Are your staff prejudiced against people who are obese?

‘Obese workers are unable to play a full role in the business,’ ‘they wouldn’t be able to do the job required’, and ‘they’re lazy’, were just a few of the comments expressed during a recent poll looking at recruitment attitudes towards obese employees. The survey follows a recent ECJ ruling about whether or not an obese person would be covered by the definition of a disabled person. What attitudes do your staff hold?

A recent poll with 1000 employers investigated attitudes towards obese people by employers during recruitment. The survey follows the recent ECJ ruling that obesity in itself is not a disability but an obese worker may come within the definition of a disabled person if long-term impairments arising as a consequence of obesity prevent the worker from doing their job on an equal basis with others. I wrote about this ruling in a previous equality news update which you can read here

The poll revealed a worry lack of understanding and prejudice among managers.

Almost half (45%) of employers admitted they were less inclined to recruit at interview stage if the applicant was obese, expressing views such as those above. Almost two-thirds (63%) cited a fear of being taken to court on grounds of discrimination if the disability needs of obese workers are not met.

An article published by personneltoday about the research points out the lack of understanding about the law could result in a problem if an obese person tells a potential employer about their impairments at interview, the company does not employ them and the applicant claims disability discrimination because it was their obesity that caused the rejection.

You can read the article here