A recent study sheds light on the bias women face in the job market based on their weight, even when they fall within a healthy BMI range. If you’re a woman working in a visible role, brace yourself for some disheartening news.
It’s no secret that individuals who are overweight or obese often encounter workplace discrimination, with those in larger bodies earning 1-6% less than their slimmer counterparts. Not surprisingly, obese women tend to earn even less than their male counterparts, because, of course, society seems to think that having a penis is somehow a weight loss miracle. But a new study published in Plos One reveals that even slight weight variations amongst women with healthy BMIs can influence their perceived employability.
The researchers conducted an intriguing experiment where they altered photographs of individuals to reflect different BMIs and asked study participants to evaluate them for customer-facing roles, like waitressing or retail, versus behind-the-scenes positions, such as kitchen work or, yes, scrubbing toilets. The findings were clear: women within the normal BMI range faced more bias compared to men who were overtly overweight.
According to a press release from the University of Strathclyde, the study’s authors noted, “Our findings show that even a slight increase in weight has a detrimental effect on the hireability of female applicants. For women, even minor changes in body shape, size, and weight matter.” So, while Tom might be packing an extra fifty pounds, that’s just fine because, well, he’s got that magical male advantage.
This is incredibly frustrating, especially considering that the average American woman wears a size 14. And let’s get real: fat discrimination is only illegal in a handful of places, like Michigan and a few cities across the U.S. Elsewhere, you can gain ten pounds and suddenly find yourself out of a job, while heavier male colleagues continue to thrive. Meanwhile, women’s bodies have been under constant scrutiny, judged against impossible standards. In a survey by Refinery29, a staggering 70% of millennial women indicated they wouldn’t gain ten pounds for a promotion. Initially, I thought, “Good for you, ladies!” But given this study, it seems they would just be demoted anyway. After all, who wants to buy capris from a size 8 when you can find a size 6?
There’s a persistent narrative suggesting that feminism is unnecessary because women have achieved equality. However, if a woman who is ten pounds lighter gets hired over an equally qualified candidate while a heavier guy climbs the corporate ladder, I’m afraid that narrative needs a serious reality check. We still have a long way to go in terms of equal rights, especially when we’re evaluated based on our size, and it appears the standards are even more unrealistic than we thought.
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In summary, weight discrimination is a pressing issue that affects women’s employment opportunities even at healthy sizes. As society continues to grapple with unrealistic body standards, it’s essential to advocate for equality in the workplace. It’s time to challenge these biases and push for a world where women are valued for their skills, not their size.