Practice Management Alert

Question: I’ve noticed a lot more people seem to have food allergies. What do I, as a practice manager, need to do to accommodate any employee allergies and help everyone feel safe and welcome?

Minnesota Subscriber

Answer: Incorporate these three tips from Kara McCartney, an independent consultant focused on messaging and automation in Washington, D.C., who previously worked as marketing associate at ZeroCater and contributed to its blog.

1. Make questions about food allergies part of your hiring protocols, McCartney says. You don’t need to ask while you’re interviewing people — that could be construed as discrimination, depending on the prospective employee’s answer. Instead, make it a regular question as you’re orienting new hires. Don’t ask casually as you’re pointing out the employee breakroom and kitchenette — ask about food allergies in writing so you have the answers in writing, too.

2. Keep all of your team’s food allergies in one place, she adds. If you’re ordering in for a staff lunch or planning a team holiday party, having any and all food allergies easily accessible and in one place will make it much more likely that you’ll be able to accommodate everyone successfully. As all medical professionals know, food allergies can constitute an emergency, not simply a nuisance, and having the information at hand will make any extracurricular planning more comprehensive and easier, as well.

3. Remind employees to update you if they develop a new or different food allergy and establish a protocol for asking for and recording updates, McCartney says.

As food allergies can develop at any point in life —  and seem to be increasing in frequency — make sure your employees are willing and able to update you so you can do all you can to keep the office safe and not accidentally alienate any particular employee.