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I could see how being 500 pounds trying to work in daycare could be an issue. Rest of the article isn't a whole lot better. No surprise that people in higher SES have lower obesity rates than people in lower SES. That's been well documented for a long time now. Without controlling for variables, it doesn't really show anything. Everyone knows that already.
While I definitely think there is weight discrinimation - using the experience of a 500# person may not be indicative of the typical overweight person's experience.
Correct. 525 pounds isn't 200 or 150 pounds. And we're talking about a lady who was trying to get a job as a day care provider, in which her job was to insure the welfare of children. What if an accident happened and one of the kids needed CPR? Would she have the stamina to perform it for 20 minutes, or even 5 minutes? What about helping a child off playground equipment if they were stuck? In a job where the safety of kids is at stake, a morbidly obese woman should not be hired.
I have worked with some morbidly obese people before and from my experience they are a real challenge to work with. Everything from hygiene to health issues has come up repeatedly (one suddenly died on a weekend). I understand they are struggling and the legalities about not hiring someone based on health, but I can also understand why a company would absolutely not want to hire someone like that.
When your weight is out of sync in proportion to your body, your moods are generally also out of sync also.
It's best to get yourself together good enough before applying for a job although you cannot blame anyone for using a job to get in shape.
A security guard position might be perfect for someone who is morbidly obese.
While I definitely think there is weight discrinimation - using the experience of a 500# person may not be indicative of the typical overweight person's experience.
Agreed.
I'm overweight (but not THAT overweight), and recently received an offer for a new job less than 24 hours after my in-person interview. In fact, as I was LEAVING the interview they pretty much told me the job was mine. I start at the new company after the holidays.
While I definitely think there is weight discrinimation - using the experience of a 500# person may not be indicative of the typical overweight person's experience.
Exactly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serious Conversation
Someone that large is going to pose logistical, practical issues for most jobs.
And yep.
I'm an overweight woman, though a fraction of 500lbs, and in changing careers lately I've been job hopping a bit. I've been hired 4 times in the last 5 years. Oh, and I'm 50!
I have worked with some morbidly obese people before and from my experience they are a real challenge to work with. Everything from hygiene to health issues has come up repeatedly (one suddenly died on a weekend). I understand they are struggling and the legalities about not hiring someone based on health, but I can also understand why a company would absolutely not want to hire someone like that.
There is a huge difference between a person that is overweight and someone that weighs 500+ pounds. At that weight, a person does not even look like they are from the same species. I saw a television show that featured a woman that weighed about 550 pounds. She was unable to fit into the shower in her house so to bathe she would go outside on the porch while a family member literally hosed her down. While I have sympathy for their plight, working is just not a viable option when you are in that condition.
I think everyone with some sense realizes that 500+ lbs is an anomaly. Most people in that weight range, or above, are likely going to be on some form of disability.
There are tons of overweight and obese people in the workforce (pun intended). More so in some markets than others.
Last edited by Left-handed; 12-14-2017 at 08:35 AM..
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