Someone found our site by typing in "can't get job because of weight".
Automatically I pictured a big company denying an overweight candidate. Companies looking to save money (health insurance) might prefer their employees to be fit and in shape but being in shape doesn't guarantee better job performance. A company might miss out on an excellent employee by discriminating against their weight.
This reminded me of an instance where someone's weight did not decrease their job performance.
Last summer, I went to the Health Department in NYC for fingerprinting. The man in charge was overweight by at least a hundred pounds. But his method and efficiency caught me by surprise. He got me out of there within a few minutes and was really nice to everyone else before me.
Based on my experience, I've worked with other overweight people over the years, I haven't seen a decrease in job performance because someone was overweight. If anything they seemed much more enthusiastic about their job and performance.
Do you think a person's weight is a reflection of how they will perform their job? Have you or someone you know been discriminated against because of weight?
healthkicker.com
Comments (18)
Thanks for posting this! :) I don't think it's an indicator at all. People tend to think it is, even if it's just subconsciously, and studies consistently show a LOT of bias against overweight people in the workplace. They don't get put in customer service jobs, they don't get promoted, etc.
I agree with ^
I think they've done research and the whole company thing was that companies don't like hiring overweight people because of yes, health benefits, but also because overweight people apparently don't perform as well. I have no idea how they got to the conclusion but there ya go.
I think they should hire people on their stats and accomplishments. The only thing aesthetic wise they should really look at is if the employee to be looks like they care about appearances enough to look professional.
not all the time
I think so. My "brother" is overweight and today he was having chest pain and playing it off at work and one of his co-workers caught him grabbing his chest and told on him. He works in an industrial job, so I can understand why. They don't want anyone falling or getting stuck in a machine, (like my "brother" would fit anyways)
I think that it COULD make a difference in their performance.
Well of course it depends on what your job is but most of the time it shouldnt matter but it does.
I mean they're arent gonna hire an overweight person to a gym even as a door greeter, much less a skinny person as an expert on where to eat lol
Good ol' jolly fat people. I don't think it's an indicator, but most jobs put emphasis on how you look.
"Do you think a person's weight is a reflection of how they will perform
their job? Have you or someone you know been discriminated against
because of weight"
Definitly no : wieght has nothing to do with the performance (except for fireman or job like this, where people have to be in good form of course, not skinny, not too fat).
I am skinny, and I have obese friends, we both have qualities and defaults, but we all have something we are good at, and both had worked at several jobs, undependingly on our weight.
When I was working for elections -prepare all the paper to send to people for the goverment which is a physic and hard work since we have to achieve it really quickly, standing up during around 12 hours a day during 2 or 3 days, on the garage of the Préfecture -, my equipe was compoesed of me, an obese women, a grand ma'', and two "normal weight" people. We were the second most performent equip ! A lot of people were astonished to the that (funny ^^). So, it really depend on people, on the type of work.
Depends on the job. If they just have to sit around all day, I find it's not really that big of a deal.
fat=lazy
It depends on the job. A weight loss company isn't going to want to hire an overweight person; it's not very good advertising. For most other things, it probably doesn't affect job performance. But it might affect insurance, so I can understand why some companies have policies regarding weight... it's about money.
What about public relations? Consciously or not, people judge you on your appearance.
I think it depends on the job and really, the personality. Sure, some people might judge by the weight issue, but if some skinny bitch comes in acting, well, bitchy, then she probably won't get the job. it's how you portray yourself...but yes, i do agree that there are some people out there who judge based on weight. it's sad really.
@deprivation_now@xanga - Fat in no way is equall lazy. I'm fat and I've worked my ass off in all the jobs I've had. I know a hell of a lot more "skinny" or "fit" people who are the laziest people I know. Jeez, talk about ignorant.
It depends on what line of work you're in. Usually, in a workplace where you need to be fast, overweight people can't keep up as well. I work at a fast food restaurant. It's close quarters and we have to work FAST! Regardless, one of our managers is really overweight and he's very efficient...and the sweetest guy you'll ever meet.
@peacelove__CALLIE@xanga -
So could a very skinny person's weight. If a female is so underweight (anorexic, bulimic, etc...) that they are so weak from not eating.
how do you think a person GETS fat?