Workplace Discrimination For Weight In Alameda
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Legal protections in California While it does not explicitly mention weight, courts have recognized that severe obesity can qualify as a disability under the FEHA. Employers cannot treat employees less favorably because of their physical characteristics, which include obesity.
Even though discrimination based on weight has a negative impact on people's health and wellness, there is only one state in the U.S – Michigan – that has an anti-weight discrimination law.
Weight is not a protected class under Title VII, however, weight can be a characteristic of a medical condition. Thus, in certain situations taking an adverse job action against an employee based on his or weight (too heavy or too thin) can be a violation of the ADA.
Obesity discrimination is not currently afforded legal status as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010). However, obesity-related conditions (eg, osteoarthritis), may be in scope where an employee is able to satisfy the legal definition of a disability under EqA 2010.
For example, a person with obesity who is qualified for a job but is not hired for the position because of his or her weight may have been the victim of weight discrimination.
California Chamber of Commerce defines discrimination in the workplace as either actions taken against employees or that give differential treatment to employees “because they belong to certain protected classes,” such as race, color, gender, sexual orientation, origin, medical condition, religion, disability, and age.
So an employee might be deemed disabled if they have a BMI of 40 or more and the obesity has a real impact on their ability to participate in work.
Obesity discrimination is not currently afforded legal status as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010). However, obesity-related conditions (eg, osteoarthritis), may be in scope where an employee is able to satisfy the legal definition of a disability under EqA 2010.
Although there is no explicit federal law that identifies obese individuals as a protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), at least one state and a handful of cities across the country have passed laws prohibiting employers from discriminating against employment candidates based on weight.
Proving workplace discrimination in California can be one of the most difficult steps in a successful discrimination case. It can also be complex, confusing and frustrating.