic diseases should not be disregarded when their company or workplace brings in food for the employees. It would be one thing if they asked the person to find an alternative list of options they would enjoy for any event and refer to the list when needed. Instead of this route, some companies choose potlucks to be more inclusive. However, this is also flawed because the person with the dietary restrictions might bring the only thing they can eat but are expected to share with coworkers. Companies often say that it is too much effort to cater to everyone’s whims, and while I can see their point, it is the lack of any effort that aggravates me. Suppose the company were to find a catering service that could accommodate most dietary restrictions that would show effort. Instead, they tend to choose what is cheap or easy without thinking of how it comes off to those who would like to enjoy an event with their coworkers who have to go out of their way to buy food for themselves.
Even well-known dietary restrictions like peanut allergies, celiac disease, or lactose intolerance are overlooked because they pose extra work to accommodate. Those who do not have restrictions do not consider how people who live with the conditions have to do extra work on a daily basis just to survive.
It is not just bodily restrictions that should be taken into consideration for events, religious dietary restrictions, especially those that are not Christian, are even more heavily excluded. Chosen restrictions like vegetarianism, veganism, pescetarianism, etc. may be annoying to hear your coworkers brag about but all are valid choices a person can make for themselves and should be respected. Some companies say that they do include vegetarian people or vegan because they offer salads which is the most minimal effort to accommodate restrictions.
If company and school events would put in more effort to include all dietary restrictions, I think it would boost morale and inclusion for the company or school.