Workplace Discrimination For Weight In Riverside
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FAQ
Despite the overall lack of state level legislation, there are some cities in the United States that have made weight and height a protected category for anti-discrimination. These include San Francisco and Santa Cruz, California; Binghamton, New York; Madison, Wisconsin; and Urbana, Illinois.
A written complaint to OSPI must include the following information: A description the conduct or incident—use facts (what, who and when) An explanation of why you believe unlawful discrimination has taken place. Your name and contact information, including a mailing address.
The answer depends on your claims and willingness to pursue litigation. If your claims are strong and you are invested in the litigation process, it can be very “worth it” to feel you are standing up for accountability, getting compensation for your injuries, and incentivizing the company to change its ways.
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.
Thirdly, there are other legal avenues to consider when pursuing a fat-shaming lawsuit, such as defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Defamation occurs when someone makes false and damaging statements about you, in this case, about your weight, in a way that harms your reputation.
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.
Older adults face more subtle forms of weight stigma in their daily environment. For example, in many doctor's offices, examination tables and gowns do not accommodate people of larger size. This is also true on many commercial airplanes, where seats will not fit an individual who carries significant excess weight.
The workplace is a common setting where weight bias and discrimination occur. Employees who have a higher body weight face weight-based inequities in employment including unfair hiring practices, lower wages, fewer promotions, harassment from co-workers, and unfair job termination.
