Weight Discrimination in Workplaces - Research Paper Example

Running head: Weight discrimination in workplaces of Executive Summary This paper seeks to find out if weight discrimination exists in our work places. It looks at researches and literature review that have been conducted to prove that racial discrimination exists in our work places. The reason as to why obese and overweight individuals are discriminated is because they are viewed as lazy and they lack ambitions. In addition to that, it explores measures that have been taken to protect these obese and overweight individuals from weight discrimination. Introduction There is no doubt that Americans are getting much heavier as the days go by. In fact according to statistics taken by Centers for Disease Control in 2006, it has shown that thirty four percent of all the adults living in the U.S have a BMI (body Mass index) of not less than 30 which is considered to be obese. In addition to Americans getting heavier and heavier a survey taken by the Yale University, prove that weight discriminations are present in work places as well as in our day-to-day encounters. In fact, it has been voted to be more present than discrimination against gender or age with racism taking the highest rank. On the real reasons as to why Obese people are discriminated in the work place, majority of the people consider them as being lazy, lack of self-discipline, unsuccessful and unintelligent (Brownell et al, 2010) According to statistics that have been taken into account to demonstrate weight discrimination in work places, they display those employees who are seen as obese are at a higher percentage not to be hired. In addition to that, their chances of being promoted are minimal, and if given jobs, their payment is lower compared to their fellow thinner employees. To prove this, they usually have the same credentials, qualifications, job performance, and education. The discrimination increases, as the individual gets heavier. The heavier the individual, the more likely the chances of reporting weight discrimination will be heard (Cardain, 2011). The national Longitudinal Survey of Youth also participated in a survey that demonstrated how in work places, thinner people are paid more that obese individuals who are performing the same duty. The statistics continue to display that if a female white individuals living in the United States have a decrease in their salary by nine percent if they happen to gain more than 65 pounds of the average weight of an individual (Douglas, 2011). In comparison to their coworkers who are less heavy than them, taking the fact that they perform the same duties, it has been reported that their work output is low due to discrimination. Despite of having similar qualifications, the individuals who are hired by institutions who have weight discrimination feel insecure about themselves thus having a low performance output. This is because most of the time they view themselves as not being good enough. Putting in to consideration some reported cases, in comparison to individuals who are less heavy than them; these obese individuals are in a more likely position to receive negative evaluations during performance appraisals. The results of this weight discrimination have a thorough consequence in an individual since they are more likely to suffer physically and psychologically. Those who face discrimination because of their weight tend to indulge themselves in behaviors that are not healthy. Instances of these unhealthy behavior trends include increase in binge eating disorder, engaging in less physical activity, maladaptive eating disorder and lastly they are more likely to avoid health care services that are preventative. This is in comparison to their fellow obese individuals who have not reported any weight discrimination against them. (Pomeranz,2008). In addition to that, individuals who face discrimination because of their weight are in a position to under indulge themselves in attempts that concern weight loss. This trend in the end leads to an individual becoming obese. Moreover, weight discrimination has proved to have emotional toll on individuals who are both overweight and obese. The emotional toll eventually leads to psychological stress. Reported psychological disorders include body dissatisfaction, a lower self-esteem, behaviors which led to suicide and depression. Despite the effort to control Body Mass Index, the study reveals that weight discrimination persistently increases. This means that such individuals who are overweight and obese suffer from stigmatizing experiences in relation to their Body Mass Index (Douglas, 2011). A factor contributing to these overweight and obese individuals suffering from poor physical health is because there is an increase in the vulnerability to stress that is physiological. This is often a result of the increase in discrimination based on their weight. Putting in to consideration the Federal law or the constitution, the practices of discriminating an individual due to their weight is not illegal. This is despite the fact that weight discrimination often leads to inequality in employment and the obese individual living a reduced quality in their life (O’Brien, et al 2008). In fact, the only state that has laws that prohibit weight discrimination is Michigan and a number of localities, which include the District of Columbia and the city of San Francisco. This means that individuals who live in other states can face weight discrimination by their bosses and are not in a position to seek justice since there are no laws protecting them from weight discrimination. Some obese and overweight individuals, who have taken the step to sue their employers because of weight discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have succeeded less. If the statistics of overweight and obese individuals is anything to do with, then this is a clear indication that laws need to be enacted to protect such individuals from weight discrimination. In addition to that, the public needs to come together and support antidiscrimination law (Pomeranz, 2008). However, no significant study has been taken to show the ability of the public to support such causes. Moreover, a number of studies have been taken in to account to study the attitude of the public in relation to laws that are protecting individuals who are discriminated in relation to their weight. These studied do not show a higher percentage of people in support of laws that protect individuals who are discriminated in relation to them being overweight or obese. It should be noted that the questions, which were structured to conduct the survey, did not put much weight in to seeking the public’s opinion regarding the laws. The questions act as a by the way in seeking out the public opinions on other laws for instance is if the government should apply all the laws in each state. Movements against weight discrimination In the recent years, a lot of debate has come up to protect individuals who are obese. These discussions include ways in which measures can be taken legislatively to protect individuals who are overweight and obese from weight discrimination. An instance is that some individuals have proposed that under the ADA, an extension in the laws that protect these individuals should be put in place. They argue with the fact that under the ADA, obesity should be put in to consideration as a disability (Puhl & Heuer, 2009). Other than that, they continue to suggest that they can add obesity as discrimination in the civil law that protects individuals from other types of discrimination such as ethnicity, gender, and age. Others who are in support of these laws have proposed that just like there are laws that protect individuals from age discrimination known as Age Discrimination in Employment Act, a similar trend should follow in protecting obese and overweight people. They suggest that it should be called the Weight Discrimination in Employment Act and similar prohibitions should be included in the act replacing the age with weight (Institute, 2008). Conclusion From the above discussion, it is evident that weight discrimination in our workplaces is evident. This points out to the fact that obese individuals who possess the same qualifications in education and experience are less likely to be employed in work places compared to their less heavy individuals. It also points out that majority of the people view these obese individuals as lazy, lacking self-discipline and they lack focus in life. This is clear evidence that weight discrimination exist in our workplace. In addition to that, suggestions have been put in to place that laws should be created which protect obese and overweight individuals from discrimination. References Brownell KD, Kersh R, Ludwig DS, Post RC, Puhl RM, Schwartz MB et al. (2010) Personal Responsibility and obesity: a constructive approach to a controversial issue. Health Aff 2010; 29: 379–387. Cardain D. (2011). Weight bias is on the rise in American Workplaces. AARP Bulleting 40, 181– 191. Douglas K. (2011). Weight discrimination in the Workplace. The Houston Sun. Institute HA (2008). Weight Discrimination in the Workplace: Realities and Legalities, Business Management Daily O’Brien KS, Halberstadt J, Hunter JA, Anderson J, Caputi P. (2008). Do antifat attitudes predict Antifat behaviors? Obesity Suppl 2: S87–S92. Pomeranz JL. (2008). A historical analysis of public health, the law, and stigmatized social Groups: the need for both obesity and weight bias legislation. Obesity 16: S93–S102. Puhl RM, Heuer CA. (2009). The stigma of obesity: a review and update. Obesity 17: 941–964. Read More