Seen first hand-- weight can influence hiring decisions

I'm so disgusted. I'm an HR Manger. I was interviewing two people for a position with another manager. Candidate#1 was a good interview, until she told us about her serious attendance issues. (Ugg) Candidate #1 was overweight- slightly obese. Candidate #2 was super shy, didn't do well at selling herself etc, but had a great attendance work/record. She was super-morbidly obese.

I sensed from the interview that the other manager (an athletic toothpick) had an issue with #2's size. Well in discussing who to hire, that manager kept making reference to #2 not "just fitting in" and then he even expressed concern about her size because the work space is small and her movements are slow. ummm... We're office workers, we're not jumping hurdles!

I would have taken the second person to avoid dealing with the #1's attendance issue. This whole thing makes me wonder if I've ever be judged by my weight in a hiring decision. I feel for candidate #2. But the sensible side of me also knows there would have been logistical challenges with #2. But as a 'reformed' fatty; almost feel like I've "betrayed my people" if that makes sense.

I know that if that other manager's bias wasn't there, this would have turned out much differently.

I totally understand the feeling that you've betrayed your people. And I totally believe that weight plays a part in hiring. Years ago my own DH told me he thought it would be hard for me to get a job doing the receptionist work that I was doing at that time because of my weight.

"I don't think a lot of companies would want someone your size out front as the first thing everyone sees." It hurt. But I knew he would be right in a lot of cases.

That's what bothers me when people tell those here without insurance to just get a job at Starbuck's because their insurance covers it even for PT folks. It's not a bad plan but, honestly, I have never seen a really MO person working at one. And I go to a lot of them because I have a coffee addiction.

It doesn't happen everywhere but it sure does happen. To some we are less of a person because we are simply more person.

I worked at Starbucks for five years with a BMI of 50+. It was all about attitude!

Oh I'm not saying there have never been any MO people working there. The mere fact that you can't throw a rock without hitting a Starbucks pretty much assures that point.

And I have seen some heavier employees and some that would be obese by the standards we use.

I don't think it's Starbuck's itself. I think the job is hard on your body. I worked at Target when I was MO. Standing and walking on those concrete floors was a ***** The combo is pretty much what ruined my feet.

It wouldn't surprise me that there are managers that look at the MO person and think that all that moving around each other they have to do behind the counter would be hindered by them. Whether that would be that big of an issue or not you know someone is thinking it.

Do you know... I've never once thought of this... but I can't remember ever seeing a SINGLE obese person working at a Starbucks.  I've seen people tattooed up the wazoo, people with pink hair, piercings, 'regular' people, a middle aged person or two... but NEVER a 'fat' person. I'd notice, because they are 'my people'! Now I'm disturbed by that. Truly.  Hmm.   

I can totally relate and know that it happens everywhere. I know I am totally treated differently now when I go shopping, I don't know if it's as much the weight loss or the confidence I have now. I like to think it's because I hold my head up a little higher :)

I can COMPLETELY relate. The law firm I'm currently working for has offices all across the U.S. and has a pretty good reputation. Three years ago I interviewed with the very same firm and with the very same HR manager. At the time, I had 20 years experience as a legal secretary and paralegal doing large multi-party litigation. I was more than qualified for the posted position. The HR woman I interviewed with was and is . . . well, skinny, white and very interested in appearances. When we spoke on the phone, she was very impressed with my qualifications and couldn't wait to get me in for an interview. Once I appeared for my interview, she immediately cooled. I was 252 lbs. and a size 20. I wore INC and Jones New York suits and was always very well dressed. Nevertheless, she never called me back for a second interview.

Cut to four months ago - I had lost about 70 lbs by that time and interviewed with the same HR Manager. She SWORE that she had never interviewed me before - she said "she would have remembered me." She was impressed by the dress I was wearing and kept complimenting me on my hair cut and professional appearance. She hired me on the spot for the job. I just KNOW the reason I was rejected three years ago was based solely on my appearance.

It's just kills me to no end that people are still so shallow. Grrr.

Agreed! MY mother had RNY done 15 years ago and since then has excelled to a corporate position with her company she currently works for...the opportunities never knocked on her door like that prior to surgery!

Me on the other hand...My husband is getting a job transfer in a couple months so we will see how my transition goes. I am currently 2 weeks post op revision to RNY!

Crazy how it goes sometimes, disappointing.

Thanks for sharing that experience. I think it is helpful for everyone to remember that there are real stigmas around weight (most are unconscious, of course). Many people assume that heavy people are lazy, unmotivated, or undisciplined...when in fact, heavy people have probably dealt more with setting limits and self control than anyone could imagine!

I am in the process of interviewing for a new position, now, and I thank god every day that I am going in as a size 10 for these interviews, and I hope that my appearance will not be an issue during my interview process.

Many years ago I was interviewing at different companies trying to find work and I actually had a few different interviewers make comments about me not being able to physically do the job (even though I was only interviewing for office jobs). One woman said "you do realize you will have to bend down to pick up files, do you think you could handle that?" I was so angry. It took me 6 long months to find a new job and I know in many of the cases my size played a role in my not getting the job. It's sad that people assume obese people are lazy or stupid or anything else other than obese. I have met plenty of skinny people that are lazy and horrible workers. I have always been a very hard worker and it was their loss by not hiring me.