Would you hire someone visibly anorexic?

[Ncncncncc]

I’m looking for honest (even if brutal) answers.

[WarshipRocinante]

What’s your worry?

[vodkaredbullgirl]

If they can do the job, yes hire them.

[abracadabra1980]

No. I'm a tiny business and could not afford the inevitable time off that his condition would bring.

[Bluebellsanddaffodil]

Yes, it would be discrimination not to.

[Lovemusic82]

How is someone visibly anorexic? How do you know they are not just slim or that they don’t have some other condition?

[TraitorsGate]

What sort of job, who are they to you, are they receiving treatment and feel physically and mentally ready to work.

[Babyroobs]

I would be wondering how someone could focus on the job properly if taking in so few calories as it must affect concentration, energy etc. So I think my answer is no I wouldn't if they were looking ill enough to make me suspect anorexia.

[MsMajeika]

I don't know how to vote. Personally, no, I wouldn't. I would be worried that they wouldn't have the physical and mental energy to do the job and that they would need constant time off as a result of their illness.

This is probably discriminatory. I'm being brutally honest.

[Sleepygrumpyandnothappy]

@abracadabra1980

No. I'm a tiny business and could not afford the inevitable time off that his condition would bring.

Even tiny businesses need to educate themselves about disability discrimination.

[AIstolemylunch]

No chance. They need help, not taking on the demands of a new job.

[Vroomfondleswaistcoat]

How would you know whether it was anorexia or some other condition? I have a friend who has had cancer and is VERY thin. She looks anorexic, but isn't.

[PostItInABook]

There are a multitude of reasons why someone might ‘look anorexic’. I don’t really think you can make assumptions about someone’s medical history in this way.

[SabreIsMyFave]

I don't know how to vote either. You need to elaborate @Ncncncncc Is it you who has the condition? Have you had a prospective employer say you're no good because of your anorexia? Or is it someone you know who has it?

[LiterallyOnFire]

Proper HR recruitment rubrics wouldn't allow you to hold it against anyone at selection. That would be discriminatory. Although there's always the possibility of someone with an illness failing the health screen.

SMEs are the Wild West, though. If you or a relative have an eating disorder and you are concerned about this, the east fix is not to apply for jobs with small businesses.

[Babyroobs]

Would people be equally concerned about taking on someone very overweight though as this could equally be due to an eating disorder?

[saveforthat]

@Sleepygrumpyandnothappy

Even tiny businesses need to educate themselves about disability discrimination.

Is anorexia nervosa a disability?

[KTheGrey]

Nope.

People who are ill need time off work, not a new job. Somebody visibly anorexic needs to be supported by therapy of several different sorts, and that is what UC is there for.

[Settlement22]

@AIstolemylunch

No chance. They need help, not taking on the demands of a new job.

Good god, I can't believe what i am reading. Maybe they look anorexic but are in recovery and a job is good for them
My daughter looks anorexic but eats more than me so she has plenty of energy
The discrimination on this thread is horrendous

[SabreIsMyFave]

@Babyroobs

Would people be equally concerned about taking on someone very overweight though as this could equally be due to an eating disorder?

Some employers are reluctant to take on obese people!

[3luckystars]

I agree, it would be hard to know what was going on just because they are very thin. It could be for many reasons.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Depends what the role is. If it’s WFH in office job maybe but if it involved physical effort or working with vulnerable individuals who might be at risk of idolising the person with anorexia then maybe not.

[AntonFeckoff]

@Vroomfondleswaistcoat

How would you know whether it was anorexia or some other condition? I have a friend who has had cancer and is VERY thin. She looks anorexic, but isn't.

Anorexia is anorexia whether it's caused by a psychological issue or a physiological one, such as recovering from cancer. I think the type of anorexia you're alluding to is anorexia nervosa. It's not clear what type the OP is referring to.

[LiterallyOnFire]

Is anorexia nervosa a disability?

Chronic illnesses often very easily fit under the category of disability discrimination protection.

[Hadalifeonce]

I used to have a direct report who was anorexic, she was very diligent, didn't need much managing, she was very happy to come in, do her job and go home. She wasn't interested in career development, or office politics, but joined in with the banter. I knew she was totally reliable.

[Sleepygrumpyandnothappy]

@saveforthat

Is anorexia nervosa a disability?

Yes.