Weight Discrimination in the Workplace: An Emerging Threat

Discrimination in the workplace has been one of theobserved and implemented to promote their well being
leading employment issues a worker faces. Not only isand development.
it an illegal practice but also a condemned act in theThe following Federal laws that prohibits discrimination
community.in the workplace:
Employment discrimination in the workplace may take• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title
place in various forms. It can be discrimination due toVII) making illegal employment discrimination based on
age, sexual preference, religious belief or race.race, color, religion, sex, or national origin;
However, recent studies show that another form of• the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA) protecting
workplace discrimination is currently on the rise -men and women who perform substantially equal
weight discrimination.work in the same establishment from sex-based
The Threat of Weight Discriminationwage discrimination;
In a study conducted by the International Journal of• the Age Discrimination in Employment Act
Obesity, weight discrimination, especially againstof 1967 (ADEA) protecting individuals who are 40
women, is overwhelmingly increasing in U.S. society. It isyears of age or older;
almost as widespread as racial discrimination• Title I and Title V of the Americans with
From 66% in the past decade, weight discriminationDisabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibiting employment
has increased by 7% to 12%. Among obese people,discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities
approximately 28% of men and 45% of women saidin the private sector, and in state and local
they have experienced discrimination because of theirgovernments;
weight.• Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation
Rebecca Puhl of the Rudd Center for Food Policy andAct of 1973 prohibiting discrimination against qualified
Obesity at Yale University reveals that the study isindividuals with disabilities who work in the federal
based on surveys of more than 2,000 U.S. adults ingovernment; and
1995-96 and 2004-06.• Civil Rights Act of 1991 providing, among
The institutions involve in the research are health care,other things, monetary damages in cases of intentional
education or workplace. Respondents say they areemployment discrimination.
fired, denied a job or a promotion because of theirIn the State of California, the Fair Employment and
weight. Manifestations of discrimination come as insults,Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits employment
abuse and harassment from others.discrimination based upon race, color, religious creed,
Sadly, no federal laws against weight discriminationancestry, national origin, and sex.
exist. In some cities like Washington, D.C. and SanIt also makes illegal discrimination based on age (40
Francisco, discrimination of whatever form has beenand over), marital status, sexual preference, physical or
banned locally.mental disability (including HIV and AIDS), pregnancy,
Various Laws on Job Discriminationchildbirth or related medical conditions and mental
Although laws in most cities do not include weightcondition.
discrimination, government also recognized theFor more information on employment discrimination and
economic implications that discrimination as a wholeother related issues, you can seek our expert
does to the society.employment attorney services. You can access our
Consequently, it has enacted laws to protect the rightswebsite to avail of our free case analysis.
of the employees. Federal and state laws are strictly