Mentally Unfit To Be A Manager

(I have been in my new job for about a month. Everything has been great, but one morning my boss pulls me aside after a meeting.)

Boss: “I’m shocked at how inconsiderate you are of [Coworker]’s mental illness. It’s very important that you accept it.”

Me: “I… I didn’t know she had a mental illness.”

Boss: “You should have!”

Me: “But, neither she nor anyone else has told me. How was I supposed to know?”

Boss: “Isn’t it obvious!”

(He turns around and looks at Coworker. She notices and waves back. He waves, too, and mumbles “riddled with it.” He then demands I go over and apologise. I do, and she looks at me confused.)

Coworker: “What are you going on about?”

Me: “[Boss] said I wasn’t very considerate towards your mental illness?”

Coworker: “I don’t have a mental illness!”

Other Coworker: “Maybe he means the other thing?”

Coworker: “Oh, probably. He is quite stupid.” *to me* “I was diagnosed with HIV five years ago. I don’t usually spread it around, but I guess [Boss] outed me!”

(She seemed it high-spirits, even laughing at Boss’s blunder. I wish I had that kind of understanding, as I probably would have quit.)