i have a job application form and i have to put my height and weight on it! eeekk. for anyone that has read my previous posts its the same job i had a meeting about last week. its for a position as a care assistant so i understand why, you do have to be quite fit to do the job (which i am even though im heavy). i really didnt expect to have to put it on the form though, the actual number! so im wondering whether to knock 3 or 4 pounds off for my own sanity. the boss is a nurse so i cant reduce it too much. also during the meeting there was another woman there who looked heavier than me, im sure she's feeling the same anxiety i am. there was a larger woman working there already so i know its not a deal breaker, its just this is the only place i've ever been totally honest about my weight.
I think that is ridiculous that you would have to put your weight on there. I mean, they can probably tell from your interview if you are in good enough shape to get the job done. I would be horrified by that, and BTW, I'm an RN and never had to put my weight on a job application. I kinda wonder if it's even legal. Geez!
Go ahead and lie if it makes you feel better. You could lie by 10-15 lbs at least and not raise an eyebrow IMHO.
I have never heard of weight on a job application...seems like it wouldn't be legal, but I have never heard of laws protecting fat people in the workplace, so maybe it is legal. If they have already a meeting with you, then hopefully they realize that you are fit enough to do the work and this is just a formality.
What if you didn't fill that part out and just turned the application in? I wonder if it is really a required part of the app.
I really don't think that's legal. They can ask other relevant things such as: Can you lift X amout of weight & carry it? Are there any reasons you can't be on your feet all day?, etc. But I don't think they can ask height/weight.
Let me add, they can ask anything they want. You have the right not to answer and I don't think it's legal to NOT hire you if you are the most qualified candidate and they don't hire you based on you not answering "illegal" questions.
Isn't that called discrimination? Like unless they put you through a fitness test to prove thats you're fit enough for a job (and it's fully required like becoming a cop) I think that's bogus. I'd lie on it F- them that's none of their business what your weight is. I would have left my weight blank and told them it was none of their business, or made them go into much more detail about WHY they needed to know my weight.
i understand they need to know if im fit enough to do the job, but weight does not always equate to fitness in my experience. the whole form seems a bit out of date, the first box asks if im single/married etc and how many kids do i have, i actually thought that part was illegal, it could cause discrimination against single parents. i really want the job, the boss seems lovely, but this form is pants!
EDIT- i forgot to mention, my employment advisor was at the meeting too, she said today that the boss spoke very highly of me afterwards, and its not like i gained 50lbs in the week since the meeting so my weight cant be that big of a deal, i just think its very personal to put on a job application and the number doesnt say anything about fitness/ stamina/ ability or strength!
I think asking about your kids and marital status is illegal! You should look this up, maybe you can refuse to answer those questions and be okay. I know you can't ask about race or age, but it seems like these other things should be off limits as well.
purplefirefly i was actually on a course mon/tues this week about C.Vs, interviews etc and the subject came up of whether to say if you are a single parent, i cant remember if she said it was illegal but she definatly said theres no need to tell potential employers that info, its really none of their buisness. im wondering if this is just a very out of date form that they havent bothered updating for years. i still dont know if i should put my weight, or lie a bit, or leave it blank. i also have to sign a form giving them rights to my medical records, but i think thats more for mental disorders as the job is working with vulnerable people.
I would not blame for knocking a few pounds off - not a whole lot - if you are 241 now (I am reading it on your profile) I would probably say 235 or something like that.
I completely agree what weight is not an indicator of the person's physical capabilities; also, people always seem to be shocked (no matter what weight I am) when I reveal my actual weight, for some reason, I look "lighter" than I really am.
P.S. I hope you get the job! Best wishes of good luck.
First of all, I understand because I'm an actor and in my theater resume I have to list my height/weight/eye color/hair color along with my experience. It's needed but scary for me since most girls in the theater are tiny. I'm one of the bigger girls. Anyway, I would suggest leaving it empty or knocking your weight down 5 lbs if you really want to - but no more than that. That's what I've done. But really, if you can do the job right there's no need to know your weight.
I am also curious about labour laws in the U.K. versus the laws here in North America. I did not have to give my weight even when I was applying to be a police officer with the federal police force in Canada, or when I was applying for a job as a prison guard.
mandalinn thanks for the link, it says they shouldnt be asking about marital status, children and their ages either. im pretty sure the laws in the us and uk are similar if not the same, also with canada its usually the same as the uk.
Weight on a job application
