Eight in 10 Say Obesity Slashes Hiring Chances
Reported June 09, 2009
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