Obesity Discrimination?

[Loosehead]

Do ABers think there is discrimination in employement against Obesity as reported in the news recently?

[Dakota]

I am an employer and I don't consider this factor when interviewing, but yes, I daresay there is discrimination to a certain extent.

[smudge]

I was watching a programme about this, whilst doing my ironing yesterday -that's my excuse!

Personally, I feel that if an obese person has a physical job, but huffs and puffs and it's patently obvious that they can't keep up with their colleagues, then they shouldn't be allowed to continue doing the job - especially if it hinders productivity.

If on the other hand, an obese person is doing clerical work and doesn't need to move around much, then I can't see why they can't stay at that place of work.

Fortunately, I have never had a weight problem, but do sympathise with anyone that has, be it medical or otherwise.

[january_bug]

In certain industries, I suspect there will be, yes. You certainly don't see many girls over a size 16 working in fashion retail (well, at least in the shops aimed eclusively at the under 30s then!). My friend is a musician and recently was in a pop video for a song that is now top 5. She was made to feel fat because she is a curvy (i;.e., busty!) size 12.

I agree that where physical demans are part of the job, then it seems only fair to demand someone who's phyiscally capable of it (this does not just apply to obesity, but to other physical traits that might hinder someone in their work).

I don't know if there IS discrimination in sectors besides those I mentioned, but I wouldn't be at all surprised. I know that some male employers are paranoid about taking on particularly busty or otherwise attractive ladies for fear of looking at them and then finding themselves before a tribunal! I also know that some female interviewers are reluctant to recommend prettier candidates as they feel threatened by them. Therefore, I think that discrimination on the basis of looks DOES occur, and whilst the clinically obses may be victims, I don't think they're the only ones.

[Miss Zippy]

In client/customer centred jobs or professions, I certainly think there is discrimination. I've seen numerous job candidates overlooked because they didn't 'look right' (not necessarily due to being overweight) and it was obvious where I used to work that those of us who 'looked right' were passed the more lucrative cases and/or higher profile clients.

[metagirl]

unfortunately most probably for all the reasons already mentioned. being physically attractive at work does have its advantages - you just get treated better - when I was straight out of uni and rather perky and pretty I noticed I got a better reception at job interviews and at new jobs.

[smudge]

I have to say that when I was interviewing people, I can remember one particular instance when a young girl walked into my office and I knew immediately that she wouldn't be suitable for the job.

She wasn't obese, but had made no attempt to look smart and presentable. She turned up in a crumpled old jumper that looked as if it had just come out of a spin dryer, her hair was scruffy, she had last nights makeup on, her shoes were scuffed/unpolished and her teeth needed a dam good clean. I can only imagine what her work and desk would have looked like.

She had all the qualifications, but so did many other smarter applicants - needless to say I didn't engage her. You could call that discrimination, but she wouldn't have fitted in with out corporate image.

[smudge]

*our

[Kirki]

I once worked for a jewellery shop and got the job coz i had the "right" image. i was told by my colleagues that another, slightly plump, woman had applied for the job (same qualifications + more retail experience than me) but they did not employ her as she did not have the right image! cruel eh!

[january_bug]

smudge - presumably though, an obese woman with immaculate self-presentation would stand a much higher chance than a "perfect 10" who looked like she'd spent the night on a park bench! In which case, you were (quite rightly) discirminating on the grounds of effort made... and good for you too! :-)

[Chillum]

We all make instant judgements on people by their appearance, whether we're aware of it or not. An obese person will be judged by some to be lacking in self-discipline, self-motivation and self-respect. I'm not saying that it's right, I am saying that it's a fact. And some people/employers will deem that if those are factors in your personal life, then you will carry them into your proffessional life.Being obese leaves you open to all sort of disatvantages...so why does it seem to be so prevelant?

[smudge]

Thanks jan_bug.

You're absolutely right - I engaged men & girls of all ages & sizes. One particular women was, I would say, a size 20 (not what I would class as obese). She was very smart & presentable, intelligent, eloquent, computer literate & capable of carrying out all her duties efficiently.

On the other hand, had she been a size 10 & appeared as the woman I mentioned in my last post, she wouldn't have been suitable.

I've come across a few 'overweight' people in my time, who are far nicer & much more capable than some 'slim' people I've known. To me, it's all down to presentation & being competent within the work place.

[Oneeyedvic]

Yes we make an instant judgement, but despite the popular adage, I believe most people do think twice. If you see a black person approaching you in a dark alley who is 6ft6ins and 16 stone, you would have certain thoughts. If he then opened his mouth and spoke with a plummy accent, you would automatically change your thoughts.

Whilst discrimination occurs, and I doubt anyone denies that, it is also important to realsie that a lot of people who feeel discriminated against are highly unemplyable for a variety of reasons.

I am of Asian origin and am overweight. Personally I feel that I have never been discriminated against, and any job which I applied for and didn't get, was down to the fact that there was someone better suited.

[WoWo]

Well I'm obese (21 Stone) and went to an interview today. Seemed to go well and I'll hear back tomorrow.

If I get the job great, if not I'll claim it was because of my weight :)

[Genesis]

The case I heard was of a man who had been in his job for some while and was doing it well, but was then told his image didn't fit because of his weight. He was offered help to lose the weight but, quite rightly, he didn't accept. I think he got side-lined and didn't get any chance to go for promotion. To pick on someone in this way is definite discrimination and I can understand why he felt aggrieved.

[stevie21]

I think it's quite easy to see people who are very noticeably overweight as not in control of their own bodies and (by extension) arguably not in control of their work lives. I'm not saying that fat people can't work, just that if you overeat then you could be inviting *more* negativity.

I'm happily evil and I'd discriminate against fatties given half a chance. If I was to offer a job to one of 2 "high fliers" and one was a big fat dude and the other was someone who jogged 10 miles every morning then I'd think that the sacrifice and jogging represented more motivation and drive than the other guy with the doughnut.

My tune on this topic has changed dramatically recently but *all other things being equal* - I'd employ the skinny guy. Aside from the above psychological argument, the skinny chap would be less likely to suffer ill health and take time off work.

Discriminate. It's good for the economy.

[Oneeyedvic]

personally speaking, I'd think that the jogger was an unsociable person who had problems integrating. Sociable people who want excercise tned to go for group exercises eg gym, football, rugby etc.

He would also be far more prone to sports injuries, and would probably want to take time off when there are marathons and races.

;-)

[Brinjal]

My eldest daughter is quite a large girl but is very clever dresses well and can present herself well. She has never had a problem with employment and is at 25 very rapidly climbing the corporate ladder. I wish I earned a fraction of what she does. I tink the overall apperance is what counts.

[sarahbowen82]

Working in recruitment, I have come across time and time again, employers 'secretive' disrimination. We are told in a 'nudge nudge wink wink' kind of way the type of person who fits into their organisation. Saying that though, I would link obesity to laziness / lack of drive, and I think this is generally a true assumption for many.

[atolhurst]

From an HR perspective, obesity is a concern due to the potential absenteeism to think about should the employee develop an illness which may be brought on by their weight.

All the chaps I employ undertake medical questionnaires which, when consulted, we can go on to refer to an occupational health specialist if we feel the need.

However, all of this costs money so some employers may be discriminatory towards obese people, simply because of the costs associated with investigating the problem (especially if the people in question are candidates rather than potential employees).

The MD of my company is a huge chap so he understands and supports the measures taken in order to avoid being biased.