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In a study published in the International Journal of Obesity, researchers found weight bias to be a very real phenomenon as it relates to hiring a candidate when skills, experience and education are all equal.
Hi, I’m Bailey Mosier. This is your EmpowHER HER Daily Dose.
In a study published in the International Journal of Obesity, researchers found weight bias to be a very real phenomenon as it relates to hiring a candidate when skills, experience and education are all equal.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii gave mostly female study participants information packages on candidates to evaluate for a potential managerial position. The bogus resumes were equivalent as far as skills, experience and education and included photos of the candidates. But there was a hidden catch: The pictures showed the same six women both before and after weight-loss surgery.
The researchers found that larger women had less chance of being hired and if they managed to pass that hurdle, they still would have faced lower salaries and limited career progression.
The more attractive the raters considered themselves, the stronger the weight bias they displayed. Having personality traits such as authoritarianism also was associated with being more biased.
Researchers say weight bias is a cultural problem, intertwined with issues of race, gender, poverty and class and some are lobbying for legislation to protect obese workers from discrimination.
That wraps up your EmpowHER HER Daily Dose. Join me here at EmpowHER.com every weekday for your next dose of women’s health.
Add a Comment2 Comments
Stop eating lousy food and too much, save money. Lose weight, get a better job. Better health, better money, this isn't rocket science people.
May 26, 2012 - 9:09amThis Comment
Visual bias is a very difficult one to overcome. Obesity is becoming a major problem as well due to employers not wanting to risk having an obese employee who might require different attention down the road due to increased heatlh issues.
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May 25, 2012 - 3:21pmThis Comment