Working in a gluten environment with coeliacs

[Lenabeana]

Hi all,

I’m currently waiting for the results from my coeliac screening and have typical symptoms and multi vitamin deficiencies so expecting a positive result.

I’m most nervous about telling my employer what is going on because I work for a company that specialise in pie making. 
 

I spend the majority of time in my office away from production, never come into contact with flour etc and if I’m handling pies for whatever reason I wear gloves and other PPE equipment.

If my results are positive is it something my employer could fire me for because it’s an uncontrolled allergen environment? (they have to declare may be traces of all allergens) 

And does anyone else have any experiences of what it’s like to work in a gluten environment?

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @Lenabeana!

Because you do not work in the production area of our company, I do not think you have cause to worry about gluten exposure. I would not overthink this if I were you. Worst case scenario would be needing to wear a KN95 mask if there is enough suspended wheat dust in the office air to cause a reaction. Take one thing at a time. Focus on eliminating gluten from your diet to begin with as that presents plenty of challenges no its own.

[cristiana]

Hi @Lenabeana

Welcome to the forum, but I am sorry to hear you are in this situation.  However, I agree with Trents, this is definitely a case where you need to take one step at a time.

I am not sure where you live so I can't claim a knowledge of your national employment legislation, but re: your boss firing you because of an allergy, have there been other incidents in your company or in the press? 

That aside, I would have thought, the way you describe things, you should be well placed to stay in your work.  The level of exposure, esp. with a mask, would I imagine be pretty how. Although I am not sure if we currently have any bakers on the forum, what we do have a lot of are people who shared domestic kitchens, and some fare very well.  I am one of them.  I have also met a few caterers who seemed to be able to stay in their jobs, so I am sure with the right precautions it is doable.

One thing I ought to point out:  whilst gluten has the potential to make you very unwell, it is an autoimmune disease.  It isn't actually an allergy to gluten or an intolerance.  The body's immune system attacks itself when gluten is eaten.  Ths causes damage to the gut and means that the body can't properly absorb nutrients from the food you eat.  

Keep us posted.

Cristiana