Confronting Weight Bias in the Workplace

Weight-based harassment and discrimination are real—and getting worse.

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Harmful Judgments Among Colleagues   When confronting weight-based bias and harassment in the workplace, there's no shortage of personal testimonies. Take, for example, Anna Burns. Growing up, Burns' peers often mocked her body size. They made false assumptions about her intelligence and athletic ability based on her weight. The ridicule followed her into adulthood—albeit in subtler, more covert ways. There was the time when her chief people officer openly shamed her for eating a cupcake in the office. In another job, a supervisor spoke aloud about needing to go on a diet, knowing that Burns, who proudly refers to herself as a "fat person," was in earshot. "I've experienced weight discrimination across my lifetime, throughout different years, cities and industries," says Burns, a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant in Bridgeport, Conn. "Because it's so accepted and ingrained in our culture, anti-fat bias is the norm, and in my experience, no time, place or space is immune from it entirely." Burns isn't alone. More than 40 percent of U.S. adults report experiencing weight-related stigma at some point in their lives. In the workplace, this can take the form of teasing, taunting and microaggressions. Research has found that as obesity rates have risen in the U.S., so too has weight discrimination. With nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults classified as overweight, and more than 2 in 5 meeting the clinical definition of obesity, it follows that a significant number of people in today's workforce are likely to face weight-based workplace discrimination, potentially harming their job opportunities and career advancement.   Read More     ADVERTISEMENT       70% of new hires know in the 1st month if a job is the right fit   This four-week onboarding roadmap gives your newest recruits a positive start on their journey. The schedule outlines all the turns, detours, and speedbumps new hires can expect in their first month. We've included suggestions for each week to help you make your new employees' highway to success an easy road. Download Roadmap       Few, But Mounting, Legal Protections   Thus far, Michigan is the only state that has passed a law declaring weight a category that is protected from discrimination. State legislatures in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Vermont are considering their own legislation to prohibit weight discrimination. But while weight-based bias remains legal in 49 states, several cities are making moves to end this practice. Read More       Should Employers Cover the Cost of Weight-Loss Drugs?   "Miracle" weight-loss drugs are largely dismissed by mainstream health care providers and insurers. However, that may change due to evidence suggesting that some diabetes drugs already on the market—and one derivative drug specifically approved to treat obesity—may be clinically effective for taking off weight and keeping it off. That leaves employers with the decision of whether to cover such drugs for their workers. Read More     Explore Further   SHRM provides tools and resources to help business leaders reduce bias in their workplaces. SHRM Research Details Weight Discrimination in the Workplace SHRM released research last year detailing the current state of weight discrimination in the workplace. The survey found that 12 percent of U.S. workers say they have felt unfairly treated due to their weight at some point in their career. Laws, Policies Can Counter Weight Discrimination at Work Employees can still be fired for their weight in most areas of the U.S. But several cities and states have introduced or passed legislation to end that practice. How Some Employers Are Addressing Weight Discrimination While the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has federal laws that protect employees from being discriminated against because of their race, religion, sex, color or gender identity at work, weight is not included. But some employers have created policies to ensure they avoid weight discrimination in the workplace. PDF: Questions to Ask Yourself About Bias in the Workplace This document provides tips to reduce bias in your hiring process and in your workplace. Quiz: What Do You Know About Unconscious Bias? Unconscious bias in the workplace occurs when individuals make judgments at least partially influenced by gender, race or other factors without realizing they have done so, usually based on societal stereotypes or their own personal experiences. Take this quiz to test your knowledge of unconscious bias. Presentation: Recognizing Hidden Bias This sample presentation is intended for delivery to supervisors and other individuals who manage employees. It is designed to be presented by an individual who has knowledge of the concepts and best practices regarding unconscious bias in the workplace.     Every Saturday, All Things Work from HR Magazine provides thoughtful insights into the rapidly transforming nature of work and the workplace, and how HR, decision-makers and organizations worldwide are navigating and leading this change.       Connect with us on social!              1800 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 USA Contact Us | shrm.org This email was sent to manojdole1.Architectural@blogger.com. This email may contain advertisements. Unsubscribe or Change Email Preferences | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy © 2024 SHRM. All rights reserved.