Question:
Has anybody else noticed that once you lose weight...
That all of a sudden you're a "better employee"? I JUST received a promotion and pay raise. My job hasn't actually changed they just said they are recognizing just how good I am. ??? I've never had a promotion before and find it interesting that all of a sudden NOW I get one. Also, my boss told me how proud he was of me for doing such a great job and (this is a direct quote) getting into shape. I wasn't sure if I should be flattered or if I should smack the snot out of him. I have mixed feeling about the promotion. I KNOW I deserve and and I'm happy for the money..etc. But I also feel really said that the only reason I finally got what I deserved is because I lost nearly a 100lbs. — SJP (posted on May 11, 2004)
May 11, 2004
The exact same thing happened to me. I was told that my losing weight
showed that I was more mature and more responsible. Therefore, that made
me a better employee and made me supervisor material. Now my boss wants to
take me to all of his meetings with him. His colleagues tease him about
how he can't go anywere without me.
— THE NEW M.
May 11, 2004
I think a lot of it comes down to we are happier with ourselves and proud
that we took this drastic step to save our lives. It was not an easy
choice and one we could have died from. Many times losing the weight helps
self esteem and therefore we maybe come off better to our employers. I was
fortunately always recognized for my abilities and talents and compensated
and promoted accordingly. However, I have had people say that I am just a
happier person now. I can do so many things in life and with so much less
effort that I guess it just spills over into all aspects of my life. I am
not a better employee now but a more content one. Then again, if I could
figure out how to still get paid and shop all day that would be the ideal
jon for me. LOL Can you say clothesaholic! I actually don't mind trying
stuff on etc. because I know it will fit and it will look good. That's a
real boost to the ego. I know I dress way better most days for work, which
automatically makes them think of you as more professional material.
Fortunately I work for the state and legally they cannot say anything about
what you wear unless it's indecent. So even when my wardrobe was sloppier
because I wanted to cover the fat, they could not factor it in and
fortunately did not. But I'm sure the fact that I look more professional
most of the time has not gone unnoticed. WLS has many many positive
effects in a person and that is why I will never understand why employers
and insurance companies cannot see the benefits of allowing people who
truly need WLS to have it. All the way around everyone benefits. A
healthy employee is at work. A happier employee wants to be there and
enjoys new challenges. Some day maybe they will all figure it out.
— zoedogcbr
May 11, 2004
THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME!!! I am always getting comments on how proud
my supervisors are of my weight loss and how "cute" I look now!
My executive director even had the nerve to say she was happy I was using
the extra money to start dressing better!
UGH!
Erinn
-75#
— Erinn D.
May 11, 2004
I know I am a better employee for loosing all the waight becasue I can now
do more. I can get on the floor with the kids and play with them instead
of sitting behind a desk all day. Also the raise in my self confidence
allows me to interact with the parents and other staff better. While I do
not get a reaise for any of this, I do notice better reviews for my
performance review.
— Heather M.
May 11, 2004
I do agree I'm happier because I do feel better. However, my work
performance has always been head and shoulders above my co-workers. Don't
mean to toot my own horn but the truth is I worked much harder than anyone
else in my group and I find it somewhat insulting that it took a
significant weight loss for my bosses to recognize that. I should say that
I work in a male dominated field and all my bosses are male.
— SJP
May 11, 2004
I BETTERED MYSELF!!! I was the one who felt better enough about myself to
go out and find a job I like. I AM a different person than I was 121 lbs
ago, because I actually like myself now. I dress better because I can find
nice clothes that fit. Unfortunatly obesity is something that many people
discriminate against. And we all know that. Is it right? Absolutely
NOT!! But, it's a fact of life. The best thing you can do for yourself
is, let it go. Stop harping on how people treated you then, and how they
are treating you now. Don't give so many people so much control over your
life. You are wasting a lot of valuable time being angry for what other
people say. Enjoy the person you are now. And let everyone see what a
lovely person you are inside and out. We are different people now, at
least I believe I am. I show a lot more confidence in myself and my
abilities, and I believe that's what shines through more than my physical
being. Don't give me flack, it's just my opinion for what it's worth.
ENJOY YOUR LIFE NOW!!!! Stop being angry!!
— KellyJeanB
May 11, 2004
I know that since I've lost 130 lbs, I am more eager to participate in team
meetings and meet people I've never met before. I've also been accepting
invitations to after work gatherings - happy hour, golf tournaments (though
I HATE golf) and other team building activities. I haven't gotten a
promotion since my WLS, but I know that my extra participation is making me
a better employee. Congrats on the promotion.
— Yolanda J.
May 12, 2004
Yeah, I got a promotion and raise (TWICE!!) last year too. I am treated
MUCH differently now that I'm smaller. I go on more appointments outside
the office. However, I'm also in Sales so looks are VERY important. But I
was also told by someone just yesterday that they feel that before surgery
I was just doing an "OK job" but after surgery I had a new fire
lit in me and I did a better job. Maybe there was a difference that I
didn't see.
— Patty H.
May 12, 2004
Sadly, yes, I've noticed this, from more than one set of supervisors in
more than one job (yo-yo dieting gives one a lot of personal empiracle
evidence to work with). My performance ratings are often a function of my
weight, at least, at the margins. Of course, we all know that employers
only remember the last two months' worth of work before the evaluation was
written, plus any spectacular screw-ups during the previous year. But
steady, good performance is beyond remembering, unless of course you were
thin while doing it.<P>Bah. They don't realize they're doing it.
It's sad, but you no doubt deserved this before because of hard work, and
now you're getting it because of hard work. Don't put down your
accomplishments just because they've got a 'lil size discrimination issue.
:-)
— Suzy C.
May 14, 2004
I actually am a better employee. More energy, less ill days. I can get
more done in less time. I have a more upbeat out look on life. I am less
depressed. So, even tho I have the exact same job, I do more with it. So
any raises I get I attribute to me doing more to earn it. It isn't always
discrimination.
— **willow**
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