You left a strong impression with your resume, and then nailed the phone
interview for a new job. The chemistry almost couldn't get any better. But
just after a face-to-face meeting with your prospective boss, the situation
abruptly changes.
The hiring manager doesn't return your phone calls and later you're rudely
told the position has been filled.
What happened?
Of all turn-off reasons, personal image ― namely the weight factor ― is the
biggest to blame, say job seekers.
A survey done by a Seoul-based obesity clinic showed Tuesday that more than
83 percent of 450 male and female job seekers feel that being overweight
leads to all sorts of socioeconomic disadvantages, from landing a job to
getting a promotion.
Kim Jung-eun, the director of 365mc Clinic, said obese people tend to give
the perception that they are inactive, unmotivated and lazy, all of which
employers don't want to see in their prospective employees.
"Overweight men and women are often dealing with a lot more stress than
those who are healthy and fit,'' said Kim, explaining that the emotional
strain could ultimately have a negative affect on interpersonal
relationships in the workplace.
And recruiters know this all too well, according to career coach Kim Na-ri,
who provides consultation to local companies.
"If there are two equally qualified candidates, one overweight and the other
not, the hiring choice is obvious,'' said Kim, who said the reality is that
people battling obesity get stigmatized on all levels.
Not being hired is one thing, she said, but getting passed over for
promotions and being teased or harassed are other issues they face.
Weight-based discrimination silently affects numerous aspects of employment,
especially in Korean society where both men and women idolize "perfect''
figures, but there isn't much to soften the bias, explained Kim.
Health experts, however, point out the mistake to automatically link obesity
to unproductiveness.
"The common assumption that overweight people lack discipline and don't care
about their health and appearance is a flawed prejudice,'' said Yoon Jae-min,
a diet consultant at CU Clinic.
She said that oftentimes the criticism and discrimination are factors
driving overweight people to become obese.
"It's easy for those emotionally vulnerable to take the negative perception
and comments to heart,'' said Yoon, stressing that such emotional pain can
be tougher to overcome than losing weight.
Source : The Korean Times
