Question for ya

Hey all, Well, I home (briefly) from the writer's conference this week, and I've been asked to submit an article to a businesswomen's magazine regarding weight in the workplace. I'm hoping ya'all can help, lol. Both men and women can chime in here. Here are the survey questions, you can reply here or email them to me. No names will be used in the article, but please let me know in what type of industry you work: 1. What were/are your top 5 frustrations with being overweight in the workplace? 2. What have been the top 5 advantages of your weight loss as it pertains to your work environment? (Or, if you're pre-op, what are you looking forward to?) 3. If you would like, please share a personal story (remember, no names will be used unless you ask me to) that relates to one of the above questions. 4. What would be your top 5 suggestions to women who are struggling with weight related issues in the workplace? Please feel free to add any comments, suggestions, or personal stories/tips you would like. Also, if you would be open to the possibility of having your before/after pictures in the article, please let me know. (This is NOT a requirement) Though this is not a faith-based article, please feel free to comment in that vein if you wish. Here's a chance to make our voices heard! Thanks so much everyone! Blessings! -Perry 358/325/272/210 Perry P. Perkins Christian Novelist Just Past Oysterville: Shoalwater Book One Read chapter one - (www) perryperkinsbooks.com

Perry, 1.) Top 5 frustrations of being overweight in the workplace - similar to the frustrations of being overweight in the rest of the world. a. You have to be twice as smart, and work twice as hard for any kind of recognition or promotion. I read an article a while back that clearly stated that fat people made 10% less on average than "Average" sized people. b. Company functions are designed for "average" sized people. Do they think I want to torture a horse by riding it, or appear in a bathing suit at a water park? c. When the company awards shirts for occasions, the largest size is 2x. Great, maybe my boyfriend can wear it. d. Those tiny little tables in the break room with the seat attached to the table. e. "Why aren't you married?" - more on this one later. 2. I feel that I am taken more seriously now, as the weight loss progresses. Because I have been there for many years, they are aware of my capabilities, and I have never cowered due to being MO, but I do feel more respected now. Also, my facility is relocating, and I have opted not to go and I feel it will be much easier to find another job as a "normal sized" person. 3. referencing 2b - Our company gave all employees a shirt for XXX000 hours of work with no lost time due to injuries. Our safety manager is EASILY a size 6X, yet the largest size they offered was a 2X. I would expect more sensitivity from a fellow MO person!!!!! referencing 5b - At a social occasion, many years ago, a single friend and I were chatting with some coworkers, and one of the sales managers said to her "why aren't you married yet?" knowing that I also was not, yet didn't ask me the same question, as though the answer were obvious. 4. Don't be timid just because you are MO. If you allow it to happen, you will be shoved into the shadows and virtually ignored regardless of your skills. I am only 3.5 months post op and not near goal yet, but I really feel the WLS has made a difference. I have been very open with everyone about what I am doing and why and have had no negative feedback at all. I've been very verbal with all levels of management about the benefits, including that I feel it will be easier for me to find gainful employment when my facility closes. Well, hope this helps. PS - I almost didn't recognize you from that picture!