Press Area

Overweight people are missing out on jobs because employers assume they are ‘lazy’, ‘lack self control’ and are ‘not hard workers’, according to a survey by Slimming World and YouGov. 

When people who are very overweight do get a job they are twice as likely to earn a low salary[1], four times more likely to suffer bullying about their weight[2] and six times more likely to feel their appearance has caused them to be overlooked for promotion[3], the survey of 2,000 people revealed. 

In addition, while one in three people who are obese admit they feel like ‘second class citizens’, data from the survey’s 227 bosses shows that they’re right to fear discrimination – particularly from male employers. One in four male bosses say they would turn down a potential candidate based purely on their weight and one in 10 admit they have already done so. 

Slimming World Man of the Year Roberto Enrieu, who lost an incredible 25 stone on the plan, was let go from his job as an IT consultant because his weight meant he ‘didn’t fit the company image’.

“My confidence was shattered and as a very overweight person looking for work I was faced with a huge amount of prejudice,” he says. “When you carry that extra weight into interviews you take with it negative connotations that can be difficult to shake off. I lost all confidence in myself because, as good as my CV was, employers weren’t interested in working with someone of my size. It was only when I joined Slimming World and benefitted from the support of my group that my confidence improved and my career began to thrive.”

The survey found that people in the highest weight category (BMI 40+) are four times more likely than healthy weight people to ‘never’ feel confident[4] and twice as likely to dread applying for a new job.[5] 

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World’s Head of Nutrition and Research, says: “You need confidence and support to achieve success in anything, whether it’s losing weight or climbing the career ladder. That’s why we place as much emphasis on helping slimmers to improve their self-esteem as we do on supporting them to make healthy food choices.  

“It’s unfortunate that only 16 per cent of people who are obese feel supported by their work colleagues in their efforts to lose weight and disappointing that one in four say they have suffered negative comments about their weight while at work.  

“This survey provides one of the greatest indications yet of the scale of obesity discrimination in the workplace. Yet support is available for people who do want to make a change. Our Slimming World groups place great emphasis on helping members to increase their self-esteem, confidence and self-belief and the majority of members who successfully lose weight go on to achieve success in other areas of their lives too: from leaving dead end jobs to pursue their career dreams to climbing mountains or running marathons. Roberto has become a kayak instructor since losing 25 stone, something he would never have had the confidence to do before.”  

– Ends – 

For further information please contact the Slimming World press office on 01773 546101, 01773 546039 or 01773 546037 or email: public.relations@slimming-world.com

Notes to Editors

·         Slimming World is the largest and most advanced slimming organisation in the UK. Margaret Miles-Bramwell (OBE, FRSA) founded the company in 1969 and there are now 6,000 groups held weekly nationwide via a network of 2,500 Slimming World trained Consultants.

·         In 2009 Slimming World celebrated its 40^th Anniversary and four decades of helping people to lose weight without deprivation, guilt or hunger.

·         300,000 members attend Slimming World every week and achieve outstanding success.

·         Members lose 17,857 stones every week: 2,551 stones every day, over 106 stones every hour, that’s 1 stone 10 lbs lost every minute of every day with Slimming World.

·         Slimming World pioneered Slimming World on Referral in the UK and actively supports the building of partnerships with the NHS and local authorities to develop effective strategies to manage overweight and obesity in the community. Slimming World works with university researchers and specialists in an active research programme to further knowledge of the causes and treatment of obesity.

·         Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food OptimisingÒ, and the principles behind Slimming World’s philosophy are based on a deep understanding of the challenges faced by overweight people. Slimming World integrates practical, up-to-date dietary advice with a highly developed support system.

·         Slimming World Consultants receive specific training in dietary aspects and the role of physical activity in weight control. The highly developed training focuses on facilitating behaviour change in a group environment, acknowledged by experts as being the most effective way to support long-term weight management. 

Images