But they sent my area to a different building.
I’m at a place I don’t know, surrounded by people I’ve never met, and as it happens food I can’t eat.
I’m not allowed to leave.
I’m supposed to feel appreciated.
Go to the bathroom and “get lost.” You’re in a strange place. It’s plausible. Slip out a side door and leave.
They mean well, but these things can be such bullshit. These days, I just thank them for the invitation and send my regrets. If they want to make an issue of it, they can be my guest. The fact is, they need my autism (to show diversity and disability in the workforce) as much as I need their job, so neither of us is going to make a fuss.
Leave. If your boss/manager/whatever starts to make a fuss, “I noticed you weren’t at the lunch”, lie and make a fuss right back, “I was in the bathroom chundering my guts out for two hours. Did anyone notice that?” and take the next day off sick with an unspecified illness. Your boss/manager/whatever will be so embarrassed, and unconcerned for your welfare, that there will be no repercussions.
the title made me think this was a steamed hams shitpost until I looked at the community
At this time of day?!
Are they paying you overtime? No? Leave.
Oof, this hurts hugely, I’m so sorry that you are in this situation :(
I feel you. Our team potluck (Small team of people I am comfortable with) was canceled. Instead we have to go to the corporate office and have a pizza party with a bunch of people I don’t know.