No Obese Employees Allowed
According to the experts, overweight and obese people have faced discrimination in the workplace for years, whether they’re overlooked for raises and promotions, or simply not hired in the first place. One hospital in Texas is taking the bull by the horns, and blatantly saying: If your body mass index is 35, which is five points above obesity, don’t bother to apply, because we absolutely won’t hire you. Which means, for example, they won’t hire a man who’s five foot ten and weighs 245 pounds, or a woman who’s five foot two and weighs 190.
Why? They say it’s because healthcare workers should project the image of health and that obese workers send the wrong message, and can negatively impact patient health. After all, if you’re being told to exercise and lose weight, but the doctors and nurses treating you aren’t following their own advice, you’re less likely to do it. Obese workers also cost more when it comes to insurance, sick time, and productivity.
But is it legal to discriminate against someone based on their weight? In most places, the answer’s yes. At this point, overweight people are not legally protected from workplace discrimination.
Unlike discrimination based on age, race or religion. The only exceptions are Michigan, and scattered cities, like San Francisco, Madison, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C. The Citizens Medical Center in Texas isn’t the only company jumping on the anti-obesity bandwagon. 87% of large companies say they’re adding or strengthening programs to encourage more health-conscious behavior and more companies are imposing penalties on employees who don’t get with the program.
So, what do you think? Should companies be able to refuse to hire you because of your weight? Share your opinion at Facebook.com/JohnTesh.
Why? They say it’s because healthcare workers should project the image of health and that obese workers send the wrong message, and can negatively impact patient health. After all, if you’re being told to exercise and lose weight, but the doctors and nurses treating you aren’t following their own advice, you’re less likely to do it. Obese workers also cost more when it comes to insurance, sick time, and productivity.
But is it legal to discriminate against someone based on their weight? In most places, the answer’s yes. At this point, overweight people are not legally protected from workplace discrimination.
Unlike discrimination based on age, race or religion. The only exceptions are Michigan, and scattered cities, like San Francisco, Madison, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C. The Citizens Medical Center in Texas isn’t the only company jumping on the anti-obesity bandwagon. 87% of large companies say they’re adding or strengthening programs to encourage more health-conscious behavior and more companies are imposing penalties on employees who don’t get with the program.
So, what do you think? Should companies be able to refuse to hire you because of your weight? Share your opinion at Facebook.com/JohnTesh.
