Question:
What do employers think about hiring obese individuals?

   — kathy S. (posted on July 6, 2000)

July 6, 2000
Kathy, Thanks for posting this information! I have experienced discrimination in the work place due to my weight and it is not something that is recognized by government agencies because it is viewed as a "choice" and not a disease! It helps ME to know that I am not the only one! Again... THANKS! (297 to 234, 14 wks post op, Open RNY, 63 lbs gone BYE BYE)
   — kimberly1224

June 16, 2001
Its ashame that Obese people face discrimination very openly. Could you imagine Jay Leno making fun of someone for being in a Wheelchair or being African American, there would be protests and outrage. But yet he can make fun of Obese people nightly and nothing is done. People can get turned away from jobs, harassed on the streets, and discriminated by medical professionals for being obese. But if you did those same things to a handicapped person its breaking the law, which it should be. But, the thing that needs to made clear is that discrimination in any form, whether its color, sex, age, handicap, sexual preference, religion, OBESITY, or any other ones that I forgot is WRONG! Five years ago I, at a size 18, was hired for a job and was hired at $1 less per hour than a friend of mine, who was a size 7, made.
   — [Anonymous]

June 16, 2001
Michigan is the only state that specifically prohibits discrimination based on weight in employement. (Michigan Handicappers Civil Rights Act) Even the Americans with Disabilities Act has waffled on whether obesity is covered. I agree. Making fun of fat people is not funny. I boycott comics who do. Martin Short has a new character that he pads up for. Yet, if he put on black face, the ruslt would be an uproar. No, it is not right that these things exist. Unfortunately, the only vocal advocate of stopping this type of discrimination is a man who is a joke himself, Richard Simmons. I would rather have someone who isn't so, well, effeminate, be my champion, but I will take what I can get. For his years of work, he deserves recognition.
   — merri B.

June 17, 2001
When I graduated from college 13 years ago my instructors told me I would have trouble finding a job because of my weight. Now mind you I did find a job immediately but not in my setting of choice. I believe that on interviews that I have been on if I had been a skinny minny I wouldve had a better chance of being hired. right now I don't care because first off I am on my way to a healthier life and I had pretty much found my dream job!!!
   — Dawn H.

June 17, 2001
OK, since I am the Human Resource Manager and a morbidly obese individual, let me answer this one again...I always look for a fat person...they usually work twice as hard to be thought of as half as good and are usually willing to do it for less money because their self esteem is generally low. Actually, I go out of my way to give ANYONE a fair shot at the job. Size isn't as important to me as grooming. I won't hire a slob: usually indicates sloppy work habits. Anyone can be clean and neat. Howza 'bout that?
   — merri B.