Are overweight women taken less seriously in the workplace?

[FishbowlFrieda]

Especially in less senior roles? I don't mean when somebody has built a very prestigious career and is at the top of their game.

Discovered this morning I've put on half a stone. After thinking 'ooh fuck, hope this won't affect my blood pressure', the next thing I started worrying about was if this will affect my job searching/ interviewing.

Am I worrying unduly?

It depends which industry.

I'm overweight and currently in the 16 stone category, at the heaviest 20 stone and I have had two significant internal promotions at different companies and I have been successful in every job I apply for.

I believe those who are morbidly obese do.
Not those carrying some extra weight.

Oh when I was talking about it, the data was about very very large people, not overweight (which is a big % of the population).

Yes it's been studied and unattractive /overweight people and short men don't do as well career wise over-all.

Of course there are lot of example where people think it doesn't matter, but that's not what the scientific studies find.

I don't think 1/2 stone will make a difference, but when I put on 1/2 stone I feel fat and I don't look as well groomed as clothes don't fall as elegantly.

Yes. Worse if important for job that employee is fit.
We all have our prejudices and sometimes they are based on experience, sometimes on evidence. We need to be aware of our biases and take them into account.

I am overweight - have added another stone since lockdown.It has affected my energy levels and confidence.