Should Massachusetts pass a proposed anti-weight discrimination law?

[WriterDom]

which would protect people from being hired or fired due to fatness?

 

[WriterDom]

I don't get it. A Dallas Cowboy cheerleader packs on 100 pounds and she sues if she isn't on the squad the next year? Does Bubba have a claim to a job because he's 1200# and rolled into the interview in a wheelbarrow? Only to have Suzy state claim for the job because her BMI is higher than Bubba's?

I know it's a fact that attractive people tend to have an easier lot in life at times based on their looks. But in another 20 years we'll have half the workforce on disability at 40 because they are simply too fat. Making them a protected group is going to help this?

 

[Davetmat]

I don't get it. A Dallas Cowboy cheerleader packs on 100 pounds and she sues if she isn't on the squad the next year? Does Bubba have a claim to a job because he's 1200# and rolled into the interview in a wheelbarrow? Only to have Suzy state claim for the job because her BMI is higher than Bubba's?

I know it's a fact that attractive people tend to have an easier lot in life at times based on their looks. But in another 20 years we'll have half the workforce on disability at 40 because they are simply too fat. Making them a protected group is going to help this?

To me, looks don't factor into this it's all about healthy living and active lifestyle, if you never move off the couch and eat bacon wrapped cheese sticks compared to the person who at least attempts some minimal weekly exercise, walking or swimming.

Why protect someone who'd rather just sue a work place instead of attempting to get themselves up to speed for the physical requirements of the work, we have qualification requirements for certain jobs.
I'm not saying you need height and weight restrictions but realistically not everyone is suited for their desired job, you wont get a 300 pound man installing insulation.

 

[VelvetDarkness]

I don't know. I think it's stupid and shortsighted to think that obese people aren't capable of being useful members of society but putting it on a par with disability is IMHO something of an insult to people who have serious medical problems through no fault of their own.

I may get flamed but there were no fat people with slow metabolisms in Auchwitz. Most obese people can make the choice to become more active, eat less and lose weight. Disabled people don't have that luxury.

I do know that obesity is often secondary to disability that forces someone into a sedentary lifestyle but I do believe that with support and determination that can be managed and overcome.

I understand that over weight people suffer prejudice but I think that a law like this would set a dangerous precedent.

 

[LittleJade]

I am certified to sell insurance (life, car, home, etc) in my province. I have half of the training towards becoming a certified financial planner.

And I will never get a job in the field, because "people don't want to buy insurance from a fat woman".

I went on about 12 different interviews (my town isn't THAT big), and HALF didn't hire me because "I just don't have the right look". Well of course, it's me, so I prodded, and pushed, and finally, 4 of those 6 told me that people don't want to buy insurance from a fat person. When I pointed out that another employee, a male one, was fat, they ammended their statement to say 'fat woman', not just 'fat person'.

I got 91% on my exam. I know the stuff. I can fricking sell ice to an eskimo. I'm gifted with people. I'm believable. And I carry myself well (no one would ever believe that I weigh what I weigh, because I carry it well). And I didn't get the job because of my weight.

I can understand not giving someone a physically demanding job, or a cheerleading job because the applicant is overweight. They need to be able to perform the tasks that they're being hired for. They need to be able to fit the requirements of the job.

The insurance/CFP jobs did not REQUIRE that I be thin... I could do all of the work and do it well... it was an image thing.

 

[WriterDom]

You ever noticed the ladies who push pills to doctors? Most of them are damn near perfect 10s. Is it just a perception that attractive people are better salespersons? If its a reality then why should the government step in and tell an employer who to hire?

Now if it is an office job and not a sales job dealing with the public I don't think weight should matter.

 

[LittleJade]

You ever noticed the ladies who push pills to doctors? Most of them are damn near perfect 10s. Is it just a perception that attractive people are better salespersons? If its a reality then why should the government step in and tell an employer who to hire?

Now if it is an office job and not a sales job dealing with the public I don't think weight should matter.

So you're saying that you agree with the insurance firms, and that I shouldn't get to have a sales job, because I'm fat.

Even though other salespeople... MALE ones... were hired?

It's okay for men to be fat, and not women... and it's okay to deny someone a job they're perfectly able to perform (in every sales position, including my current one, that I've ever had... I've been the top producer of the bunch).. just because they're fat?

 

[LittleJade]

You ever noticed the ladies who push pills to doctors? Most of them are damn near perfect 10s. Is it just a perception that attractive people are better salespersons? If its a reality then why should the government step in and tell an employer who to hire?

Now if it is an office job and not a sales job dealing with the public I don't think weight should matter.

And by the way-

I think you just called me unattractive.

Thanks for that.

 

[WriterDom]

No, I'm not passing judgement on you or anyone. That's just the way it is, and yes there is very much a double stardard when it comes to men. Men are deemed to be more attractive as they age for some reason. A woman is supposed to be 35 forever.

 

[Netzach]

I am not sure these kinds of changes can be legislated. While transgender is a protected class in some places, it sure as fuck doesn't mean that trannies aren't relegated to the front desk at a couple of enlightened Kinkos here. Kudos to Kinkos, but seriously, I know people with degrees with that job because no one else will hire the not-perfectly-passing.

 

[Netzach]

I'd also suggest to anyone experiencing this kind of thing to if/when possible MOVE. Move to somewhere like NYC, somewhere other than "your town" somewhere bigger - people begin to cease to give a crap what you look like and what you come from when you can bring the money. The money talks. I know that seems harsh, but Dan Savage says it to every small town gay boy in the closet and he's right.

