Some Thoughts on Thin Privilege in Employment
Thin Privilege is not worrying that you will be turned down for any job because your potential employer will perceive your weight as being synonymous with “lazy”
Thin Privilege is being able to apply confidently for jobs in the clothing retail sector, unaware that many fat people don’t even bother most of the time, as one glance at their weight marks them as instantly “unfashionable” by the majority of employers, regardless of how on point their personal style is.
Thin privilege is being able to apply for jobs where uniforms are mandatory as the uniform will undoubtedly be carried in your size.
Thin privilege is being able to find cheap interview outfits because more stores cater to smaller sizes.
Thin privilege is being perceived as “put together” when the reality is “I rolled out of bed and landed in this” because people have been conditioned to believe clothes look better and more expensive on thin bodies.
Thin privilege is not turning up to interview to be turned away after five minutes of non-relevant questions as your interviewer has already judged you as unsuitable due to their false weight-based assumptions and prejudices.
Thin privilege is not discovering a less qualified, less experienced, thin person got the job you were up for, probably because of negative assumptions based on your weight.
Thin privilege is not being considered “bad for business”, because of your weight, when working in the service sector.
Thin privilege is being paid more than your fat co-workers for doing the same job - because of your weight.
Thin privilege is being regarded as “more professional” than your fat co-workers, thereby progressing further and quicker in your chosen career, due to others’ weight-based prejudices.
Thin privilege is not having to worry about unfair dismissal based on your weight.
Thin privilege is not being called irrational or neurotic when you voice these real concerns to your friends, family, and most importantly, your employers.
Thin privilege is being unaware of all of the above.
(via redefiningbodyimage)
