Denied Job Advancement due to Body Size

Has anyone not been able to get a job due to their size?

I have years of customer service under my belt and want to move from one department to another (marketing) but I feel I am not even an option because of my size.

Pretty hurtful especially when they approach me about using my Marketing test results as a base for all new hires in that department.
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Replies

  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    What makes you think it's due to your size?

    (serious question)
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    Has anyone not been able to get a job due to their size?

    I have years of customer service under my belt and want to move from one department to another (marketing) but I feel I am not even an option because of my size.

    Pretty hurtful especially when they approach me about using my Marketing test results as a base for all new hires in that department.

    So they didn't actually tell you this, you just feel it? Okay..
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Did they tell you that?
  • Alex_is_Hawks
    Alex_is_Hawks Posts: 3,499 Member
    did they seriously tell you that.

    because that's a major HR no no and you could complain to the labor board.

    just because you "feel" its your size doesn't make it true.

    it just does not, it could be any number of factors including your capability.

    just because they come to you for marketing advice doesn't mean they feel you are fully capable of the full scope of the job.

    ask them why, and then fix what they need you to fix.

    but I highly doubt that it's your size and they can't tell you that...that's discrimination
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    I asked out a girl once. She denied me. Now, I thought she was being racist because she's white and I'm Asian.


    Turns out that she denied me because I'm a creep and have terrible personality and asked her out by saying "I have been collecting your hair for a while. I think its time I get inside you"
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    I always wanted to be a jockey.
  • Cliffslosinit
    Cliffslosinit Posts: 5,044 Member
    I always wanted to be a jockey.

    n500e6146ead07large.gif
  • nicola1141
    nicola1141 Posts: 613 Member
    Have you even applied? You say you "feel" like it's not an option?
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    With pretty eyes and a cute smile like yours?
  • WifeofPJ
    WifeofPJ Posts: 312
    Has anyone not been able to get a job due to their size?

    I have years of customer service under my belt and want to move from one department to another (marketing) but I feel I am not even an option because of my size.

    Pretty hurtful especially when they approach me about using my Marketing test results as a base for all new hires in that department.
    [/quote
  • AleshaRae82
    AleshaRae82 Posts: 31 Member
    I work in the yachting industry and the current hiring trend for Concierge/Marketing Team has been slender, attractive people yet they lack the brains.

    For the marketing director to ask me today if he could use my results as a base really put everything into perspective.
    He knows my desire to work with him - and agrees that I can handle the job.

    Yet I will not get the job because I do not fit the image they are looking for??

    I haven't been outright denied the position but his action truly speak for him.
    Am I wrong for thinking this?
  • doorki
    doorki Posts: 2,576 Member
    I work in the yachting industry and the current hiring trend for Concierge/Marketing Team has been slender, attractive people yet they lack the brains.

    For the marketing director to ask me today if he could use my results as a base really put everything into perspective.
    He knows my desire to work with him - and agrees that I can handle the job.

    Yet I will not get the job because I do not fit the image they are looking for??

    I haven't been outright denied the position but his action truly speak for him.
    Am I wrong for thinking this?

    you will never know until you take a swing.....
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    I work in the yachting industry and the current hiring trend for Concierge/Marketing Team has been slender, attractive people yet they lack the brains.

    For the marketing director to ask me today if he could use my results as a base really put everything into perspective.
    He knows my desire to work with him - and agrees that I can handle the job.

    Yet I will not get the job because I do not fit the image they are looking for??

    I haven't been outright denied the position but his action truly speak for him.
    Am I wrong for thinking this?

    grow some balls and grab that job. you can do it. just go in acting like its already yours.
  • toscarthearmada
    toscarthearmada Posts: 382 Member
    I haven't been outright denied the position but his action truly speak for him.
    Am I wrong for thinking this?

    Why not ask about the position? Why not ask him why you're not being considered. Communication is key in any job.
  • I got the job where I work now at a big size 16. A fair number of my co-workers are also bigger. (This is what happens when you sit 8 to 15 hours a day staring at a computer screen.) I wouldn't assume that it is your body size.

    If you really think they are discriminating, you're ready for more responsibility, or they're not giving you the opportunity to grow, then maybe you should think about looking for a new job.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    did they seriously tell you that.

    because that's a major HR no no and you could complain to the labor board.

    just because you "feel" its your size doesn't make it true.

    it just does not, it could be any number of factors including your capability.

    just because they come to you for marketing advice doesn't mean they feel you are fully capable of the full scope of the job.

    ask them why, and then fix what they need you to fix.

    but I highly doubt that it's your size and they can't tell you that...that's discrimination

    Where I am (Canada) size is not a protected status. I went through this when my cousin was warned she would be fired from her job as a waitress if she gained any more weight.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I work in the yachting industry and the current hiring trend for Concierge/Marketing Team has been slender, attractive people yet they lack the brains.

    For the marketing director to ask me today if he could use my results as a base really put everything into perspective.
    He knows my desire to work with him - and agrees that I can handle the job.

    Yet I will not get the job because I do not fit the image they are looking for??

    I haven't been outright denied the position but his action truly speak for him.
    Am I wrong for thinking this?

