Are Fat People Discriminated Against?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by dllong

To "discriminate?", against fat people? I'm really not sure that using that word is appropriate in this case. Making a decision not to hire someone because they are overweight, requires one to set a dividing line at best. Studies have shown that the overweight (by this I mean to say, obese and morbidly obese) is a serious health issue that can cost a company a considerable amount of money in health care. Not hiring a smoker, is a wise decision due to the health risk the individual has willingly placed themselves into by using tobacco. People are obese because they have no control over their food intake and do not exercise. Hence, they will have serious health problems as a result. Make no mistake, over eating and nicotine addiction are behaviors that are curable by simply stopping the destructive behavior!

To discriminate then, in my humble opinion, is to be very discerning before hiring someone who is unable to control their personal health and habits which could easily cost the company more than what the employee could ever give by their labor.

I realize my comments will likely set off a fire storm of debate but, as a personnel manager, there has to be a line drawn somewhere. I am required NOT to discriminate against anyone that falls within the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, but the obese and tobacco users are not a protected minority at this time.

Bro. Dave

Very interesting. I sat in a seminar some time back where the speaker openly encouraged hiring "the most attractive female your business can afford" for the retail showroom floor. She admitted that it should not be this way but said the data is overwhelming - the attactive female has a huge edge over others in retail. (at least in home furnishings/hearth products decor)