Watch for ways to remove weight bias from your workplace

Weight is not a protected characteristic in most civil rights laws, meaning workplace discrimination based on weight is largely permitted. There is some momentum to include weight as a protected category in civil rights laws, however, given the growing body of research on the impact of weight bias. Employees who have high body weight may experience the workplace very differently than their thinner counterparts. As employers, it’s important to understand weight bias and your responsibilities under state and local laws to avoid discrimination based on weight.

Stigma and weight bias in the workplace

Stereotypes about people with a high body weight characterize them as lazy and without self-discipline. When employers and coworkers hold these stereotypes, it can contribute to them knowingly or unknowingly discriminating against an employee based on weight, which can take various forms. An employee with higher body weight may be denied a promotion, face harsher discipline, or even get fired because of their weight or failure to lose weight.

Additionally, some company benefits or wellness programs place weight loss as a target to qualify the employee for certain benefits or incentives, which may increase stigma for the employee. The employee may also find themselves the target of negative treatment or derogatory comments from coworkers regarding their weight.

Impact of weight bias

The impact of weight bias can be lasting—employees who experience weight loss may experience: