FAT people are less likely to find work in Manchester, according to city employers.

Almost a quarter of businesses admit they are concerned that obese job candidates will take more sick days because of weight-related illnesses.

A survey of more than 100 firms comes after research by a recruitment industry magazine showed almost one in three human resources workers think obesity is a valid reason not to employ a candidate.

However, none of the employers contacted by the M.E.N. admitted discriminating against fat people at interview.

But Graeme Warner, of health insurance brokers Manson Warner Healthcare, said he understood the reasons for concern.

He said: "If you had two similarly qualified candidates and one of them struggled to climb the stairs would you take a chance?


"There is also the perception that a weight problem says something about lifestyle. If someone had a beer belly, you would assume they spent too much time down the boozer."

Dietician Hazel Andrews said: "When you look at the statistics people with a body mass index of more than 35 are going to suffer health problems and have more time off work, so I can understand it."

She also said obese people are often seen as lazy. "It's similar to smokers, in that obesity for most people is an effect of lifestyle," she said.

Lawyer John Hardman, at John Hardman and Co, which conducted the survey, said that employers who discriminate could be breaking the law.

He said: "Although there is no specific protection against `fattism', employers cannot rule out candidates because of their size."

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