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)

["GL"]

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

Maybe you can give insight to those of us trapped in the cubicle farms.

1. Understand that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are not our own. Consistently overeating and indulging in unhealthy, sugar-laden foods destroys your body. Remember, smoking does the same thing and most of us wouldn't dream of taking up the habit.

2. Understand that we are clearly instructed to practice self-control in our day to day living. Overeating and failure to practice healthy eating habits can be a sign of excess and a lack of self-discipline. Begin to choose your foods wisely. Limit carbs. Cut out refined sugars and flours. Choose heart-healthy foods. I would recommend eating organic foods, if and when possible. Begin to view what you take in to your body as yet another spiritual discipline.

3. Eat to live, don't live to eat. Refuse to eat as a means of escapism. Refuse to become addicted to or come under the control of any types of food or beverage.

4. Find some form of excercise. Our bodies were created to move. Take stairs when possible. Walk in the evenings. Ride a bike. You don't have to go to the gym to get 30-45 minutes of good excercise.

Shall I continue?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I seem to recall a discussion about this a while back but I can't find it on AFF.

Are fat people discriminated against? Do they miss out on jobs and ministry opportunities because of their weight? If you had to choose between exact replicas of the same church - yet one church had a fat pastor and the other a stud muffin, would you choose the stud muffin solely based upon the other guy's obesity problem?

Are fat people paid less?

Neither...I'd look for the guy that is skinny as a rail...grayed hair at an early age.....

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by "GL"

1. Understand that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are not our own. Consistently overeating and eating unhealthy food destroys your body. Remember, smoking does the same thing and most of us wouldn't dream of taking up the habit.

2. Understand that we are clearly instructed to practice self-control in our day to day living. Overeating and failure to practice healthy eating habits can be a sign of excess and a lack of self-discipline. Begin to choose your foods wisely. Limit carbs. Cut out refined sugars and flours. Choose heart-healthy foods. I would recommend eating organic foods, if and when possible.

3. Eat to live, don't live to eat. Refuse to eat as a means of escapism. Refuse to become addicted to or under the control of any types of food or beverage.

4. Find some form of excercise. Our bodies were created to move. Take stairs when possible. Walk in the evenings. Ride a bike. You don't have to go to the gym to get it from 30-45 minutes of good excercise.

Shall I continue?

Go vegetarian...


Drink soy milk for a snack...




Graze on organic wheat grass...



Love God instaed of yer belly...




Do as i say not as I do....

["GL"]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

....

I was being serious.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I seem to recall a discussion about this a while back but I can't find it on AFF.

Are fat people discriminated against? Do they miss out on jobs and ministry opportunities because of their weight? If you had to choose between exact replicas of the same church - yet one church had a fat pastor and the other a stud muffin, would you choose the stud muffin solely based upon the other guy's obesity problem?

Are fat people paid less?

Probably the one closer to my house.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by "GL"

I was being serious.

I know brother, it is still sort of funny though.

["GL"]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

I know brother, it is still sort of funny though.

Hey, he asked.

I won't ever forget when God convicted me of my lack of self-discipline in my eating habits. My wife and I changed the way we ate and within 4-1/2 months, we each had lost 50 lbs. Several health problems also left. Today, we thank God that we listened to Him.

[dllong]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

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)

That's what I call, "Good Business Sense". Why would I invest in a company that hires Mud Hens to show off their product? There are some jobs that require an attractive person and some that do not.

I just say, GET OVER IT, IT'S A FACT OF LIFE! When I am approached in a store by a fat/obese sales person trying to sell me a fantastic weight loss product would I be convinced? Well actually, I would be offended, as I am not over weight, but you get my point?

;-)

Bro. Dave

[ForeverBlessed]

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

Actually I know that they do take this into consideration somewhat in smaller companies. I've been told by our CFO that it is considered... as is age.. I think that is a no brainer though. I would think anyone would rather hire healthy people that will be at work and not out sick.

One reason I do know that companies do monitor health issues is I was told (whether it was appropriate or not) that I was a "good" employee when it came to health insurance... I rarely see the doctor and have no health issues... I work in an office of 20 people... only probably 6 overweight..

I was told in jest that my med history always looks good when it comes time to shop for new health insurance rates... I'm one of our heathiest employees. Our company continually changes health insurance about every year, as we are a relatively small corporation and they look for the best for the money.

Weight doesn't always mean anything though.. I'm 40 years old, 90lbs overweight with perfect BP, BS, Cholesterol. I do exercise most everyday, but just am healthy other than I struggle with weight.

Some of the people on daily meds among my coworkers are not overweight.