Most people automatically say that weight should not be a hiring factor. However, WEIGHT DISCRIMINATION is alive and well.

(Source: BBC, CNBC, The Guardian, The Conversation)

The ugly truth is that slightly heavier females, suffer more in the workplace than even obviously overweight men. 

1. Research by Fairygodboss Survey answers from half a thousand recruiters, revealed: Over 20% of the recruiters, tagged the heavier women as looking lazy; 21% described heavier females as unprofessional looking; Under 16% chose 'possibly hiring' the larger woman.

2. Research by The Conversation In this study, 4 images each of women & men of healthy weight range were used. Also, a 2nd set of the same images was created with software that added weight to their faces. Now there was both the old, normal photograph plus a new “heavier” one. Recruiters were told the 2 faces were equally qualified for a specific position.

Enough weight were added to the male faces to tip the scales to overweight. The women however, were still falling in the healthy range. The recruiters had to rate each photograph's face on employability. The results were shocking >>>

The participants were shown the photographs twice. First, for a customer-oriented vacancy. Secondly, for a non-public position "in the back". The results: The slimmer men were more popular for the customer position. Both normal, and same-but-larger faces were O.K for the backroom job.

For the larger female faces, vs their same-but-normal faces, employability was significantly lower for both jobs. Regardless of the fact that these larger women were still in the healthy weight range.

3. Research by psychologist Stuart W Flint Flint, from Sheffield Hallam University, asked participants to evaluate candidates for different positions. The study compared CVs with different weight photographs, and the average weight group was found most desired for employment.

The least likely to be hired, were large women. Larger individuals are perceived as being “less physically capable and slothful”.  It is a sad truth: women are softer targets to workplace weight discrimination. “We see people being discriminated against because of their weight when they’re applying for jobs. They’re less likely to be hired than thinner individuals with the same qualifications.” said Puhl from BBC's Equality Matters.

Do you know someone who has received this type of discrimination?