 

[Netzach]

You ever noticed the ladies who push pills to doctors? Most of them are damn near perfect 10s. Is it just a perception that attractive people are better salespersons? If its a reality then why should the government step in and tell an employer who to hire?

Now if it is an office job and not a sales job dealing with the public I don't think weight should matter.

I sold high end clothes horse clothing at a size 14, well over the average client's size.

They loved me. LOVED.

It was very reassuring to them to feel so much more attractive than the salesgirl, and frankly if the attracting in question was the men they found attractive, I was HAPPY to be the non-threat. Beautiful.

"Fat people can't sell" is the logic of people who don't know anything about sales.

 

[LittleJade]

I'd also suggest to anyone experiencing this kind of thing to if/when possible MOVE. Move to somewhere like NYC, somewhere other than "your town" somewhere bigger - people begin to cease to give a crap what you look like and what you come from when you can bring the money. The money talks. I know that seems harsh, but Dan Savage says it to every small town gay boy in the closet and he's right.

I reported all four companies to the BBB, and each was heavily fined.

And I don't want to move. Insurance wasn't REALLY what I wanted to do- I did it because I needed something to do while I was preparing for what I WANT to do.... which I'm now waiting to hear back from the University about... to see if I got into the program.

It just sucked.

 

[LittleJade]

"Fat people can't sell" is the logic of people who don't know anything about sales.

Agreed.

And I've done the clothing sales thing, too, and ran circles around the more slender salesladies.

 

[Netzach]

I reported all four companies to the BBB, and each was heavily fined.

And I don't want to move. Insurance wasn't REALLY what I wanted to do- I did it because I needed something to do while I was preparing for what I WANT to do.... which I'm now waiting to hear back from the University about... to see if I got into the program.

It just sucked.

If they actually TOLD you this, they deserve every dollar of the fine, and it's astounding to me they're still in business. Ethical aside, it's beyond stupid, if they're that dumb I'm amazed they can tie a shoe.

I guess they assumed you'd never think to tell anyone.

 

[LittleJade]

If they actually TOLD you this, they deserve every dollar of the fine, and it's astounding to me they're still in business. Ethical aside, it's beyond stupid, if they're that dumb I'm amazed they can tie a shoe.

I guess they assumed you'd never think to tell anyone.

I guess they assumed the fat girl wouldn't have the confidence.

Heh.

 

[Netzach]

I guess they assumed the fat girl wouldn't have the confidence.

Heh.

You're also pretty smokin'. They seriously lost some shallow looks based sales.

 

[LittleJade]

You're also pretty smokin'. They seriously lost some shallow looks based sales.

*curtsey* Thank you.

 

[intothewoods]

You're also pretty smokin'. They seriously lost some shallow looks based sales.

Word! I'm sorry, but there are all kinds of men, and women, who like all kinds of bodies. And I don't just mean that in a 'it's what's on the inside that counts' kind of way. I know quite a few overweight women who get hit on constantly. And there are skinny girls who have body issues, and it's a complete turn off. It all depends on how you work it!

I have to say though, I don't know about NYC! Man, there is some pressure to be skinny there. It's a little insane.

 

[WriterDom]

I think a woman buying clothes from another woman wouldn't care about her dress size. Just her fashion sense and how good she could make the buyer look. The fact that she isn't "perfect" might even be an advantage. Because there is no perfection and I think even so called pretty women have issues about something.

But to tell someone they aren't being hired because of their weight is completely unnecessary and they should be fined.

 

[Netzach]

Word! I'm sorry, but there are all kinds of men, and women, who like all kinds of bodies. And I don't just mean that in a 'it's what's on the inside that counts' kind of way. I know quite a few overweight women who get hit on constantly. And there are skinny girls who have body issues, and it's a complete turn off. It all depends on how you work it!

I have to say though, I don't know about NYC! Man, there is some pressure to be skinny there. It's a little insane.

Maybe if you're a white chick in an all-white firm or something, but I had a skinny butt in a lot of the places I worked, and large lush Dominican booty wasn't "out." I admit I was perving on the one train a lot in secret.

And these were very lucrative environments and very white collar people of all races shapes and sizes. I seriously miss that environment sometimes. However, I also wasn't a size 14 when I lived there - there is something about the walk-every-freaking-place culture and the sheer stress level that makes about a 30 pound difference for me.

 

[intothewoods]

Maybe if you're a white chick in an all-white firm or something, but I had a skinny butt in a lot of the places I worked, and large lush Dominican booty wasn't "out." I admit I was perving on the one train a lot in secret.

And these were very lucrative environments and very white collar people of all races shapes and sizes. I seriously miss that environment sometimes. However, I also wasn't a size 14 when I lived there - there is something about the walk-every-freaking-place culture and the sheer stress level that makes about a 30 pound difference for me.

I've never lived there, but this was mostly a young white hipster sort of crowd. I was shocked at how starved these girls looked. It was really odd.

 

[intothewoods]

Oh, on the booty subject, you know what's hot? A girl with a big booty who works it. I mean, she really shakes it when she walks. I love that shit!

 

[graceanne]

And, once again, everyone assumed that people who're fat are lazy or eat too much. Not everyone who's fat is lazy and eats too much. I'm not lazy and I barely eat, and I'm not going to go into how much I weigh.

Beyond that, I used to sell underwear - and the overweight clients PREFERRED me. They told me, flat out, that their was no way that those 'skinny minnys' could have any clue what their bra needs were. Quite often, if I wasn't there, they'd find out when my next scheduled day was and leave.

 

[jockdom]

Are overweight people, in the usa, not allready penalised when getting health insurance?