People have been hated or sidelined at work for various reasons, but one of the most insensitive is weight discrimination or bias. Weight discrimination means an individual getting mistreated due to people’s negative beliefs about people of higher weight.
According to The Muse, research conducted in May 2023 has shown that 12% of workers in the U.S. have experienced weight bias in their careers. Another 15% stated that their co-workers made false assumptions about them at some point due to their weight.
There are laws protecting employees from bias based on their race, sex, disability, religion, gender, etc. Unfortunately, no laws have been made to protect workers against weight discrimination, aside from Michigan, which happens to be the only state to frown upon it. Weight discrimination affects people and their careers in several ways, including:
- Esteem issues
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Negative body image
- Low-tier relationships
- Eating disorders
If you experience weight stigma at work, don’t fold your hands and suffer in silence. There are certain things you can do to look out for yourself.
Escalate the Issue
Escalation is the best way to let the world know what you are dealing with. But you have to go through the office-approved channels while doing that. Bear in mind that the management may not be able to do much since no law protects this class.
Take a Bow
No matter how much you love that job, you don’t deserve to be treated like that. To safeguard yourself and your mental health, it’s best to take a bow in such situations.
Find External Support
You can talk to agencies that do not support workplace bullying. Also, try to look out for communities and social groups with similar experiences that you can join to make your voice heard.
The effects of weight discrimination go beyond the immediate emotional distress a person may experience at the time. Colleagues and people, generally, can play an important role by treating everyone with equal empathy, respect, and kindness.
