Fattism rife in business

Overweight job seekers
Unfortunately it is not illegal to discriminate against people who are overweight. Just as it is not illegal to discrimanate against the narrow-minded, prejudiced so-called 'professionals' who discriminate against overweight people - despite corporate equal opportunities policies.

Making a selection decision on items other than the contents of job description and person specification is utterly reprehensible.

Just remember - Hitler was a non-smoking, teetotal vegetarian.

Fattism rife in business
Yes I would agree with the report! My husband, bless him, is a super-sized man. He has lost approx. 5 stone to come anywhere near what employers are looking for and still his age and obesity are a factor to him not getting a management role.

He is more than qualified and experienced to run a company standing on his head with his eyes closed. BUT because he doesnt fit the profile of 'management image', he is not even considered after interview.

Over the telephone he is well received, but when he doesnt fit the profile/image when interviewed face to face, then consideration is taken away on that only.

He is desperately trying to loose the weight, but what is not understood is that food can become a 'fix' to someone, just like drugs or alcohol, but without the fuzzy head as it were! He has taken redundancy 4 times so far, as a manager, he understands that sometimes it is for the company good (especially when in an expatriate environment).

So carry on Personnel Today and shout out for the discrimination against BIG people. Peoples' perspective has to be changed from somewhere and if it needs legislation, go for it.

Obesity and discrimination
If this discrimination is so widespread, why are we not seeing organisations being taken to employment tribunals?

I suspect that this is one of those situations where the subjective judgement is hard to prove.

To offset this problem, perhaps employers should do more to encourage weight loss and healthy eating for its employees - particularly those in sedentary occupations, who are most at risk.

What about shortism?
There is equally compelling evidence that "short" people are passed over for promotion etc.... However, I try to make up for it with my "extrovert and engaging" personality.

Indeed, if I think about it very carefully....we could probably all discriminate quite succesfully against most people......"I didn't trust him, his eyebrows were too close together"....."He had a bigger than normal head"........."She just looked strange".....and in my case -"He was just too cock-sure".....

I find that developing a set of coping strategies or developing other aspects of ourselves can successfully miitgate against "discrimination".

Cheers, Hugh Davenport
Occupational Psychologist &
Senior Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour