Discrimination

[susans]

Have you ever witnessed or been a victim of discrimination in the work place?  If so what type and what happened?

[jennika]

I have lurked the boards for awhile, but this topic is one I have had experience with.   I have seen first hand discrimination on a woman's size.  I was in charge of finding candidates for one of our VPs next assistant.  I found a wonderful woman who had the perfect background, when everyone talked to her on the phone they loved her.  She came in and was neatly dressed but was very heavy.   Everyone was very charming to her face, but when she left they asked me to find someone a few more candidates.  I was somewhat new at the time and didn't challenge them and ask them why.  I heard them talking about her weight and know that was the issue.  To this day I am disgusted at the experience.  The VP has left since then.  I think now, if it ever happens again,  I will not be so compliant and voice my opinion.

[mslemon]

I've worked at two companies where there have been discrimination against women because of their size. At one company I was asked to head up the interview process for a new receptionist. After interviewing several people I narrowed the search to two top candidates; both were women who were extremely professional, well dressed, excellent references, top notch computer skills, etc. Both of these women were overweight. After two managers met briefly with them they told me to find new ones that "would give a better image to the company."  I overheard them talking to other managers saying that overweight people are a huge liability.

At another company I was chatting to a VP and HR Manager about the new open position he had for an executive assistant. He was complaining that all the admin candidates seemed to be fat and why couldn’t they find him a normal looking assistant? I was so completely disgusted and shocked.  I remember saying something like “what on earth does a woman’s size have to do with this?” They both gave me a cold look and said this conversation was completely off the record.  I left a short while later.


Sadly, I think this type of discrimination goes on a lot.