Does weight factor into getting jobs?

directorj

Besides being a model and jobs like that. I'm talking about regular office jobs going 9-5. I'd like to know people's opinions. I know that overweight people do get jobs and you might have that big co-worker guy. Do you think that some HR / Employers when they see a huge guy walk in the room for an interview, they already dock points? However I'm sure there are a lot of other honest HR managers who look at the personality and experience rather than looks.

What do you guys think?

Vaanja

I'm certain weight often plays a factor in both getting a job, and advancing a career.

An interesting artcile on the subject:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16755130/ns/business-careers/t/fat-chance-its-not-easy-obese-workers/

randa_behnam

im sure it does, just as age does. you are not allowed to discriminate but it still happens.

For example, if you are a very very obese person going into an interview they might consider that you are that size because you are lazy and therefore could be a liability for getting the job done.

Also it depends on the job role like sales person: who would the company prefer to have talking to clients, a svelt young stunning person or an extra "large" person?

its a sad cruel world we live in... but its ufortunatly true (

Bellyroll

Yes, I see it with my sister. She has had about 4+ jobs this year and has quit everyone of them. Recently she was going to get another job but decided that she didn't want to do it. I been trying to find a job for months but nothing. I have way more experience and education on my side.

CherryIceGlitter

I am a Human Resource advisor for a large Pawnbroking company in the UK and I can honestly say that myself or anybody else in the organisation would NOT discriminate against a person for any reason whether it be age, race, height or weight BUT.. and a big but it is I know of past companies I have worked for not employing somebody because of their physical appearance.

Unfortunately not everybody can look beyond physical appearances, I have actually heard somebody say "we want pretty people on the counter" and I guess from their point of view a "pretty" lady or a "handsome" man will draw customers in.

SO in short YES I guess it does affect people getting into jobs but if anybody experiences this or believes they have been refused a role due to the way they look or weigh then that company/person should be reported

LilMissFoodie

I think it does. There is some pretty solid research that suggests people in the healthy weight range on average make a lot more money and are more likely to get a promotion that an overweight person. Of course, since I imagine all of the businesses want to play politically correct, it is unclear whether this is because of judgement of weight or because the person has less confidence to ask for a promotion, less self respect etc. which could be affecting their career progression.

annemckee

I'm interested in this because I have a job interview on Monday!

Secret_Agent_007

I had to go see my employer's doctor before getting this job. He made me do pushups and pretty much did a physical on me. I hadn't even started MFP at that time either so I was kinda worried about the results.

I'd have to say it's definately a factor even if the employer doesn't say so. Fat people are perceived lazy.

ItsCasey

Of course weight is a factor, and I don't think that's "wrong" or "sad" or "cruel." An overwhelming majority of fat people are fat because they chose to be fat. Besides, people get turned down for jobs based on many appearance-related factors. How you dress for an interview is important. Whether or not you have visible tattoos or piercings is important. The way you smell, whether or not your hair and nails are clean ... it all matters. And I don't think it's an "I don't like fat people" issue for most employers; it's mainly the implication that if you don't take pride in your appearance, you probably don't take pride in your work either.

Now, if you've got a dynamite resume with professional achievements that blow the employer away, I don't think your appearance will be a deciding factor. Employers are looking for talented employees who work hard and get the job done. But if you're basically the same as a better-looking candidate in terms of education and work experience, you're probably out of luck. If that doesn't motivate you to put down the fork and hit the gym instead of whining about how unfair life is, then you are actively choosing not to become the person you could be, and that's your own fault.

kendrafallon

How many times are we told when it comes to interview prep, first impressions count?!! Stereotypes persist and I believe that discrimination on the basis of appearance does happen.

I think I've been fairly lucky in my working career to-date and my weight hasn't had an impact on my employability. Saying that the work I do (Data Analyst) means I rarely have to deal face-to-face with clients. Add to that, I've spent a lot of my working life in either local government or the NHS where discrimination of any sort strictly prohibited and if it occurs is dealt with quickly!

mfpmonkey

should it? no...does it? yes

TheRoadDog

Of course it counts.

vanessaclarkgbr

Definitely. It's not counted against me (as far as I've known) but there is one particular large area of our company where I'd say there are no women over a UK size 12, regardless of their age.

Classalete

It's a superficial world out there..

May the aesthetics be with you.

