Can Your Weight Keep You From Getting a Job?
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Obesity is one of the nation's greatest public health problems. According to the Center for Disease Control, an estimated 64 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. Studies show that overweight Americans suffer medical ailments more often than their slimmer peers – from diabetes and hypertension to degenerative conditions like arthritis and many types of cancer.
And if that news isn't enough to get you on the treadmill, chew on this: Studies also show that out-of-shape Americans earn less on average than their co-workers do. Not only can being fit cost you less in medical bills and insurance, it can earn you more on the job.
Al Mientus, an executive recruiter for Pinnacle Partnership, says employers are "significantly less inclined" to hire the overweight. "It has to do with an employer's perception of work ethic," he says. "Employers believe that if you were hard-working and ambitious you would stay in shape."
The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) states that only one in 11 top male executives is overweight. The message is clear: Those who are fit enough to climb are more likely to make it to the top of the ladder.
Academic studies provide further proof that being in shape can boost your earning potential. A University of Michigan study reported that the total net worth of moderately to severely obese women is as much as 60 percent below average. And a Cornell study by John Cawley, professor of policy analysis, found that overweight Caucasian women earn 9 percent less than those who are slim.
So will being out of shape keep you from getting a job? Another Cawley study indicates for mid-level and entry level jobs, "...there is no effect of weight on the probability of employment or sector of occupation." But carrying some extra pounds can hurt your chances of climbing the ladder. "At the executive level, being overweight will hinder your chances of employment," Mientus says.
If building a better body will help you build a better career, what steps should you take for a job-boosting physique? Mientus tells his clients to approach body improvement like they approach improving their job skills. Here are his suggested solutions:
Define your goals: "Just like identifying that you have to improve certain work skills, you must also identify what health skills you need to improve," Mientus says. Whether it's altering your diet or getting more aerobic exercise, even building muscle mass, it's important to set goals for improvement.
Schedule healthy activities: "You have to make appointments for exercise and eating right, just like you schedule time in your day for meetings or training that will boost your skills or network," Mientus says.
Find a mentor: "The best mentor is one that is at your workplace with you – someone who fits exercise into their work day," Mientus says. If you can't find someone at work who can lead by example, a spouse or friend is also a good choice. "Someone who will see you every day to help remind and guide you is very helpful," he adds.
Dress the part: Once you start to get in better shape, choose clothes that tastefully show off your new physique. "Fit people naturally look more confident, but good clothes that fit well accentuate that confident look," Mientus notes.
So on your next lunch break, grab a workout with the sales manager and then join her for an Evian and chicken quesadilla (hold the sour cream). Your thinner body, and fatter wallet, will thank you!
Information gather from MSN Careers -
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Dear Kops, i think it depends on the job scope or criteria needed in the job.....
of cos, we cant expect SIA to hire Obese ppl as flight stewardess right
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I know that looks can keep u from getting a job, but weight
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if you're about 400lbs, the employer starts to think about health coverage...
there was this dude at work who was about 400lbs... he retired after a while due to health reasons...
in reality, he was just unable to get to grips with his eating habits... he was about 170lbs when he joined service..
ultimately, at 400lbs, he was unable to carry out his duties properly and was probably asked to retire...
that's weight and health issues...
however, if you're healthy and the employer hires someone with a better physique but with lousier qualifications for an office job, there's something seriously wrong... -
Looks aside, aircraft has take off weight limitOriginally posted by cindtan29:Dear Kops, i think it depends on the job scope or criteria needed in the job.....
of cos, we cant expect SIA to hire Obese ppl as flight stewardess right -
Originally posted by Qitai:Looks aside, aircraft has take off weight limit
then next time, passenger need to go for weight measurement b4 boarding
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yes...
