Too Fat to Get a Job?

It is an inarguable fact that people who are overweight are at risk for more and greater health complications than their fit counterparts. But are employers just using this as an excuse to discriminate against those unemployed/underemployed Americans that they personally consider to be "too fat"? Are they using fat as a means of discriminating against job candidates regardless of their qualifications? The shocking answer is, "Yes."

Merriam Webster defines discrimination a few ways. One definition is very positive:

"the quality or power of finely distinguishing."

Two other definition (which I am referring to in this article) are not.

"the act, practice, or an instance of discriminating categorically rather than individually."
"prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, or treatment."

This may come as a shock to most. But it is a harsh reality. Many recruiters and hiring managers are eliminating overweight candidates that are too fat in their personal opinions from the pool of potential employees regardless of their skill set or capabilities to effectively handle the specifications of the job. Of course, they would never come out and tell fat people this to their faces as this would be considered unfair discrimination. But that doesn't mean it doesn't happen on a regular basis. From what I have been told by most industry professionals that make the decision on who gets hired or promoted, discrimination against fat people in the work place has become the rule; not the exception.

I've attended several workshops and seminars where recruiters and hiring managers came out and boldly stated that they would not consider a candidate for hire or promotion if that person was "too fat."

So along with all of the other good reasons why a body needs to take control of their health, assume responsibility for their fitness and well-being, work place discrimination against fat people (whether good or bad) is yet another reason to make a sound plan to get fit and stick to it.

Yahoo Contributor Network has an abundance of helpful articles addressing many aspects of fitness and well-being. There are several articles in my library about the basics of how to get started, different aspects of personal training and better understanding the basics of metabolism in addition to many other articles addressing many aspects of fitness including articles that inspire and motivate. They are all there to help you get fit and shed excessive body fat because I have a strong desire to pass on my knowledge to those who were in need. Now those who are unemployed/underemployed fall into the category of those in need whether they like it or not. If making fitness part of your daily life hasn't been a priority all the economic indicators are saying you'd better change your attitude. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, impending heart disease, adult onset diabetes, arthritis, difficulty performing the simplest tasks may not have been factors strong enough to motivate you because "that won't happen to you now." Well I am telling you that it most certainly is inhibiting your ability to generate an income so you'd better make it your business to get fit. The fact that there is pronounced discrimination against fat people in the work place might just be what pushes you in the right direction long before your health is greatly or permanently compromised.

Please don't shoot the messenger. I am not talking about my personal point of view. I am only passing on the information that other industry professionals have made abundantly clear to me. "If a person is fat, I won't hire or promote them, pointblank." Take this fitness tip as a way to motivate you to finally make the commitment to fitness and well-being. Don't let discrimination against fat people in the work place add to a negative spiral. Rededicate yourself to empowerment. Grab the bull by the horns and find the tools you need to move ahead in life both for your physical well-being as well as your financial well-being.

Here are a few of my articles that should help you get started:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6140744/how_to_choose_a_gym_thats_right_for.html?cat=5

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5640628/how_to_choose_a_personal_trainer.html?cat=5

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6048616/circuit_training_1.html?cat=50

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5574764/part_1_understanding_your_metabolism.html?cat=5