My friend is very qualified but everytime she goes for a job interview, no matter how great it goes, she is never called back. She is beginning to think it is her weight.
She weighs 300+
2007-10-14 03:15:10 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Health Care
I know plenty of overweight nurses, many over 300. I really don't feel that they are discriminated against during hiring, but that is just my facility. They are highly encouraged to lose weight, and the overweight employees get extra money in their health reimbursement account or health savings account if they participate in the weight watchers at work program. (weight watchers at work could be discrimination). I get teased somewhat at work for being too skinny because I don't have enough weight to create the momentum needed to move heavy patients in a lift. The heavy gals just lean on the lift and it moves without effort.
It might very well be that she in being discriminated against. It is hard to tell because they will never admit to it. Perhaps there are just lots of people interviewing for that position. If its something like medical assisting, plenty of very qualified people are competing for jobs.
I work for a health-care giant that includes long-term care, hospitals, and psychiatric treatment centers. When I went in for an interview, I was interviewed by two nurses. They wrote down my responses to the questions, and someone else- the director of nursing decided to hire me without knowing what I looked like or how much I weighed. I'm not sure what her situation or interview process at these facilities is though. She may be overlooking something in the way she answered the questions. If I were her I would call the facility and ask why she was not hired.
2007-10-14 03:28:34 · answer #1 · answered by love 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am one of the interviewer for my co. One of the criteria is that potential recruits must pass the medical/health checks.
Employers have certain criterias during recruitment which includes potential health risks.
In companies where the health benefits are inclusive it can be downright expensive eg offshore platforms where the work cycle is in the 1 or 2 week cycle.
Lets have a scenario of an a diabetic or asmathic employee. If he encounters difficulty and the site nurse is unable to remedy then a medivac is called for either by boat or helicopter to an onshore hospital.
Then a replacement is required presumably from an off duty work colleague.... The scheduling then have to be revised
In above scenario the said person will be off work or on light duty for a period of time until full recovery and requires periodic health checks and medications.
Thus my answer is not specifically that a 300+ is unable to perform a specific task but long term projections of an employee and the job assignment, including health factors may come into play.
2007-10-14 06:12:57 · answer #2 · answered by Mongol 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does you friend appear to be clean and neat about her appearance? Does it seem that she has a hard time getting around or becoming short of breath? Because of being in that field there are natural concerns for an employer when a person it that weight. How tall is she? If she is very large they may feel she can have problems performing her job. I feel for her but also concerned...at that weight she has many health risks herself and being in the health care field she should realize that. If the company gives health insurance they may be looking at her as a high risk. I hope she can find the will power to do something for herself also....people do treat heavier people different...whether is be by 40lbs or 100.
2007-10-14 03:27:23 · answer #3 · answered by echo18249 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Her weight is a factor. Yes.
Overweight people tend to have more health problems than non obese people.
If the companies she interviews with offer health ins, she is a claim looking for a place to happen.
Tell her she has to lose weight.
2007-10-14 03:50:08 · answer #4 · answered by TedEx 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I worked in the health field a number of years, and there were more fat nurses than skinny ones. At least in nursing home settings, anyway.
If she's being discriminated against, she will have a hard time proving discrimination, they always use different "reasons" for choosing someone else. fields other than nursing may be more discriminatory.
2007-10-14 03:30:19 · answer #5 · answered by Squirrley Temple 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Health field and everyone else.
Also they won't hire an older worker either.
Hope she finds something.
2007-10-14 07:22:26 · answer #6 · answered by outtahere2day 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,like smokers people who are over weight have become a target.The world has gone mad.Hope she gets a job soon.Good Luck to Her.
2007-10-14 03:18:33 · answer #7 · answered by Ollie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well obviously she isnt healthy so its a big hypocritcal for her to work in the health field...
heck I work in retail and we wouldnt hire somebody that size.. as physcially they are limited to what they can do.. they will not be as agile (its a gift store will some narrow store rooms and lots of crowded areas)...
there is NO excuse for Obesity.. I am in Canada where Obesisity isnt as much of a problem as it is in USA.. there is a reason so many people in USA are fat.. and I can tell you.. its NOT all "Glandular"...
2007-10-14 03:22:54 · answer #8 · answered by CF_ 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
i totally understand being a bit on the heavy side myself, i think it is harder to get the job.
2007-10-14 03:18:10 · answer #9 · answered by Amee 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'll bet you are right, the companies are not supposed to, but they do.
2007-10-14 03:18:34 · answer #10 · answered by Hirise bill 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