Article: Is being obese a crime? An examination of hiring and workplace discrimination Journal: Middle East Journal of Management (MEJM) 2023 Vol.10 No.1 pp.34 - 50 Abstract: The purpose of the paper is to examine the discrimination and biasness that obese people face during and after hiring in the workplace setting. Based on literature, a conceptual framework has been developed that analyses the impact of obesity, explicit biasness, and implicit biasness on hiring discrimination and workplace discrimination. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire on a sample of 95 respondents from the banking sector. A convenient sampling technique was employed and the analysis was done by using structured equation modelling. The results indicated that people who are overweight or obese are less accepted and discriminated against during hiring, and even if they are hired, the views they receive are that they are lazy, lack self-discipline, and incompetent. The stereotypes and negative attitudes towards overweight people have been found at both explicit and implicit levels. The findings of the study have several implications for policymakers in the banking sector, who need to revise recruitment policies, provide equal employment opportunities, and promote a healthy environment in the banks by educating their employees to reduce stereotypes. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

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Title: Is being obese a crime? An examination of hiring and workplace discrimination

Authors: Ali Junaid Khan; Ezza Naseem; Jawad Iqbal; Muhammad Akbar Ali Ansari; Muhammad Farooq

Addresses: Institute of Business, Management and Administrative Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan ' Institute of Business, Management and Administrative Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan ' Institute of Business, Management and Administrative Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan ' Department of Commerce, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan ' Institute of Business, Management and Administrative Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Abstract: The purpose of the paper is to examine the discrimination and biasness that obese people face during and after hiring in the workplace setting. Based on literature, a conceptual framework has been developed that analyses the impact of obesity, explicit biasness, and implicit biasness on hiring discrimination and workplace discrimination. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire on a sample of 95 respondents from the banking sector. A convenient sampling technique was employed and the analysis was done by using structured equation modelling. The results indicated that people who are overweight or obese are less accepted and discriminated against during hiring, and even if they are hired, the views they receive are that they are lazy, lack self-discipline, and incompetent. The stereotypes and negative attitudes towards overweight people have been found at both explicit and implicit levels. The findings of the study have several implications for policymakers in the banking sector, who need to revise recruitment policies, provide equal employment opportunities, and promote a healthy environment in the banks by educating their employees to reduce stereotypes.

Keywords: obesity; workplace discrimination; hiring discrimination; explicit biasness; implicit biasness; banking.

DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.127762

Middle East Journal of Management, 2023 Vol.10 No.1, pp.34 - 50

Received: 13 Jan 2021
Accepted: 04 Oct 2021
Published online: 16 Dec 2022 *

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Title: Is being obese a crime? An examination of hiring and workplace discrimination

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