Bias gets worse against overweight women

May 29, 2008 by Jim Giuliano

Posted in: Hiring, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, Managers, Supervisors, Terminations

“Lose weight or lose your job.” That’s what one woman heard from her male boss. And there was nothing illegal about the order. At least two studies suggest that more and more women - and more than a few men - have been hearing statements like that at work.

The publication Obesity reported that discrimination based on weight went up 66% in the last 10 years. And the International Journal of Obesity reports that discrimination in hiring and promoting the overweight is far more common than, for instance, race discrimination.

That’s probably true because there are no federal laws banning weight discrimination, unless a person’s weight causes a recognized disability. (Some cities and a few state legislatures are pondering proposals that would place weight itself in a protected category.)

Researchers say there are a lot of reasons behind the discrimination, usually based on stereotypes such as “they’re lazy” or “they lack self-discipline.” Plus, many bosses get caught up in the fitness craze and let it show in how they manage people.

For a cost of $32, the full study can be downloaded at the Obesity Web site.

Tags: discrimination, international journal of obesity, obesity, overweight

5 Responses to “Bias gets worse against overweight women”

Teresa Hubbard Says:
June 13th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
I have been a proponent that this silent discrimination has been in the workplace for several decades and it is more prevalent in the recruiter-type office (think Randstad, Manpower, etc). As a seasoned executive assistant (25 years) with excellent skills and dynamic references who has been overweight my entire life I have experienced what I considered this very type of discrimination. I have even considered taking my resume and putting my cousin’s name on it (who is size and sending her in for an interview to the same job just to prove it was happening. It was apparent at several of those kind of interviews that as soon as the “recruiter” saw me in person, their perception of my fit for the position changed - even though we had very positive phone conversations leading up to the in person interview. Thanks for bringing this topic to the forefront.
Jan Silvenmyer Says:
June 13th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
From the HR or Recruiter perspective:

There is a perception that overweight people are lazy and therefore poor performers and have attendance issues due to their medical problems. And in my experience - i have seen this. I do not agree with this nor do i think that all overweight people are like this but, this may be why they are discriminated against.
Jean Says:
June 16th, 2008 at 10:54 am
When I started in HR/Office Management I was not over weight but after working 50+ hour weeks for years (+ a two hour commute), dealing with unending stress, coming in early, staying late and skipping what use to be walking lunch hour I have definitely put on the pounds. I know some employers are even charging more for insurance if you are overweight (they pick a percent breakpoint). I say fine, you want to charge me more for my coverage. I will get here at 8:30 and leave here exactly at 5:00 with what looks like a cattle drive out of here and hit the gym. Just don’t expect me to get the same amount of work done!
I’m sure I spend more on my wardrobe than the rest of the women in my office because people perceive heavy people as unprofessional. I know today I wouldn’t be hired for the position I hold due to outward appearances and they would loose out on a dedicated, loyal, hardworking, intelligent women.
R. B. Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I have been on both sides of this issue in that I’ve been very overweight during parts of my life and now I am not. I believe this kind of bias exists, particularly in regard to women. For some reason, a man’s appearance is not “held against” him to the same extent as a woman’s. I have 20+ years of experience in HR, I too have worked the 50+ hours, dealt with unending stress, coming in early, etc., and it does impact a person’s health, lifestyle and weight. I have been upset when a hiring manager has given me a bunch of stupid reasons concerning why he doesn’t want to hire an overweight woman when she is obviously the most qualified applicant for the job. It’s unfair and wrong and I think people should be protected against such discrimination. Unfortunately, it may take making it illegal to finally make a dent in this particular prejudice.
C.K. Says:
November 10th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I am obese, I was rarely out due to being obese. Oddly enough, since the Lap Band Surgery I had 10 months ago, I am down over 70 pounds, but am using my sick days, as I have to go to see the surgeon every month, along with my regular doctors. I am missing more work than before!

With that being said, our company is generous with benefits, and we do not discriminate due to obesity. Our insurance plan is large enough that individual claims or health issues do not play into our premiums.

We have instituted health and wellness plans here at work with voluntary participation.

I must be a rare obese woman. I rarely had any issue with finding a job whenever I was out of one, maybe its not so prevalent in the larger cities than in the smaller ones.