Most employers describe themselves as “Equal Opportunity Employers” and have various clauses on workplace ethics that do not discriminate against a person on the basis of gender, sexual preferences, ethnicity, religion etc. But few mention anything on size discrimination.
We like to believe we live in a Utopian world where everyone is always fair, especially at work. But what happens when reality slaps you in the face and you wake up to discover you’re being discriminated against because of your weight. In fact, many plus sized people are denied “Equal Opportunities” because of their size. Employers have been known to have a preconceived notion of plus sized individuals not being able to carry out jobs that involve physical work for example. On other occasions, they do not hire the person because they believe a BBW woman will not be able to interact with the public well enough or because they simply do not want a “fat woman” to represent them.
While these notions may anger you, this does happen. Prevailing cultural attitudes towards being overweight often affect an employer’s rational and fair judgment, and this needs to change. “One study cited in ‘Tipping the Scales of Justice: Fighting Weight-Based Discrimination’ found that 16% of employers admitted they wouldn't hire an obese woman under any conditions. Another 44% reported they would only hire them under certain circumstances,”says Tolerance.org.
photo by sheasphotos
If your workplace makes you feel discriminated against because of your weight, you should take it up with your employer because as BBW Magazine puts it, “As a plus-size woman, you deserve to work in an environment free of overt and covert prejudice.” It is important that your employer and all those who work with you understand that diversity training also includes training people to be sensitive towards the needs of plus sized individuals.
A New York based non-profit organization – Council on Size & Weight Discrimination works “to change people's attitudes about weight. We act as consumer advocates for larger people, especially in the areas of medical treatment, job discrimination, and media images.” It has a number of points of interest listed under their ‘We Believe’ section and probably the most important point we need to understand and educate others about is that “prejudice based on weight is no different from, and no better than, prejudice based on skin color, gender, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.”
NAAFA or National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance describes itself as “North America’s oldest civil rights organization working to end size discrimination.” It encourages ordinary people to get involved in the cause by donating, becoming a member, sharing your story or becoming a part of the movement. The website says that “Highly productive and qualified individuals are regularly, underpaid, limited in career advancement, denied benefits & terminated due to their size.” Jamie Ferguson’s story definitely seems to support NAAFA’s claim. No matter what part of the world you are in, this page is worth having a look at to understand weight discrimination in the workplace.
NAAFA hopes that federal anti- weight discrimination legislations will be in place soon. At present however, Michigan is the only American State prohibiting discrimination against overweight people. Some American cities have relevant laws too. Washington DC has a Human Rights Law which includes “personal appearance” in its protected categories. San Francisco’s Human Rights Commission added “weight and height” to the municipal code to ensure that programs, services, and facilities would be accessible. Santa Cruz has a municipal code on discrimination which includes “height, weight, or physical characteristics” as protected categories.
While these organizations are based in USA, and the laws too are US-based, it is important that we take a stand. No matter which part of the world we may be in, we all may have been a victim of size discrimination at work at some point. It is important we educate the world about size discrimination and sensitize them to the effects of their discriminatory behavior. Laws are important but what use are they if attitudes don’t change. Cultural attitudes towards BBW women and plus sized individuals need to change and people need to stop assuming that “She’s big because she’s lazy and eats junk all the time”. It’s not always true!
You have just as much right to get that job as the equally qualified thin girl who went in after you for the interview, so you should be given a fair go. Start your own movement against weight discrimination. Take action and BBW Magazine has some great tips how! Get active, get involved and you could be the change that many have been longing for.
photo by dbking
Have you ever been discriminated against at work because of your size? Do you have any tips on how a BBW can handle size discrimination? Leave us a comment and tell us your story.
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Gee......and not one BBW or BHM in that photo! Nothing against Americans but aren't there similar studies in Australia or other countries? A comparison or acceptance levels between various countries would be an interesting study or discussion topic. As for hints and tips...if you're going for an interview dress appropriately for the job your going for but always look smart and clean and neat and tidy. Take some extra time with hair and makeup - not too overdone though. Be confident and try not to be too nervous. Having said that, I'd tell exactly the same thing to anyone going for an interview regardless of size. If a skinny girl came to me for a job in the office looking like she was dressed to go to a nightclub, I'd be saying thanks but no thanks...next!! That's if I was making the decision based on looks alone.
I am from Oz and unfortunately it happens here too. I have been told by a number of agencies that I would never be employed front of house, PR etc because of my size. Big business wants an attractive look when people come to visit. I now have worked my way from office management to business analyst and meet with people all the time, from all levels of the 'food chain'. I always dress very well, and get comments every day, but I still think that as a size 26, I have to work harder and make sure people know what a good job I am doing in order to be recognised. I can't just make my skirts shorter and my tops lower cut and tighter to get the attention. I like it this way though. A lot more satisfying knowing that everything I have achieved is because I have worked bloody hard and not because I look cute!