Discrimination Against Obese People In The Workplace Your Health ...

From EIN News?..

Even though more than one third of the adult population in the U.S. is obese, social and workplace discrimination against obese people is persistent and pervasive.

Even though more than one third of the adult population in the U.S. is obese, social and workplace discrimination against obese people is persistent and pervasive.

Obesity is medical condition in which a person accumulates excessive body fat to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health. It is determined by a person?s body mass index (BMI.) In general, a BMI of 25 to 29 is overweight, a BMI of 30 to 35 is obese, and a BMI of 35 or greater is considered morbidly obese.

According to a recent online Harris Interactive/HealthDay survey, 61 percent of 2,300 individuals polled did not consider negative comments about someone?s weight to be offensive, and a quarter of those polled believed that employer policies that discriminate in hiring based solely on a person being obese were ?fair.?

Additionally, the individuals polled were also asked about their body mass index (BMI), and the results were as follows: 32 percent were normal weight, 29 percent were overweight, 17 percent were obese, and 13 percent were morbidly obese. (Presumably, 8 percent did not respond to the question.)

Approximately two-fifths of the obese and morbidly obese respondents felt they had been shunned socially, and 52 percent believed they had been discriminated against in the job market when applying for a job or promotion. That belief has a basis in reality. For example, a hospital in Texas recently announced that it would not hire people with a BMI higher than 35?the morbidly obese?due to concerns about personal appearance.

As evidenced by the results of this poll, the obese face an unwarranted and unsubstantiated bias that they are wholly responsible for their condition due to laziness, ignorance and a lack of discipline, when, in fact, genetics play a substantial role in obesity, especially with those morbidly obese.

Filing a claim under the ADA

In cases of employment discrimination, morbidly obese people can pursue a claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its updated version, the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA), which went into effect in January 2009. Those applying, however, must prove they have a disability that was the reason behind the employment discrimination.

Generally, under the ADA and ADAAA, to qualify as someone with a disability, a person must:

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Source: http://www.lensaunders.com/wp/?p=6829

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