Articeluvsmemphis

Of course weight is a factor, and I don't think that's "wrong" or "sad" or "cruel." An overwhelming majority of fat people are fat because they chose to be fat. Besides, people get turned down for jobs based on many appearance-related factors. How you dress for an interview is important. Whether or not you have visible tattoos or piercings is important. The way you smell, whether or not your hair and nails are clean ... it all matters. And I don't think it's an "I don't like fat people" issue for most employers; it's mainly the implication that if you don't take pride in your appearance, you probably don't take pride in your work either.

Now, if you've got a dynamite resume with professional achievements that blow the employer away, I don't think your appearance will be a deciding factor. Employers are looking for talented employees who work hard and get the job done. But if you're basically the same as a better-looking candidate in terms of education and work experience, you're probably out of luck. If that doesn't motivate you to put down the fork and hit the gym instead of whining about how unfair life is, then you are actively choosing not to become the person you could be, and that's your own fault.

:noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: Chose to be fat? Not quite. People who know better do better, and those who can afford to do better. Aside from people getting pregnant and gaining weight, or other health issues. For people like me who grew up in a a family that didn't understand much about nutrition outside of eating some fruits/veggies and occasionally walking, we all were/are big. That's not a choice. I think that was just a very un- informed opinion.

LilMissFoodie

:noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: Chose to be fat? Not quite. People who know better do better, and those who can afford to do better. Aside from people getting pregnant and gaining weight, or other health issues. For people like me who grew up in a a family that didn't understand much about nutrition outside of eating some fruits/veggies and occasionally walking, we all were/are big. That's not a choice. I think that was just a very un- informed opinion.

Agreed. It is true that most (not all) people could be thin if they worked hard enough but it is not the same battle for every person on this journey so while it is very easy to breeze in and say 'eat healthily and exercise more' - for some, it is a lot more complex than this.

ItsCasey

If you were fat as a child because of your family's eating habits, maybe you didn't choose that. But we're not talking about children; we're talking about adults in the workforce. If you're still fat as an adult, you are absolutely choosing that. You are either choosing to be uninformed, or you are choosing not to do anything with the information. Either way, it is a choice.

ItsCasey

:noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: Chose to be fat? Not quite. People who know better do better, and those who can afford to do better. Aside from people getting pregnant and gaining weight, or other health issues. For people like me who grew up in a a family that didn't understand much about nutrition outside of eating some fruits/veggies and occasionally walking, we all were/are big. That's not a choice. I think that was just a very un- informed opinion.

Agreed. It is true that most (not all) people could be thin if they worked hard enough but it is not the same battle for every person on this journey so while it is very easy to breeze in and say 'eat healthily and exercise more' - for some, it is a lot more complex than this.

For a very small portion of the population with certain medical conditions, it is more complex than "eat better, exercise more." For most people, it is exactly that simple. I did not say easy; I said simple. We make it more complicated by telling ourselves that we're all unique snowflakes with special problems and that science doesn't apply to us the same way it applies to everyone else.

katkins3

I work for a small company and know the owners, so I know how they think concerning hiring.
Size is a factor, so are looks in general...neatness etc.
They look for people who are enthusiastic, well spoken, neat and On Time! For them personality trumps physical appearance.
They look for people who will get along with those already working for them.
A red flag for: complaining about past employers, being late, lacking confidence, lacking driving license, smoking also get a demerit.

LilMissFoodie

For a very small portion of the population with certain medical conditions, it is more complex than "eat better, exercise more." For most people, it is exactly that simple. I did not say easy; I said simple. We make it more complicated by telling ourselves that we're all unique snowflakes with special problems and that science doesn't apply to us the same way it applies to everyone else.

Are you sure about that? There is a pretty strong link that has been shown between genetics and obesity recently. It is still in the early stages of research but still... I wouldn't be willing to bet that it is only a few people that are affected. I've had a number of patients who continue to gain weight even after we have cut down below 1000 calories per day. And since they are tube fed patients, the numbers don't lie! Some weight management patients will need to be on a supervised 800 calorie diet to lose 1lb per week - do you think that is as easy as somebody who can eat 1500 calories and lose 1lb? I'm not saying it can't be done. I'm saying it is not the same journey. I just think it is quite naive to assume that you or I would know everything there is to know about the science. So I reserve my judgement.