Shape Magazine has just become hip to the studies that show that fat women have a more difficult time getting hired and are paid less than their thin counterparts. They point out that this doesn’t happen to men and they acknowledge that it’s not fair. But then they start doling out advice:
It’s okay to enjoy a doughnut, just don’t do it at work.
Oh noes –- call the food police we have an PDF EWF (Public Display of Fatness: Eating While Fat)
Simply ask yourself: What can I do to make tomorrow healthier than today?
This won’t help –- I’m already very healthy and I’m still fat. So what you mean is: what can I do to make tomorrow thinner than today? While I’m at it, what else can I do that has no bearing on my job performance that will make my picture fit your frame? Get a nose job? Change my hair color? My skin color? How can I help support your bigotry and change myself to suit you? Just say the word, it’s all for you baby.
Just say, ‘I’m concerned. Is this is a factor? I know my weight is an issue and I’m working on it.’
Unless I’m applying for a job that actually has something to do with the size of my body my weight is NOT an issue, social stigma is the issue. So how about this instead: “I’m concerned because studies show that fat women aren’t hired as often as their thin counterparts and are paid less if they are hired. I know that bigotry and stigma can be an issue and I know it’s something people have to work on. Obviously I would never want to bring my talent and creativity to a bigoted, short-sighted, aesthetics-obsessed, unethical company. This company would never do that, right? Of course you’re hiring based on ability to to the job and not skin color, body size, or other superficial things, correct?”