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The economic and emotional costs borne by those on the receiving end of this stigma can be detrimental

How weight bias disproportionately affects women at work

The economic and emotional costs borne by those on the receiving end of this stigma can be detrimental

As a diversity and inclusion manager, Leena (name changed on request) strives to create an environment where everybody is accepted at the workplace, no matter who they are, irrespective of their race, age, gender, and weight. But, when she sits in the cabin designated to her, self-doubt manifests itself, mostly owing to her weight. "I'm constantly thinking about how I present myself and am perceived at work, and how I can climb my career ladder and, you know, why haven't I had success in some areas. I wonder whether or not people are listening to me or hearing me or thinking that I have leadership presence so that I can be considered for other opportunities, and even be promoted," the Mumbai native tells The Established

Leena isn't the only woman in India who knows that being in a larger body means living amid people's weight bias and its consequences.

The numbers don't lie

Being above what many healthcare providers consider a "normal weight" has economic costs for most women. A study conducted by Vanderbilt University found that overweight women are more likely to work in lower-paying and more physically demanding jobs, less likely to get higher-wage positions that include interaction with the public, and make less money in either case compared to average-size women and all men, regardless of the type of work they do. 

In Ugly Betty, weight and its appropriate distribution, is considered to be an important determining factor of physical attractiveness. Image: rottentomatoes

In Ugly Betty, weight and its appropriate distribution, is considered to be an important determining factor of physical attractiveness. Image: rottentomatoes

Imagine a world where women are not so confined by notions of how other people dictate how their bodies and faces should be? Image: rottentomatoes

Imagine a world where women are not so confined by notions of how other people dictate how their bodies and faces should be? Image: rottentomatoes

The study also documented that overweight women earn 4 per cent less than women of normal weight. For obese women, the penalty is 5.8 per cent, and for morbidly obese women, it's 15.7 per cent. That same study highlighted how women who are obese are less likely than normal-weight women to have jobs that put them in front of clients and customers. Behind-the-scenes work pays approximately 22.3 per cent less than work involving negotiating, public speaking, or consulting. And for the heaviest women who hold those roles, the pay gap is greater—they make 34.5 per cent less on average than normal-weight women in the same type of client-facing jobs. Men, on the other hand, aren't hidden or shortchanged like that. Obese men, on average, don't earn any less than normal-weight men and overweight men.

The weight bias

Career counsellor and therapist Jacintha C believes women with larger bodies tend to bear the brunt of the worse outcomes at work, especially regarding pay, promotions, and performance ratings because this echoes what we see with other marginalised groups. "If a stereotype attached to you relates to incompetence in any way, like being an older woman or one with a larger body, it ultimately creates an economic disadvantage for you. I've counselled many women with larger bodies who complain of workplace mistreatment. I've been privy to people reporting self-harm, drug use, alcohol abuse, and suicidal ideation," she says. 

In most cultures, an adage encourages individuals, especially women, to eat less and move more, almost guaranteeing (without much backing the claim) that your weight problem will be solved. In reality, however, it's far more complicated because we think weight is controllable and a means toward realising health for ourselves. At least on the surface, it can feel natural to be judgmental about somebody's size. Over the last few years, we have also fostered a culture of healthism that permeates how we think about being a good or bad person. It's baked into the Western ideals of continuous self-improvement, responsibility for oneself, and this idea that to be the model of health includes having a slim or slender body. As a culture, we feel comfortable, day in and day out, calling out people who do not conform to these values that we hold close to ourselves. And so combined with this idea that health is controllable and you are a good person for pursuing health, beauty ideals, and their pressures have a real stronghold on how we think about ourselves and judge ourselves and not just other people. 

A psychological game

Body-positive influencer Dipti Bharwani didn't think much about her weight while growing up. But that changed when she joined the workforce years later. It almost felt like the body she always celebrated was now under attack because she didn't subscribe to what society deems a "normal body". "During my stint working with a designer, a colleague made an offhand comment that left me gobsmacked. He said something to the effect of: 'How will you ever have sex when the guy has to lift the extra fat on your stomach to find your vagina'. While everyone else laughed and passed it off as a joke, I was traumatised," she says. A few weeks later, Bharwani broke up with her boyfriend at the time because those words haunted her. "I stayed away from men for almost three years because I suddenly hated my body," she adds. 

