Since as far as we know the OP's discussion did not involve or even mention the offended party, they have a piss poor case of harassment since nothing was directed at them.

This sounds dystopian and sad. You made me feel glad I don't live in Australia :/

#24 in Australia you are not correct, if your discussion is overheard and offends a coworker, and then they tell you it offends them, that was your last chance. Intent is irrelevant in harassment.

So if I tell you that speaking in general makes me upset, you must remain silent for the rest of your life?

In return, wouldn't eavesdropping be considered just as offensive. I don't doub5lt that there is a work harassment law, but I highly doubt a person can label something offensive without good reasoning and a HR / lawyer would actually take it seriously. That would be an easy way to manipulate people of people can just go "that offends me" and have the topic banned in the workplace. Harassment and finding something offensive are two very different things. If I was a boss and I found out one of my employees used this law in a way that without a doubt seems unnecessary I'd probably fire them for causing unnecessary drama/conflict in the workplace. Unless the comment was aimed at the offended, they should have no right to hold the topic over.. the speaker. they should be doing their job and not listening on other people's conversations.

I'm an incredibly liberal person and don't tolerate bullying or shaming of any kind, but this is just ridiculous. OP posted this because it is a legitimate FML and issue. She doesn't need to apologize, the co-worker needs to stop being so sensitive. We are allowed to discuss our lives, health, and even just issues in general, regardless of how sensitive they are because it's how we learn and engage. Censorship is not a good thing, it hinders the flow of information and ideas. I may disagree with what you say, but I would never restrict your right to say it and expect an apology. I'm sorry, but if you get offended because people are discussing participating, achieving or having something that you yourself would or cannot do, that's your problem. It's like talking about your puppy and then someone getting upset because they don't and/or can't have a puppy themselves. It's whining, grow up, not everything is fair, welcome to the real world.

No. You are allowed to discuss yourself with a co-worker about a completely normal and harmless subject without being told you're rude or insensitive. OP wasn't discussing anything improper. The co-worker was listening in on someone else's conversation and is so self centered that they somehow made it about themselves and decided to be offended. That would be like me, who is extremely short, getting offended because some people were talking about how long their legs were. And I can't change being short at all. Yes, weight loss can be difficult for some people. However, if they're getting offended about a conversation that had absolutely nothing to do with them, that is their oroblem. The world is not supposed to mold itself to your wants. You learn to live in it and if you have personal issues, you do something about it. You are your own responsibility. Not mine, not your neighbor's, not anyone else. Yours.