Texas hospital bans fatties (bmi>35) from working there

[SP33Demon]

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2012/04/09/texas-hospital-fat-people-bmi-need-not-apply?hpt=hp_t2

Let the weight wars begin.

A Texas hospital that incorporates in its hiring policy an applicant’s body mass index -- a formula that assesses one's health based on their weight and height --- hurts patient care, critics say.

Citizens Medical Center, located in Victoria, requires its employees "fit with a representational image or specific mental projection of the job of a healthcare professional,” including having an appearance “free from distraction” for patients, according to the Texas Tribune newspaper.

Potential employees must have a BMI of less than 35 (185 lbs for someone who is 5-1; or 265 lbs for someone who is 6-1), according to the newspaper.

But is this legal? In Texas and most states, yes.

Want to work at this hospital? Then you better put the donut down.

Cross posted in P&N, please use the existing thread
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2237385
FoBoT - Moderator

 

[Beev]

GOOD. That's WAY more than generous. If you're higher than that do you honestly deserve to even live? You're completely useless at that point.

Fuck off, blobs.

 

[Anubis]

261 at 6"1' really isnt all that fat. i mean its large but i would not call them obese

 

[amdhunter]

I'm obese (BMI over 40) and I agree with this. Nothing is worse than seeing a doctor who is telling you to lose weight, when they themselves are fat pieces of shit.

My doctor is bigger than me by a lot and looks generally unhealthy. Fuck him. It's probably why I can't lose weight - he doesn't know what he is talking about.

 

[FelixDeCat]

Just like smoking is discouraged in the workplace, so should obesity. A reasonable approach should be taken however with the company offering employees / future employees the ability to get or maintain employment through various weight loss programs. Otherwise they will all simply go on SSI for lack of employment opportunities due to obesity.

 

[Texashiker]

OP, your a few days late, repost

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2237385

 

[ImpulsE69]

So..I'm not obese, but I don't really agree with this. While we're at it, maybe Hitler was right and maybe slavery should come back? I mean, appearance is appearance. Before you try to say being fat has nothing in common with those 2 things, it's all about appearance and expectations of someone who thinks they are better than someone else.

My guess this has more to do with their health insurance policies for employees and getting credits.

 

[Vic Vega]

The issue here is not fat people, the issue is this: is an employer able to dictate job requirements? The answer is, yes.

 

[ImpulsE69]

The issue here is not fat people, the issue is this: is an employer able to dictate job requirements? The answer is, yes.

So, women banned, blacks banned, Jewish banned, Handicap banned? Where does it stop? Weight is not a job requirement. Basically, you're saying if there's not a Bill of Rights/Constituion involved then anything is game. Since our rights are quickly eroding, good luck finding a job with that mindset.

 

[Bateluer]

So..I'm not obese, but I don't really agree with this. While we're at it, maybe Hitler was right and maybe slavery should come back? I mean, appearance is appearance. Before you try to say being fat has nothing in common with those 2 things, it's all about appearance and expectations of someone who thinks they are better than someone else.

My guess this has more to do with their health insurance policies for employees and getting credits.

Has nothing to do with appearance. Obese people, like smokers, are expensive to insure. They are prone to a slew of expensive health problems. Any employer is well within their rights to say they will not hire obese people or smokers.