On November 22, a new law came into effect in New York City that made it illegal for employers to discriminate against workers on the basis of their weight or size. This makes New York City only the latest city to institute such a law, joining other cities like Binghamton, New York; Madison, Wisconsin; San Francisco, California; and Washington, D.C. Advocates have said they hope this law becomes an inspiration for other cities and states to pass similar protections to help fight the issue of weight discrimination.
New York City’s weight discrimination law comes into effect
Back in 2023, Mayor Eric Adams signed a law that made weight discrimination illegal in New York City, making it the seventh city in the U.S. to put such a law into effect. This law is meant to address the growing issue of weight discrimination, which is when people face problems obtaining or retaining employment due to their unusual weight or size. While this is a problem that primarily affects people who are overweight or obese, it can also affect those who are unusually thin or underweight, depending on the circumstances.
The scourge of weight and size discrimination
Weight and size discrimination are shockingly common, with an estimated 42% of Americans facing some form of stigma due to their weight, according to the American Psychological Association. This manifests both as personal issues as well as professional ones, impacting the ability of affected individuals to find work or advance in their careers. It can also make their lives more uncomfortable as they face harassment or abuse from coworkers, managers or bosses.
Shaping behavior through legislation
The new law is not meant to necessarily address every instance of weight discrimination. Instead, the goal is to sue a few major offenders, with the expectation that other companies will self-regulate to avoid similar legal issues for themselves. In other words, once a few employers are sued for weight discrimination, others will adopt anti-discriminatory policies to protect themselves from litigation, which in turn helps to protect employees without the need to get the courts involved.
A possible model for other cities and states
One of the reasons this law is important is because it can serve as an example to other cities and states that might be considering similar laws. For example, New Jersey and Massachusetts both have their own form of weight discrimination laws currently under consideration by their respective state legislatures. As it becomes more commonplace, people who suffer from weight discrimination will find themselves facing friendlier and more welcoming workplaces, allowing them to be judged on their merits rather than their size or weight.