Dislike your job? It could be worse—The New York Post reported yesterday that two ex-waitresses of Manhattan’s Sutton Place Bar and Restaurant are suing the establishment (to the tune of $15 million) for tracking their weight and forcing them to hop on the scale at work. One of the plaintiffs, Kristen McRemond, 27, indicated that “she physically resisted when a beefy manager tried to pick her up to get her on the scale while another manager looked on.” It seems that only female employees were subjected to public weigh-ins (or criticized for their choice of foods when dining themselves). The Post reports that the “waitresses' individual weights were tracked on a computer spreadsheet - and the results placed on a Web site that tracked the weights of waitresses in other establishments in the city.”
McRemond, and her co-plaintiff, Alexandria Lipton, 25 (featured above), are accusing Sutton Place’s owners and managers of sexual harassment and illegal firing—both McRedmond and Lipton were axed after vocalizing disagreement about the weigh-ins. As you may imagine, the restaurant’s lawyer has denied these allegations, but has not provided explanation as to why McRemond and Lipton were let go.
While the allegations here are pretty straightforward, it begs the question of how many other workplaces engage in less-subtle (but still discriminatory) weight-related practices. I hope that the current suit raises consciousness about weight discrimination, particularly against women. A woman’s body is not a commodity, a product to be sold—and if the owners of this establishment disagree, then, clearly, they’re in the wrong business.
6 comments:
That is just so wrong!! I remember seeing something similiar to this about a year ago with some casino workers, maybe in Atlantic City. A few of them got fired for putting on weight. The were obviously monitored, but not to the extent that these waitresses were. That's just upsetting.
Thanks for sharing this - I hope it gets all over the news and the restaurant goes out of business (not that I'm bitter or anything...)
Wow! That is unbelievable! They physically tried to weigh her. What is this world coming to!? Good for her for fighting back.
People keep saying that flight attendants need to be slim and tall. I can get down the aisle and deal with luggage just fine.
Flight attendants clearly also need to wear hose and heels and elaborate hair and makeup to be able to do their jobs. Must be something with the altitude.
(I also can't help thinking about all the jobs you simply don't get because of your weight, and all the inexperienced hotties who tend to have no problem getting waitressing or bartending jobs.)
ptc--yes, it is. . .
barbara--I can't say I want to run there right now!
haley--I agree.
blubbah--I remember a flight-attendant issue years ago--anyone else? I'm not sure why all the special grooming is necessary for the job--I think walking through the airport is laborious enough in flats!
The woman in the picture has a gorgeous figure! This is unbelievable.
As for flight attendants, I thought they had relaxed the rules. Many years ago (early 70s) my sister was declined a position working for an airline because she was too "short and heavy". She was 5'5" and I can't remember what she weight but I'd guess about 130.
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