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Weight Discrimination in the Workplace: An Emerging Threat By Mesriani Law Group


Not only is it an illegal practice but also a condemned act in the community. Employment discrimination in the workplace may take place in various forms. It can be discrimination due to age, sexual preference, religious belief or race.


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However, recent studies show that another form of workplace discrimination is currently on the rise - weight discrimination.


In a study conducted by the International Journal of Obesity, weight discrimination, especially against women, is overwhelmingly increasing in U.S. society. It is almost as widespread as racial discrimination.


From 66 percent in the past decade, weight discrimination has increased by seven percent to 12 percent. Among obese people, approximately 28 percent of men and 45 percent of women said they have experienced discrimination because of their weight.


14 CA Employer March 2011


iscrimination in the workplace has been one of the leading employment issues a worker faces.


Rebecca Puh of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University reveals that the study is based on surveys of more than 2,000 U.S. adults in 1995-96 and 2004-06.


The institutions involve in the research are health care, education or workplace. Respondents say they are fired, denied a job or a promotion because of their weight. Manifestations of discrimination come as insults, abuse and harassment from others.


Sadly, no federal laws against weight discrimination exist. In some cities like Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, discrimination of whatever form has been banned locally.


Although laws in most cities do not include weight discrimination, government also recognized the economic implications that discrimination as a whole does to the society.


Consequently, it has enacted laws to protect the rights of the employees. Federal and state laws are strictly observed and implemented to promote their well being


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