Best of 2012: The year in controversy

7. A follow-up to the issue of hospitals refusing to hire obese employees

In a recent article, we reported that a hospital in Texas is refusing to hire anyone with a body mass index over 35. We knew the issue would be polarizing, but couldn’t foresee the huge influx of responses from our Facebook fans when we asked whether or not the policy was discriminatory. Read their honest, thoughtful answers below and tell us: What do you think?

It’s the right move for facilities
I didn’t consider the aspect of “we look healthy, you should also.” For me, an obese employee in a patient care area may not be able to physically handle the repeated stresses on the body, and is at a higher risk for injury.
—Doug MacLeod

It’s discriminatory
If the true goal is to make changes in people’s lives, they should implement weight loss/fitness and smoking cessation programs and incentives. Better than beating people down by discrimination! That worsens the problem in so many ways. Aren’t we all judged enough in so many other aspects of our profession?
—Anna Baumann Alexander

See more responses.

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