Is being fat counting against my DH in the job market?

[BlitheringIdiot]

Just that, really. He is in a very specialised field, and was made redundant in the summer owing to a company restructure. While in that job he spent long hours working from home, and pit on a lot of weight.

He has had a lot of success with getting initial telephone interviews- but every interview he has attended in person has ended in rejection. It's really getting to him, as he knows he is extremely well qualified and very capable- and there isn't a large pool of people who can say the same.

Do, my question is- could size be putting people off employing him? I would really appreciate honest opinions as this is not the sort of thing he will be told when he requests feedback!

Thanks in advance.

How can we answer that? Do you mean he’s morbidly obese? Because I can’t imagine being a bit tubby would even register on recruiters’ radar. If he’s two or three stone overweight then I really doubt it’s that. If he’s 8 stone overweight then I suppose it’s a possibility, but one that relies on every single recruiter being highly prejudiced. Unless the job involves a physical element that he can’t do if he’s overweight. Or is he very unkempt with his shirt straining at the buttons?

In summary - I doubt it’s that and you should lay off him!

I'd guess or depends how big, 14/15st probably not, 20st plus, sadly probably yes.

Does he dress appropriately, Wear the right size clothes etc? This would help a lot.

Thank you for your replies: in answer to how big he is, I would say he is definitely obese, but not morbidly so. It's not like 'shut in', 'sponge on a stick' stage...

He can't wear standard sizes- but I honestly don't know what he weighs. His suit looks ok I think, he bought a very big one and had it tailored to fit.

I know it's a difficult question to answer without a picture but I suppose I just want to know whether it could be a factor...

I doubt it is that unless it's a physical role. Being overweight and even obese is so commonplace today if employers chose not to employ anyone overweight they wouldn't be able to fill the roles.

Yes it could be an issue. I have a very overweight male staff member and it was definitely a factor when we were recruiting- did employ him but there was much debate. And still is an issue in terms of his physical mobility which is frustrating at times.

It might count against him if there were two otherwise equal candidates, but from what you say about him being a specialist with few peers that doesn't seem to be the case.

If he is in a specialist area could he look at consulting?

If he's very large, yes, I think it will be held against him by a lot of businesses. How much does he weigh?

I think he is being discriminated against due to his size. Does he want to do anything about his weight?

Potentially in subconcius way then yes it may. It has been shown weight can effect peoples ability to get a job/

Yes. Unfortunately, I think it could be a factor. People can hold a lot of unchecked prejudice about those who are overweight.

In my line of work (professional City work, nothing physical) I honestly think it would count against him. The vast majority of the people I am surrounded by are in good shape. E.g. a woman over a size 14 tends to stand out. I will probably get flamed for saying this, but I think there is a lot of judgement in my profession of people that are overweight. There is I think a perception amongst some (not that I agree with it) that if you can't look after yourself you lack self discipline and motivation.

Not trying to be harsh, but you did ask for honesty.

I hope he finds the right job very soon.

@BlitheringIdiot It's not like 'shut in', 'sponge on a stick' stage...

Sorry, I just came in to say that made me snort with laughter! Otherwise, I'm no help.

I think there is evidence that shows a correlation between being overweight/obese and finding it harder to get a job. People can subconsciously hold negative stereotypes about obese people. They may also have conscious concerns if e.g. he would have to visit client sites, or he's so large that he would need specialist office furniture.

However, if he's had several face to face interviews and no offers, are you sure there's nothing else about his interview technique which might be a problem? Phone screens tend not to be so in depth, and you'd often only speak to one person rather than having e.g. a panel interview. Addressing any weaknesses in interview technique might be quicker and easier than losing weight!

I also agree that it's possible It might be being held against him to be honest. People may have concerns that his health might be poor etc or there is a that awful stereotype of overweight people as being lazy.

It might have nothing to do with that though and realistically you'll probably never know for sure.

Obese employees are sick more often than healthy weight employees, so as a hiring manager, I think you would be remiss not to take this into consideration when filling a position.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.livescience.com/amp/6819-obese-employees-sick-leave.html

In today’s image driven society being overweight or obese will absolutely count against your chances of being employed. I think many employers take the first impressions seriously and unfortunately being obese says a great deal about your personal drive and lack of willpower. Obesity screams laziness to many people so that’s going to be a subconscious discrimination on the employers part. Can he not lose some weight and get healthy? It may motivate him.

Agree with the other posters. Being obese probably isn't helping his chances.

Has he tried public sector, OP? There is a strong drive towards inclusion including raising awareness of unconscious bias which can adversely influence recruitment choices if not kept in check.

I know it isn't my business .... but shouldn't he address the weight anyway, if for no other reason than for his own QoL and wellbeing ?

I think it will be seen negatively, possibly unconsciously, by a lot of people. I've seen lots of posts on here where obese people detail the sort of comments they overhear or are actively taunted with. For many people obesity = lazy, no self-control.

For many people obesity = lazy, no self-control

And therein lies the rub. In recruitment, those biased unfounded views stand to exclude a vast swathe of talent and should have no place in selecting people based on their ability to do a specific job.

It begs the question what happens when someone is recruited and sometime later down the line they put on weight. Are they ordered to join SW when they reach a certain size!

Yes it is possible OP - see article below. Although it's far more likely to affect women than men.

www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/02/half-of-employers-say-they-are-less-inclined-to-recruit-obese-candidates-its-not-ok

Maybe a very strange suggestion. Do you think that it may help if he mentions it himself. For example he could say that he has a glandular problem or something, it may change perception.

Don’t say you have a glandular problem if you don’t! I genuinely do have a glandular problem which causes me to put on weight, but people think it’s just an excuse! 😆

I remember where I worked there was an incident where a chair used by an obese person became gradually damaged and collapsed causing injury. After investigation by Health and Safety they were told they had to order specialist equipment for any obese staff. In reality the added hassle probably just put them off hiring them in the first place.