Would you hire a morbidly obese person?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would impact my decision, yes. I see morbid obesity as a huge charachter flaw and would have concerns about their ability to perform.

Same reason I wouldn't hire a woman wearing a massive engagement ring or 5 inch heels.

Exactly. We all have predjudices and to pretend we don't is silly.

No moron. If you know you have a prejudice you fight to overcome it. You don't indulge in it. Especially if you are aware that you're being biased without any merit.

The only difference between fat people and other people is that they supposedly wear their flaws on their frame. You just can't see those same flaws in so-called skinny people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would impact my decision, yes. I see morbid obesity as a huge charachter flaw and would have concerns about their ability to perform.

Same reason I wouldn't hire a woman wearing a massive engagement ring or 5 inch heels.

This is why I have never worn my massive ring to interviews, especially if the interviewer is a woman. In fact I try and look as plain Jane as possible. I'll wear to work after the offer tho.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would impact my decision, yes. I see morbid obesity as a huge charachter flaw and would have concerns about their ability to perform.

Same reason I wouldn't hire a woman wearing a massive engagement ring or 5 inch heels.

Exactly. We all have predjudices and to pretend we don't is silly.

No moron. If you know you have a prejudice you fight to overcome it. You don't indulge in it. Especially if you are aware that you're being biased without any merit.

The only difference between fat people and other people is that they supposedly wear their flaws on their frame. You just can't see those same flaws in so-called skinny people.

Yes, they do wear it. If they can't be bothered to take care of themselves why should I bother reevaluating my experiences with work ethic and morbid obesity?

[Anonymous]

For my floor? No. At a moments notice, staff has to run to an alarm, sometime quickly changing direction. Before I was a manager, 2 morbidly obese people were hired. If an alarm goes off in close proximity they will run and then be winded. If one goes off all the way down the hall, they don't run. The time difference between walking to an alarm and running is all the time needed for a patient to be on the floor.

There are also issues, that depending on the amount of equipment a patient has, someone who is morbidly obese cannot properly assist the patient because they cannot fit.

[Anonymous]

For my floor? No. At a moments notice, staff has to run to an alarm, sometime quickly changing direction. Before I was a manager, 2 morbidly obese people were hired. If an alarm goes off in close proximity they will run and then be winded. If one goes off all the way down the hall, they don't run. The time difference between walking to an alarm and running is all the time needed for a patient to be on the floor.

There are also issues, that depending on the amount of equipment a patient has, someone who is morbidly obese cannot properly assist the patient because they cannot fit.

The OP is talking about a job in IT. Do IT people run a lot?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

For my floor? No. At a moments notice, staff has to run to an alarm, sometime quickly changing direction. Before I was a manager, 2 morbidly obese people were hired. If an alarm goes off in close proximity they will run and then be winded. If one goes off all the way down the hall, they don't run. The time difference between walking to an alarm and running is all the time needed for a patient to be on the floor.

There are also issues, that depending on the amount of equipment a patient has, someone who is morbidly obese cannot properly assist the patient because they cannot fit.

The OP is talking about a job in IT. Do IT people run a lot?

Well actually OP's original question was would YOU hire a morbidly obese person? Only later did she mention it was a desk job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IT

I knew this would be the answer. I don't know of any ITers that aren't obese or at least don't have a potbelly hanging over their 2 pleated khaiki pants.

Really? I know many who do not look like that. Perhaps you are thinking of the stereotype of IT workers? You do realize that there are many IT jobs that are not "tech support". A good number of the programmers I know are fit or skinny hipsters. dH's two best friends co own their own IT company (the two of them are the only employees) and both are gym junkies who wouldnt be caught dead in pleated khakis. Maybe try to expand your world and not live in the land of stereotypes?

[Anonymous]

Outside of tech support, majority of tech workers are in shape. Corporate policies push wellness hard and everyone has some fitness related hobby. That being said, I certainly have discriminated against overweight and obese individuals in the past. Certainly many are lazy and or have terrible hygiene. However, quite a few have surprised me. I feel that the realistic ones who know their appearance is an aesthetic challenge compensate by being positive and hard working. As long as they were well groomed, I would hire an obese person. Being around fit people may do this person good and help change bad habits. Many have taken chances on me in the past and I'm in a successful situation now. I'm always looking to pay it forward. Do the right thing and hire this individual if they are qualified and will work hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I don't even like to hire overweight people who aren't morbidly obese. It shows lack of self-discipline. It shows laziness and a lack of self-respect. Not the kind of people I want working for me.

How do you know they are overweight because of lack of self discipline and self respect?
How shallow can you be?

[Anonymous]

Some of you are awful. I hope you get what you deserve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I have issues I tackle them (and I've had some doozies). For someone to be so wounded from childhood that they weigh 350 lbs - well, at some point it seems like he's too lazy to fix the underlying issues that are quite literally going to kill him.

But you'd hire a skinny person - bc "obviously" - if they have any taken care of any unresolved trauma from childhood, right?
"When I have issues I tackle them"...? I hope life throws some serious crap your way. Maybe then, you will learn to have some empathy for others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I have issues I tackle them (and I've had some doozies). For someone to be so wounded from childhood that they weigh 350 lbs - well, at some point it seems like he's too lazy to fix the underlying issues that are quite literally going to kill him.

Just shut up.

[Anonymous]

If they are qualified yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hire 12-18 people each year. Yes, I would if it was a white collar position. Is it desk work?

Don't chalk his not getting hired up to his weight. I do think that can contribute to a feeling of slight discomfort in the interviews, but if he's well-dressed they should be able to see beyond that to his skills, personality and what he brings to the table.

Yes, it is desk work. He was laid off recently (many layoffs here) and has had many interviews - he's amazing on paper and has such a charismatic personality. I can't figure out why no one is biting but I wonder if it is the weight.

No. I am very fit and - been told - good looking woman, I am getting a lot of interviews with no offers.
I don't think Americans are no longer hired in IT industry.
I am getting out into statistics or contract writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hire 12-18 people each year. Yes, I would if it was a white collar position. Is it desk work?

Don't chalk his not getting hired up to his weight. I do think that can contribute to a feeling of slight discomfort in the interviews, but if he's well-dressed they should be able to see beyond that to his skills, personality and what he brings to the table.

Yes, it is desk work. He was laid off recently (many layoffs here) and has had many interviews - he's amazing on paper and has such a charismatic personality. I can't figure out why no one is biting but I wonder if it is the weight.

No. I am very fit and - been told - good looking woman, I am getting a lot of interviews with no offers.
I don't think Americans are no longer hired in IT industry.
I am getting out into statistics or contract writing.

I think Americans*