Working With Persons Of All Sizes

1. Working With Persons Of All Sizes • Exam Emphasis • Stereotypes (1) • How does fat prejudice affect people (1) • What laws protect obese workers (1) • Beauty myth (1) • Who are the overweight (1) • What rights do activists want (2) • What rights do employers want (1) • Leadership opportunities (1)

2. Stereotypes & Realities • People get overweight when they overate and don’t exercise • People are overweight because they lack willpower • Obese people just need the right diet • Dieting may be hazardous to your health • Being obese poses health risks, being thin does not • Underweight is associated with greater risk of death

3. Stereotypes & Realities • People who diet are healthier & live longer • Weight is not always an indicator of longevity • Obese people are less productive • About the same as other workers but they may need some accommodation • Poor persons are more likely to be obese • More likely than they are poor because they make less money

4. How Does Fat Prejudice Affect People? • The message: you’re inferior • Implies a lack of character • The assumption: you are your body • Dieting is based on idea that the personality becomes the body • Devaluation and rejection • Cultural obsession with thinness – Barbie role model • Women: hardest hit

5. The Beauty Myth • People must fit into an narrow range of acceptable appearance • Cultural conflicts • Weight loss industry • We love fast food but hate fat people • New self-affirming patterns • Size acceptance movement - accepting who you are gives you confidence to fend off discrimination

6. Who Are The Overweight and Obese? • 64% or 1/3 of American adults • 3% are considered morbidly obese • Overweight = BMI 25 to 29.9 • Obese = BMI 30 or more • Obesity is increasing significantly • 1980 25% of population was obese • 2000 64% of population was obese

7. What Do Activists Want? • People have a right to be valued for their potential and actual performance. • People who are overweight have a more difficult time finding and keeping jobs and they earn less • Men lose $1,000 per pound in annual salary • Overweight women are 2-3 times more likely to be in poverty category than in $50,000 category • 12% pay gap between the homely & the attractive

8. What Rights Do Employers Want to Retain? • Employee size & appearance may affect the success of certain businesses • Some employers say that customers won’t do business with obese people and co-workers won’t respect them or work well with them • Circular reasoning • This viewpoint is unethical • Such actions signal employers accept prejudice and accept it • No studies show obese persons cost more due to health reasons

9. What Laws Protect Obese Workers? • Legislation • Similar to civil rights discrimination laws re: race, gender, etc. Rare. • Court ruling • Obesity = disability, requires reasonable accommodation. Current basis for protection from discrimination. • Administrative policy • Government agencies can set polices. Discrimination claims under ADA act must be filed with the EEOC first.

10. Leadership Opportunities • Look below the surface • Set policies on obesity harassment and discrimination • Make reasonable accommodations • Enlighten the corporate culture • Consider new marketing opportunities