Overweight women targets for discrimination says Monash Study

A Monash University academic claims discrimination against overweight job hunters is now far worse than other type of bias.

“International studies now show that fat discrimination is one of the most prevalent forms of discrimination in society today,” Dr Samantha Thomas of Monash University told Channel Seven.

“It really is outpacing [other types of prejudice] such as racism, sexism and ageism,” Dr Thomas says.

The Monash University research was carried out jointly with the University of Hawaii to assess whether a measure of prejudice known as the “universal measure of bias” could predict workplace discrimination against those considered obese.

The researchers found that overweight women were particular targets for prejudice. Those taking part in the research were asked to look at photos attached to CVs. The photos were of overweight and non-overweight women  – sometimes the same woman before and after she had lost weight.

Participants were not told the purpose of the research. Researchers found that obesity discrimination was at play across getting the job, starting salary and leadership potential. Larger women were not rated as highly as slimmer women.

Researchers suspect a reason for the prejudice was that by comparing themselves favorably with an overweight person, the participants could feel superior and therefore better about themselves.

I later appeared on Seven’s Sunrise program with beautician and one-time Biggest Loser contestant Ruth Almeida de Campos Atelier to talk about the issue.

Ms de Campos Atelier started her own beauty business because she couldn’t find a job and suspects her weight was the issue. She says one spa told her that she did not fit their “physical image” of a successful trainee therapist and at the time she was a size 16.

Job hunting tips

In a real life job-hunting situation an employer will not have a photo of a job hunter at written application stage and therefore any judgment will not be passed until a job interview.

My advice is for candidates considered larger to walk into the interview with an air of confidence, energy, enthusiasm and lots of good preparation to draw on.

Any candidate only has about 20 to 30 seconds to create a first impression so good eye contact, a firm-dry handshake and a big smile will all help.

Knowing their career history inside out and drawing on pre-interview research, candidates should be specific in detailing why their skills and experience are a good match for the role on offer.

As I advised all candidates, rehearse before attending the job interview at least three times and with another person if at all possible. Interview practice partners should provide feedback on body language, eye contact, “ummms and errrs” and the strength and relevance of answers to mock questions.

There is nothing like preparation to help quell nerves and build confidence.

Ms de Campos Atelier adds some advice for employers: “Give us the same deserved respect that everyone else is entitled to and just because we are larger doesn’t mean we don’t have a lot to offer.”