Texas hospital bans obese workers?

A BMI of 35 is high in almost every scenario.

How is this different from refusing to hire people of different races based on an assumption that is nothing more than bigotry?

Because you can't change your race.

this is probably a big generalization but i know so so many nurses. and this is just nurses that know: 90% of them and smoke 90% are majorly overweight. I don’t understand it. maybe it’s just an Minnesota anomaly? but If you find a nurse here that isn’t over weight and doesn’t smoke it’s kind of a rare thing.

lolz

And you're worried about bigotry and generalizations?

You know, if that's what they want, they should serve healthy food in their hospital cafeteria, give nurses longer than 30 minutes for lunch, put in a small workout room with exercise machines, and have a lower patient-to-nurse ratio to cut back on stress for their workers. This is particularly important for people who work grave or swing, and even more important if they rotate shifts.

If they don't want obese workers, then they really need to take responsibility for some of the problems they are actively promoting. You can't expect healthy workers if you don't provide a healthy atmosphere.

That's a little much, don't you think? We are all responsible for our own health and well being. I don't expect my employer to provide such things. Sure it would be nice, but when it comes down to it, it is my doing. I worked 7p-7a for 5 years and I know ****ty ratios. We were 4:1 and we took vented patients on Tele. When it came down to it, I knew I had to bring my veggies, get to the gym first thing after work, and be extra cautious on my days off.

I think there is enough blame to go around here. I live in Houston - with one of the largest medical centers in the country - and the high quality hospitals do offer many of the benefits that were suggested. It is probably a financial decision for them to do that, so they can save on insurance costs and sick time. To be fair, we all "know we need to bring our veggies....etc." Actually doing it is the problem..if not why are we here?

Well that is unfortunate. I work with a number of incredibly healthy, fit, non-smoking, amazing nurses.

While BMI may not be the best indicator, I think it's a good change. It will be challenged a lot. Their will be suits left and right and it will be tested and probably changed to be more than BMI. Probably a battery of tests to determine overall health. But, I think it's a great change.

Where I live, they did something similar with the sherriffs office. Oh boy, was that controversial. Lol. They gave them a long period to get things in order. If they didn't, they were gone.

I think next year, where I work, they are going to provide a discount to those that are in good physical condition. We don't know yet what that means or how it will be measured. But, the big fat people (majority) are not happy. Since its a DISCOUNT for good health, they are advertising, no one is being penalized. A penalty would be if they charged more for being out of shape, which they aren't. Those folks just continue on the plan as they always have, but people like me will get a discount from the regular rate. Lol. I'm all for it. I think the insurance companies are starting to notice that healthy people cost them less. So, they are trying to provide incentive, financially. Rather than say," you're fired", they just say, "here's your bill".

Edited

My personal opinion is that if you're working within a hospital, for whatever inside or outside company, you represent them, so you should also represent what they stand for, health.

It kind of makes me think of working within a bank, if you have horrible credit and have not made any effort to pay/maintain your debts, they screen you, and you will not be offered a job. Why? Because they dont want someone who owes money, cannot represent the banks expectations of their clients and esp. give advice if they havent been able to breathe it in and put it into practice in their own lives.

Unlike with your banking analogy, it's not easy to judge when someone is unhealthy. A higher BMI does not necessarily mean lack of health. How many medical professionals smoke, eat poorly, don't get enough sleep or exercise? I'd think that the majority fall under those issues than don't. Are people who are disabled also disallowed from the profession? Or the aged?

I think most things based on BMI should be banned. It is an unrealistic marker and actually encourages more eating disorders due to it's inappropriate measuring. I would look like a POW at my healthy BMI.

My personal opinion is that if you're working within a hospital, for whatever inside or outside company, you represent them, so you should also represent what they stand for, health.

It kind of makes me think of working within a bank, if you have horrible credit and have not made any effort to pay/maintain your debts, they screen you, and you will not be offered a job. Why? Because they dont want someone who owes money, cannot represent the banks expectations of their clients and esp. give advice if they havent been able to breathe it in and put it into practice in their own lives.

Unlike with your banking analogy, it's not easy to judge when someone is unhealthy. A higher BMI does not necessarily mean lack of health. How many medical professionals smoke, eat poorly, don't get enough sleep or exercise? I'd think that the majority fall under those issues than don't. Are people who are disabled also disallowed from the profession? Or the aged?

Not to mention the number of health professionals that get addicted to the drugs they around everyday!

Interesting,

I have actually had the conversation, several times with various people, about employees in the healthcare industry that are over weight and are smokers. I have also over heard conversation about this in the various drs offices I have been in the last 10 years since I frequent them so often with elderly in laws an an auto immune disease.

Would any of you feel more confident in a health care provider that has fit employees? Just wondering if anyone has rolled their eyes at taking heath advice from someone that is obese?

Personally, I trust people more that actually walk the walk. But that is me.

Fair, it seems most fat percentage would be a better way to go about something like this.

My personal opinion is that if you're working within a hospital, for whatever inside or outside company, you represent them, so you should also represent what they stand for, health.

It kind of makes me think of working within a bank, if you have horrible credit and have not made any effort to pay/maintain your debts, they screen you, and you will not be offered a job. Why? Because they dont want someone who owes money, cannot represent the banks expectations of their clients and esp. give advice if they havent been able to breathe it in and put it into practice in their own lives.

This is how I see it too, however I think we're going to be in the minority here.

This is true - and it's true for so many other things. Mortgage lenders cannot lose their house in foreclosure, or they lose their license. SO many jobs are doing credit screening now. And you can argue it the same way - you have some control, but sometimes there are circumstances out of your control.... and that sucks. Is it a perfect solution? No. And is it necessary to be fit for every job in a hospital? Probably not. However there are some jobs that require some serious strength and cardio.

Thinking back to my midwife when I had my first baby - we walked the halls for HOURS. Up and down stairs, back and forth, up and down, literally for FOUR. HOURS. But no ill effects from her - and when contractions got worse and I needed support, she was there 110%, not winded in the slightest. That was so important. .

Agreed !

I think the credit score is a far better analogy than race.