Body-positive influencer Dipti Bharwani has also been affected by the weight bias in the workplace. Image: Instagram.com/dipti.bharwani

Body-positive influencer Dipti Bharwani has also been affected by the weight bias in the workplace. Image: Instagram.com/dipti.bharwani

Changing the culture

Many organisations value diversity and inclusion, but these discussions need to incorporate more heft. "I know we talk a lot about workplace biases, but the one I haven't heard about is weight," says a human resource professional who requested anonymity. "It's that silent thing that no one wants to confront or discuss."

When tackling weight and size inequalities, organisations should consider their previous experiences with issues such as sexual harassment, feels Jacintha. Although the matter differs, many approaches and goals are similar.

"One of the most important things is to have a top-down culture of inclusion and respect," says Jacintha, proposing that senior leadership be trained first to be aware of the concerns and appreciate the need to model acceptable behaviour. Examining hiring practices and how you might minimise weight prejudice when examining candidates for open positions is an effective way of tackling the weight bias at work, feels Jacintha. 

Body confident

Mumbai-based journalist Priya Pathiyan believes the conversation around weight bias at work is slowly changing, thanks in part to social media, which, apart from its nasty trolls, has a lot of body-positive content that helps to shore up one's self-image. "This was not the case when I stepped out in my 20s. At that time, western wear was considered suitable only for slim figures, especially because it was imported from South East Asia. Finding a well-fitting UK size 14 or 16 dress took a lot of work. One had to deal with shop assistants looking you up and down superciliously and saying, 'we have nothing in your size' quite often," she says. 

Although far from conservative, family members would question whether that crop top or swimsuit would better suit someone thin, says Pathiyan. Finding clothing that could express "the real me" was hard in such an environment. Even so, with much thought and effort going into her wardrobe, Pathiyan says others have always appreciated her at work as a stylish and creative dresser. "As someone who always attends events for work, putting myself out there to get photographs for social media, I find myself quite comfortable and happy. I accept my weight and size, can dance all night without feeling conscious, and don't get defensive if someone gets derisive. The best way to deal with people trying to run you down is to change the subject to something more interesting. And if that doesn't stop them, smile happily and walk away to somewhere or someone who appreciates you."

When tackling weight and size inequalities, organisations should consider their previous experiences with issues such as sexual harassment.   meteleva

When tackling weight and size inequalities, organisations should consider their previous experiences with issues such as sexual harassment.

meteleva

Some of the most destructive, negative workplace stereotypes are that heavy workers are lazy and look sloppy. Image: Unsplash

Some of the most destructive, negative workplace stereotypes are that heavy workers are lazy and look sloppy. Image: Unsplash

Finding that balance

For Mumbai-based marketing and PR professional and newly-minted entrepreneur Zainab Putatunda, navigating work when people around her have been conditioned to believe that body weight is controllable, or that people could manage and maintain a healthy weight if they just exercised more and ate less, has been difficult. "I have been overlooked when it came to accompanying my seniors for pitch meetings with clients. This was when I first started [working] over a decade ago. I was always passed up for the thinner, more 'good-looking' girls. Even at work parties, I always stayed in the background. And no one asked me to get out of there. It almost felt like they expected me to remain in the shadows," she says.

According to Jacintha, some of the most destructive, negative workplace stereotypes are that heavy workers are lazy, less bright, lack self-discipline, look sloppy, and are less healthy. Furthermore, personality stereotypes say that overweight people are less conscientious, agreeable, emotionally stable, and outgoing than average-weight individuals.

These markers of what is acceptable and unacceptable pushed Putatunda to work hard, show up when no one else did, and put in late hours to be validated. "I always felt like I needed to work harder than my thinner colleagues because my contribution would be recognised and appreciated only then. That mentality has changed over the years, but at some point, I feel it's almost a rite of passage for big girls to go through before they realise they're actually doing enough without feeling like they need to compensate," she says.

Also Read: Here’s why fashion has a long way to go when it comes to size representation

Also Read: The anti-diet movement is ensuring that weight loss does not define your relationship with food

Also Read: How size-inclusive is the resortwear industry in India?


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