Is Fatism working against you?

Is your career ruled by your weight?

" According to a recent survey, obese men and women are far less likely to get a job or promotion compared to their counterparts, even if they had exactly the same experience and qualifications.

In the same survey of more than two thousand UK based HR professionals, half consider obesity to have a negative affect upon employee input, more than a quarter think that it is becoming a problem in their industry and what's more, many openly believe that obese workers spoil their company's corporate image.

With obesity directly affecting one in four women and one in five men in the UK and 65% of the adult population being classified as overweight or obese, this is having a direct knock on effice into the workplace.

There are 18 million sick days lost in England alone each year due to obesity and with no discrimination law in place, it is actually legal for an employer in the Uk to fire someone JUST because they are fat - and not have to prove that their obesity stops them doing their job properly."

This is text place in an advert which appeared in a national publication for a weight loss program.

This blog follows my previous one where I discussed the topic of personal presentation. Whether we like it or not, other people's beliefs and values will affect their judgement in business. It shouldn't... but it does. Many people hold the belief (maybe not consciously) that overweight people are lazy and lack self discipline. I would be interested to hear from others if they have come across this type of discrimination in the workplace and how people deal with it.