To think fat equals lazy to prospective employers

[Oldfatbrenda]

I've been to a few interviews lately and I can't help feeling at a disadvantage because I am fat. I'm a size 20/22 for context. I think we larger people are judged for it whether it's conciously or not. AIBU? I also feel this because I'm mid forties.... So a double whammy.

I think it depends. If the job requires a lot of physical fitness, ie heavy lifting and efficiency, then it's not unreasonable to take your general fitness into consideration. It's not a judgement on you being a large person, it's your capability to do the job with minimal struggle.

As an employer, I hadn't thought about this before. I wouldn't make that leap.

I can think of two previous colleagues - not people I hired, who were very overweight. One was exceptionally lazy and the other was constantly active and a complete workaholic.

I am influenced by people being smartly dressed in interviews though. If someone has clearly made an effort then that counts for a lot.

As for being in your 40s. I'm 60 and still working full time. You're a mere youth compared to me. 🤗

It's office jobs. I feel like I don't look as good in oversized clothes as when I was smaller. Perhaps it's just my own insecurities coming out.

This isn't my opinion but is it a concern that you would have more health issues and need more sick leave? And I know that's not necessarily true.

I once employed a caretaker who was overweight, I had reservations but he seemed really capable during the interview so offered him the job.

Amongst other things he refused to vacuum daily as per the cleaning rota and struggled with moving the heavy bins around, which was another fundamental part of his job.

I will admit I vowed I would never employ someone who was over weight again, but that was for a specific physical role.

It has never crossed my mind for other positions but I don’t think I could honestly rule out having concern’s because of that experience.

How are you feeling about your weight and aging? It sounds more like you are projecting your own feelings onto others. Unless working in an industry where size matters like comfortably fitting up and down narrow spaces like a flight attendant I think most industry's are up on unconscious bias now during the recruitment stages. Physically demanding jobs may also be a issue if the new employee refused to do part of their role as they were physically unable despite it being an essential part of the role as PP said above.

I think yes, lots probably do even if subconsciously.

I'm recruiting at the moment and struggling to get decent candidates.

I couldn't give two shits if someone is overweight if they've got good excel and power bi skills, and can efficiently multitask!

It is a known bias, there have been several studies on it. This absolutely exists sadly. Google weight bias.

There is masses of evidence that people are prejudiced against fat people and especially fat women. So you aren't imagining things.

However, it is also clear that plenty of fat women have jobs so it's not insurmountable.

Significantly overweight people are way more likely to take time off work for health reasons. I would not be entirely surprised if a hiring decision between two similarly experienced and qualified candidates, one a healthy weight and one who was obese the former would get the offer.

I do think a lot of people think this, even if it's subconsciously, yes.

Or they'll think there's a lack of self-discipline that may carry over into their work.

Or that in a physical job, they'll be slower than slimmer colleagues.

Of course it's all ridiculous, but I'm sure that's how some people think.

Significantly overweight people are way more likely to take time off work for health reasons.

Are they? Would be interested to see the stats on that.

I think it’s a thing even if people don’t realise they are doing it. People have unconscious bias about lots of things (age, race, nationality, sex, gender, certain religions, weight, beauty etc). The common trope is that fat = lazy/a slob/letting yourself go etc. People will internalise that to at least some extent.

I agree with @InYourBedNow

If you have good marketing skills and can get on with your colleagues as part of a team, you'd get an interview straight away in our company. Competent candidates are hard to find.

I think, treat yourself to a new interview outfit that makes you feel good, and you'll be fine.

@Oldfatbrenda - only you can change how you feel about yourself.

If you go to an interview feeling bad, that's what you portray to your future employer subconsciously.

https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2022/12/20/the-economics-of-thinness

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-69002714.amp

Here you go, @Janome9300; it's a european study rather than purely UK, but I'd be surprised if the issues are any different here:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/may/12/overweight-people-more-likely-to-take-sick-leave-european-study-finds

Edited to say sorry, @TheCadoganArms - I see you beat me to it

That article misses a really important point. One of the best predictors for putting on weight (regardless of your starting point) is going on a diet. It would be hugely economically advantageous to go from fat to thin (same as it would be to go from female to male or black to white or disabled to able bodied) but for ambitious women to try as hard as possible to be thin is not likely to result in being thinner over the long term.

I know people really hate that this is true but it is - read the science about it.

I think that sadly there are all sorts of stereotypes attached to being (significantly and visibly) overweight. Lazy, likely to suffer from health problems, poor self discipline, plus a vague often subconscious 'othering' that often means that all things being equal, an over weight person will be less likely to be chosen if there is an equally qualified healthy weight person. Obviously not all employers will have this attitude, some will understand and address unconscious bias, others will use strict scoring criteria that leaves little room for bias, others still will not have these prejudices. But unfortunately it would be disingenuous to pretend you will never be disadvantaged.

@Puzzledandpissedoff

Thanks will read into that.

Is 'likely to suffer from health problems' a stereotype though. Statistically this is true.

I'm lazy and fat and I've always gotten the job I've interviewed for.

I must say it's always for office type jobs and I have a lot of experience but I'm very confident and dress nice for the interview so I think you should get yourself a nice new outfit and just do your best - good luck!

Except, it's not remotely possible to go from female to male or black to white. But it is possible to go from fat to thin. 'Going on a diet' may have been proven to be ineffectual, but a long term strategy of eating the foods ones body needs in the quantities it needs will for the vast majority who don't have a medical condition, result in weight loss. Very few people are 'fat' as a fixed characteristic in the way they are female or black.