    I do think you have reason to feel upset. He's using your work, but not promoting you.
  • docdick9120
    docdick9120 Posts: 34 Member
    I have not hired people because of their size and the limited work space the job had to done in. Of course I never told them that their size was a factor.
    Most of us large people have felt the sting of discrimination in one way or another over the years.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I work in the yachting industry and the current hiring trend for Concierge/Marketing Team has been slender, attractive people yet they lack the brains.

    For the marketing director to ask me today if he could use my results as a base really put everything into perspective.
    He knows my desire to work with him - and agrees that I can handle the job.

    Yet I will not get the job because I do not fit the image they are looking for??

    I haven't been outright denied the position but his action truly speak for him.
    Am I wrong for thinking this?

    I feel like you're making some big assumptions about what your boss is thinking and is likely to do. You may not get the job if you try for it. But if you don't try for it then you definitely won't get it.
  • sapphies
    sapphies Posts: 45 Member
    I work in the yachting industry and the current hiring trend for Concierge/Marketing Team has been slender, attractive people yet they lack the brains.

    For the marketing director to ask me today if he could use my results as a base really put everything into perspective.
    He knows my desire to work with him - and agrees that I can handle the job.

    Yet I will not get the job because I do not fit the image they are looking for??

    I haven't been outright denied the position but his action truly speak for him.
    Am I wrong for thinking this?

    Maybe it's not your size he sees as your barrier, but your lack of "go-getter" attitude. I don't mean that to be rude, but he hasn't said that was the reason or even hinted at it (from the info you given) just because he knows you would love the position doesn't mean he sees the fire in your eyes to obtain the position.
    I think maybe you're projecting your negative body image on to him. I do the same thing I am my harshest critic.
  • I always wanted to be a jockey.

    n500e6146ead07large.gif


    hahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahaha
  • AleshaRae82
    AleshaRae82 Posts: 31 Member
    I appreciate your honesty and I can agree with you on that. My overweight stature has hindered me from doing a lot and I certainly see that reflected in my life now.

    I work in the yachting industry and the current hiring trend for Concierge/Marketing Team has been slender, attractive people yet they lack the brains.

    For the marketing director to ask me today if he could use my results as a base really put everything into perspective.
    He knows my desire to work with him - and agrees that I can handle the job.

    Yet I will not get the job because I do not fit the image they are looking for??

    I haven't been outright denied the position but his action truly speak for him.
    Am I wrong for thinking this?

    Maybe it's not your size he sees as your barrier, but your lack of "go-getter" attitude. I don't mean that to be rude, but he hasn't said that was the reason or even hinted at it (from the info you given) just because he knows you would love the position doesn't mean he sees the fire in your eyes to obtain the position.
    I think maybe you're projecting your negative body image on to him. I do the same thing I am my harshest critic.
  • Pangea250
    Pangea250 Posts: 965 Member
    I asked out a girl once. She denied me. Now, I thought she was being racist because she's white and I'm Asian.


    Turns out that she denied me because I'm a creep and have terrible personality and asked her out by saying "I have been collecting your hair for a while. I think its time I get inside you"
    OMG ARE YOU STALKING ME ON HERE TOO?????
  • AleshaRae82
    AleshaRae82 Posts: 31 Member
    How can you really prove that anyways? I know in Florida the rules are a little different and can be fired for no reason at all.

    did they seriously tell you that.

    because that's a major HR no no and you could complain to the labor board.

    just because you "feel" its your size doesn't make it true.

    it just does not, it could be any number of factors including your capability.

    just because they come to you for marketing advice doesn't mean they feel you are fully capable of the full scope of the job.

    ask them why, and then fix what they need you to fix.

    but I highly doubt that it's your size and they can't tell you that...that's discrimination
  • Pangea250
    Pangea250 Posts: 965 Member
    How can you really prove that anyways? I know in Florida the rules are a little different and can be fired for no reason at all.

    But you haven't applied for the position and you haven't been turned down for it. So how can you really prove that either? Just because it looks like they only hire young slender people doesn't mean that is necessarily true.

    I think you're having a confidence issue. You aren't that big, and you're losing weight. I'm sure that your workplace can see your new health lifestyle, if only at lunchtime. Keep it up. While confidence doesn't come overnight, it will come. If you aren't ready to apply for the advancement now, wait another 20 or 30 lbs. Do it then. but DO IT.

    There is only 1 way that you are 100% guaranteed not to get that job. That's by not going for it.
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    Sounds to me like you are speculating and making excuses of why you WON'T get it. Apply for it and know that 9 times out of 10 you aren't hired for your body. HR typically makes sure of that.
  • Ashshell
    Ashshell Posts: 185
    Perhaps he is impressed by your performance in your current department and doesn't want to have to deal with trying to find a comparable replacement. If you want to move to a different department, you will need to be assertive and not make assumptions. Your feelings are understandable, but don't let your feelings about your weight hold you back.
  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
    i'll be blunt. You didn't even apply, so it's all in your head. You gotta work on your low self-esteem, girl.
  • Ge0rgiana
    Ge0rgiana Posts: 1,649 Member
    I asked out a girl once. She denied me. Now, I thought she was being racist because she's white and I'm Asian.


    Turns out that she denied me because I'm a creep and have terrible personality and asked her out by saying "I have been collecting your hair for a while. I think its time I get inside you"

    :heart: :heart: :heart:
  • Legs_McGee
    Legs_McGee Posts: 845 Member
    I always wanted to be a jockey.


    Yeah - my dream was to be a Keebler elf. But then I kept growing and growing ....