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you didn't know?
if you are over a certain weight, you have to buy 2 seats...Originally posted by Kenashi:
then next time, passenger need to go for weight measurement b4 boarding -
I thought that applied to size n not weight n only on certain airlines!!Originally posted by the Bear:you didn't know?
if you are over a certain weight, you have to buy 2 seats... -
*shrugs* Weight affects how one looks
Some companies' recruitment practice do not require applicants to submit their photographs because they don't/cannot select based on looks. So it's a relatively even playing field where looks/weight is not a factor... until the applicants go for interviews.Originally posted by Kenashi:I know that looks can keep u from getting a job, but weight -
you cannot be 500lbs and not show it right??
alternatively, they make you buy 1st or business classOriginally posted by Kenashi:I thought that applied to size n not weight n only on certain airlines!! -
yes...i heard this from one of the expat in my company...he was dam.n mad then.....Originally posted by the Bear:you cannot be 500lbs and not show it right??
alternatively, they make you buy 1st or business class -
well, they can't have the overweight person "spilling over" into the space of the people sitting beside...
already, the seats are very cramped... and someone who is about 6' and normal weight like me has no space to move about, the airlines are forced to do so..Originally posted by cindtan29:yes...i heard this from one of the expat in my company...he was dam.n mad then..... -
Ever wonder why airlines limit the weight but not the size of check-in baggagesOriginally posted by Kenashi:
then next time, passenger need to go for weight measurement b4 boarding
Also look around next time you travel, the heavy weight people may end up sitting in the center of the plane -
Physics! hahahaha!!!Originally posted by Qitai:Ever wonder why airlines limit the weight but not the size of check-in baggages
Also look around next time you travel, the heavy weight people may end up sitting in the center of the plane I guess we can't have a plane flying nose end down or tail end up! hehehee! 
Hmm... I've been put towards the front and towards the back of planes before... so I guess, I'm not that bad, yeah? What a relief!
Now, where's that Ramly's Burger? 
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That's true...Originally posted by cindtan29:Dear Kops, i think it depends on the job scope or criteria needed in the job.....
of cos, we cant expect SIA to hire Obese ppl as flight stewardess right
That's part of the reason why I want to bring down my BMI... it's odd to have an obese nurse telling patients about weight management or diet.
Sadly, there are a few nurses who have such 'generous dimensions' that they seriously need to start working out.
I think a fat doc / nurse is a... what's the word, juxtaposition? It's kinda like a peace-loving soldier or a bankrupt stockbroker or an anorexic chef... -
You will feel slim once you have tried sitting beside a real fat American.Originally posted by Rhonda:Hmm... I've been put towards the front and towards the back of planes before... so I guess, I'm not that bad, yeah? What a relief! (>>200kg 
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Actually, I felt sexy when I was in the US about three years back!Originally posted by Qitai:You will feel slim once you have tried sitting beside a real fat American. (>>200kg ) And mind you, at that time, I was at least 12 kgs heavier! -
haha...u tok as if you r really fat lehOriginally posted by Rhonda:That's true...
That's part of the reason why I want to bring down my BMI... it's odd to have an obese nurse telling patients about weight management or diet.
Sadly, there are a few nurses who have such 'generous dimensions' that they seriously need to start working out.
I think a fat doc / nurse is a... what's the word, juxtaposition? It's kinda like a peace-loving soldier or a bankrupt stockbroker or an anorexic chef...
but then again....we have not met yet so i cannot comment on your BMI but its true abt the phase u mentioned.....a nurse telling patient to be in the right weight.....hehe
*u very adorable* -
i'm a peace-loving soldier.. at least when i am doing my reservist...
i thank God i'm a medic by training
but seriously.. i need to lose some weight.. my 2 1/2 weeks at reservist, all we did was eat and waste time... so i put on some weight -
Waaaaaaaah!Originally posted by cindtan29:haha...u tok as if you r really fat leh
but then again....we have not met yet so i cannot comment on your BMI but its true abt the phase u mentioned.....a nurse telling patient to be in the right weight.....hehe
*u very adorable* Really ah? I like being adored! hehehe!