A Vegan’s Duty: Calling Human Resources
Being vegan has made me hyper aware of messaging about veganism in our society. This messaging is both direct and indirect, and can touch on dietary choices in general, our treatment of animals, or any of the other factors that drive people to be vegan.
A recent experience at work illustrates this, and demonstrates the importance of speaking up. Below is an exchange between myself and the head of our regional human resources department:
Dear ______,
I was completing the workplace harassment compliance training, when I was surprised to learn that my answer (option B, below: “The lecture to Shelby on why she shouldn’t be a vegetarian”) was wrong:
I am vegan (not vegetarian). I know these terms (along with “plant-based”) are interchangeable to some, but they are not synonymous.
What many don’t know is that to be “vegan” is to renounce all animal-derived goods and services, including (but not limited to) food, clothing, toiletries, etc. It is a belief system that guides one’s values, choices, and actions in the same way religion does (there is often a spiritual component to it). Summarizing it as merely a dietary preference is an antiquated notion. For many, being vegan is nothing less than a moral imperative.
I do appreciate the steps _______ has taken to offer more healthful, plant-based foods in the employee dining areas. But for someone to lecture a co-worker on why they shouldn’t be vegan (or vegetarian) would be callous and disrespectful, and should not be acceptable in the workplace. Having this example in training material practically grants permission for such behavior.
I find that more and more, people are respectful of veganism — even curious to learn more about it. And although veganism not yet protected by Title VII in the US, it may one day be.
I was delighted to hear back within 24 hours:
Appreciate your feedback, Diane.
I will share the feedback you provided with the Talent Development team and the vendor we utilize for anti-harassment and other training modules. I believe it’s good for the vendor who creates trainings for us and many other large company clients to understand how this specific example may be unintentionally upsetting to individuals.
It’s a good first step. My guess is that there’s someone, or a team of someone’s, who create HR training material for countless corporations who don’t have veganism on their radar. And that’s okay, I imagine they’re having a hard time keeping up with the plethora of Sensitive Topics these days. But it is on their radar now.
It is my duty as a vegan to take that first step, as it is also my duty as a vegan to have on my radar opportunities such as this to inform and educate others in a way that is thoughtful, fact-based, and non-judgmental.
Time to wrap this up, friends arriving soon for holiday weekend dinner. I’ve been doing this for years, and they keep coming — even though the dinners became vegan four years ago. I don’t tell guests they should be vegan, I don’t mention over dinner that they are eating vegan (though they do know). As long as the food is delicious and the company good, they are happy to participate — and leave the party with a happy memory, and nothing to say but positive things about vegan food. That’s a first step all vegans can take.
