An extra 30 pounds may equal "disability" in employment situations
The American Medical Association recently changed the classification of obesity from a "condition" to a disease, opening the door to claims by employees under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1419025
August 17, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- This summer, the American Medical Association (AMA) changed the classification for obesity from a condition to a disease, a decision that will have far-reaching effects for employers and businesses across the nation. Employment law and human resource professionals are monitoring how the reclassification will affect work and hiring situations.
An overweight nation
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a third of Americans are obese -- weighing as little as 30 pounds more than the recommended weight based on their age, gender and height -- and another third are classified as overweight. The AMA, by changing the classification, hopes to draw more attention -- and funds -- to the battle against obesity.
CDC statistics show that Kentucky has one of the highest obesity rates in the nation, and, while childhood obesity rates are reportedly falling across the nation, Kentucky is one of three states whose rates are not dropping. Fortunately, the U.S. Office of Rural Health Policy recently announced that federal funding is funneling into the Delta states to address chronic diseases -- including obesity.
Reclassification and disability laws
The reclassification by the AMA does not mean a change to discrimination laws but it may affect Kentucky employment practices by making it easier for employees to claim they suffer from disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. It will also make it harder for employers to oppose claims for impairment, no matter what an employee's level of obesity.
Similar to other claims of discrimination based on disease, the following situations may arise on a more frequent basis:
- Discrimination: A worker may file a claim for discrimination when a thinner colleague received a promotion.
- Hiring discrimination: A potential employee may argue that he or she was not hired due to his or her weight.
- Accommodating disabilities: An employee may demand a larger-sized chair or other types of furniture or equipment that make his or her job easier.
- Harassment: An inadvertent remark about a colleague or customer's size may lead to claims of harassment.
This issue is not new although some recent decisions have come down on the side of the business owners. According to the Huffington Post, a popular yoga clothing store blatantly shuns plus-sized shoppers without repercussions, and a casino recently won the right to dictate the weight gain of its cocktail servers. However, the AMA's decision raises the likelihood of legal claims in the future.
Consult an employment law attorney
If you are a business owner, manager or someone who handles personnel matters in Kentucky, consult an experienced business and corporate lawyer who is knowledgeable about employment law matters.
Article provided by McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie & Kirkland, PLLC
Visit us at www.mmlk.com
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Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1419025#ixzz2dRDPq4oh
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The American Medical Association recently changed the classification of obesity from a "condition" to a disease, opening the door to claims by employees under the Americans with Disabilities Act. http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1419025 August 17, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- This summer, the American Medical Association (AMA) changed the classification for obesity from a condition to a disease, a decision that will have far-reaching effects for employers and businesses across the nation. Employment law and human resource professionals are monitoring how the reclassification will affect work and hiring situations. An overweight nation According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a third of Americans are obese -- weighing as little as 30 pounds more than the recommended weight based on their age, gender and height -- and another third are classified as overweight. The AMA, by changing the classification, hopes to draw more attention -- and funds -- to the battle against obesity. CDC statistics show that Kentucky has one of the highest obesity rates in the nation, and, while childhood obesity rates are reportedly falling across the nation, Kentucky is one of three states whose rates are not dropping. Fortunately, the U.S. Office of Rural Health Policy recently announced that federal funding is funneling into the Delta states to address chronic diseases -- including obesity. Reclassification and disability laws The reclassification by the AMA does not mean a change to discrimination laws but it may affect Kentucky employment practices by making it easier for employees to claim they suffer from disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. It will also make it harder for employers to oppose claims for impairment, no matter what an employee's level of obesity. Similar to other claims of discrimination based on disease, the following situations may arise on a more frequent basis: - Discrimination: A worker may file a claim for discrimination when a thinner colleague received a promotion. - Hiring discrimination: A potential employee may argue that he or she was not hired due to his or her weight. - Accommodating disabilities: An employee may demand a larger-sized chair or other types of furniture or equipment that make his or her job easier. - Harassment: An inadvertent remark about a colleague or customer's size may lead to claims of harassment. This issue is not new although some recent decisions have come down on the side of the business owners. According to the Huffington Post, a popular yoga clothing store blatantly shuns plus-sized shoppers without repercussions, and a casino recently won the right to dictate the weight gain of its cocktail servers. However, the AMA's decision raises the likelihood of legal claims in the future. Consult an employment law attorney If you are a business owner, manager or someone who handles personnel matters in Kentucky, consult an experienced business and corporate lawyer who is knowledgeable about employment law matters. Article provided by McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie & Kirkland, PLLC Visit us at www.mmlk.com --- Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1419025#ixzz2dRDPq4oh
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