I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing on the news today, that being fat can constitute a disability.
The EU court ruling means bosses of obese staff who meet the criteria of the ruling would have to provide them with larger seats, special parking spaces and other facilities.
What? This is crazy. I am totally in agreement that if someone needs a bigger chair, or special ergonomic furniture due to a bad back then this should be provided but this is just normal human resources. Why on earth should an obese person get a special parking space? What else could they need because of their weight other than a special chair that can support their frame and back?
Surely they need all the exercise they can get, by giving them a disabled label it is almost as good as saying they don’t need to do anything to address their weight problem. Because let’s face it, we all know that being obese is not good for the heart, blood pressure, diabetes etc.
As someone with allergies, and lots of them, when I work in the office of some of my clients I cost them less than any other employee, not least because I’m freelance so maintain my own laptop, don’t get paid sick leave or holiday pay.
I don’t drink the office tea or milk, instead I bring in my own teabags or drink water, or the odd black coffee.
I certainly don’t eat the office biscuits, cakes, left over food from catering etc. I can’t eat any special treats that are brought in. I don’t mind this at all, it is just part of my coping method and essential for me to avoid my allergens. It is my life and I modify my behaviour to avoid my allergies. I don’t expect special treatment.
I should be getting a special rebate in my salary for not using many staff facilities and benefits. (joking*)
I am really not bashing anyone for carrying extra weight. I am just completely incensed by this new ruling on so many levels. How do you classify someone as obese? If you use the recommended calculation most rugby players are obese, but they are also some of the fittest sportsmen you’ll meet.
We should be encouraging ALL employees to get a proper work/life balance and that includes encouraging everyone to be more healthy. Offering gym membership, encouraging walking or jogging during lunch breaks and providing showers are just a few ways this can be done.
Being overweight is something that can be changed. It is not usually a permanent state, like being blind, deaf or having a life long condition that requires the use of wheelchair. If you’re fat you can lose weight. Most people who do lose weight feel healthier, have less depression, feel happier and enjoy life with a more balanced diet and more exercise.
Does this new EU regulation ignore the fact that we should be encouraging people who are obese to change their eating habits and move more. We must invest in helping them lose weight, not rewarding them for being obese.
Are allergies a disability?
If you have allergies, you have to carry adrenaline with you everywhere and remain constantly vigilant to avoid your allergens at home, outside and in the work place.
So will there be an EU ruling that people with allergies have a disability? I’m not aware of anyone losing their job because of the restrictions of having allergies, although many jobs are off limits e.g. Police, army, nut factory packer (nut allergy), milk maid (dairy allergy), balloon blower uperer (latex allergy) and I could go on.
What a load of nonsense. I have written about disabilities before and I’m confused. Most of the time I can do whatever I want, nothing stops me, but there are times when my allergies do restrict and limit what I can do. So is it a disability?
Discuss.
Not sure what the exact legal status with allergies etc. is, but I struggled at work as I was expected to travel lots and was frequently getting ill, I assume due to eating out (I am Coeliac). Many offices didn’t have catering facilities and I was living on a suitcase full of gluten free crackers for a week at a time!
I had an occupational health review and they said I may be considered as having ‘a disability or long term health condition’ with Coeliac which required my employer to make reasonable adjustments. As such they adapted my role so it now involves less travel etc. and if I do have to travel I have the right to reasonable notice to enable me to book accommodation with a kitchen for example. Not perfect in practice, and it of course doesn’t stop the office crumb-fest; but does show that there is precident for considering these kinds of illnesses as you would a disability.
I am so glad to hear how well your bosses treated you with regards to your coeliac disease and restrictions. There is hope! and to be fair, in the last full time job that I had they were really accommodating and even replaced the kettle, when someone bought one with rubber grips on the handle. I didn’t expect them to and was using a cloth to hold the kettle as I didn’t want to make a fuss. Travelling is hard. I do travel with my work too and try to find a self catering accommodation but it’s not always possible. If I’m travelling alone I can book what I need but when it is being booked by someone else I don’t fell I can request self catering apartments. I do have to provide all my breakfast, snacks, bread, milk etc. Happy to do this but it does add to the preparation you need to do and when things get to hectic the wheels can fall off the planning… then I live on water, apples and ready salted crisps which can usually be found everywhere! Thanks for sharing and I have the same experiences. Suitcase full of food wherever I go ;o)