Hospitals Not Hiring Those With Bmi's Over 35

[thinoneday 445]

So, what do you guys think about that headline? I'm a registered nurse and even though i'm at a BMI of 30,(used to be 45 and working on a hospital unit) I do not agree with that. They already have a nursing shortage, now they want to make it more so? I understand that they don't "want a patient distraction" but that is ridiculous. Just thought i'd bring this one up

http://www.texastrib...-obese-workers/

[Jeni Martin 26]

I was going to say it has discrimination lawsuit all over it. But it seems they are in the middle of one already

[Lauranbob Mc 94]

our hospital requires all new emloyees to pass a nicotiene test before they are hired. How dare they tell us what to do on our own time. Maybe we should breathalyze every employee that walks in the door reporting for work. Many a nurse would be turned away from drinking the night before.

[cookies 56]

Unbelievable. They aren't even trying to make it seem legal by claiming obese workers can't manuever or cost more in healthcare, etc.

Just plain and simple ... they don't like the way they look.

And I am so sick and tired of the falsity that gets repeated everywhere that says that obese people miss more work. I honestly don't think it's true. I haven't taken a sick day in over 12 months.

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

Unbelievable. They aren't even trying to make it seem legal by claiming obese workers can't manuever or cost more in healthcare, etc.

Just plain and simple ... they don't like the way they look.

And I am so sick and tired of the falsity that gets repeated everywhere that says that obese people miss more work. I honestly don't think it's true. I haven't taken a sick day in over 12 months.

I was ironically at a dr.s office yesterday when i saw this "news" on CNN - unbelievable - can't wait to see how it will be responded to. Obviously such an outbreak will occur - just how will it be treated - with such a tentative outpour of all. One more discimination obese people endure.

[susieq1 6]

Unbelievable, I'm a RN and I have seen subtle changes through the years for staffing reuirements..Obesity is a disease..Do they not hire nurses that have other chronic disease processes..like thyroid, diabetes, hypertension!!!!!!!!!!

[nicmack31 18]

As a registered nurse, and human being in general, I am so appaled at this. I cannot believe that they could potentially get away with this! How insulting! I have worked as a case manager, patient educator for diabetes and weight loss through my entire journey- even at my highest weight- and never once did anyone ever come to me and seem remotely concerned that a heavy person was teaching patients how to lose weight, etc.

[bigkim 109]

But it is the truth. This is on my why have surgery list??

I am large and my boss and a couple staff members have issues of course.

It should not be a factor but unfourtuntly it is.

[thinoneday 445]

I really worry about my daughter. She has 1 more year before she graduates with her bachelors for Respiratory Therapy. She definately has a high BMI, I sure hope that they don't discriminate her from getting a job. That would be very upsetting. . . the majority of the USA is obese and some can't help it, some have a disease that won't let them lose weight. Isn't that sad.

[Heatherr 149]

Discrimination happens. My husband was even told to separate resumes and applications into two piles: one pile from the attractive females and one pile for all others. Try getting a bartending or server position as an overweight person. Proving it was always the issue, but it looks like that hospital did all the proving for us.

[Wheetsin 714]

Most things like this boil down to bottom line. Usually things like employer-paid wellness benefits. I didn't read the article but I would be surprised if it didn't meantion employer-provided benefits somewhere. The data also supports overweight workers having a higher likelihood of OTJ accidents, and more severe (requiring more time off work - which is another bottom line factor).

There are some jobs that an obese person simply cannot do as well as a non-obese person. I'm not a nurse and I don't know if nursing is one of those jobs.

Bartending/serving positions - maybe not a need but yeah, if I were a business owner focused on male clientele, I'd hire the hottest girls I could.