You've heard about companies looking to cut the fat? It turns out that may be truer than you realize.
A study out of
Wayne State University in Detroit shows overweight people tend to be discriminated against by would-be employers. Researchers pored over 25 years of stats on whether there's an unintentional weight-based bias in the workplace. Their conclusion: being obese can keep you from landing that job, although it may not stop you from moving up in a company once you do get hired.
Sales positions are more likely to be affected than those in management. But the scientists discovered how you look is often just as important as how you do your job. "There are a whole set of stereotypes that go along with being overweight, and a lot of them transfer into the workplace in terms of people's judgment about others' abilities and appearance in relation to job performance," researcher Cort Rudolph explains.
In over 25 separate studies, overweight people were viewed more negatively than those without the excess avoirdupois. Most of the judgments come right off the bat, when an applicant is looking to score a position with a company.
"Some of the basic stereotypes associated with being overweight include laziness, sloppiness, untidiness and lack of self-discipline and control," Rudolph outlines. "Overweight people are also regularly labeled as having increased health problems, which is an issue often considered cumbersome by organizations."
But there is some positive news. The figures show that if a job seeker actually manages to overcome the implied bias and does well in the position, the perception disappears. Which means weight doesn't affect promotions - just getting your foot in the door.
Still, Rudolph worries that the weight fate debate won't soon deflate. "Considering this growth, stigmas associated with body weight can become more and more of an issue." he concludes.