California Weight Discrimination Lawyers

California has some of the strictest employment laws in the nation, preserving your right to receive fair treatment and equal benefits and protecting you from being exposed to hostile or discriminatory acts in the workplace.

Workplace Discrimination > Weight Discrimination

California Weight Discrimination Comes in Many Forms

Weight discrimination in the workplace is an ongoing issue that affects many employees across California. While state and federal laws do not explicitly list weight as a protected category, there are circumstances where employees may still have legal protections.

What Is Weight Discrimination in the Workplace?

Weight discrimination in the workplace occurs when an employer takes adverse actions against an employee or job applicant due to their weight. This could include discriminatory hiring practices, unfair treatment, lack of promotions, harassment, or wrongful termination. While weight itself is not a protected category under California law, related factors such as health conditions or disabilities may provide grounds for a legal claim.

Weight and Disability Protections Under California Law

Weight as a Disability: In some cases, severe obesity may qualify as a disability under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees whose weight is related to a medical condition or disability, unless it causes the company undue hardship.

Health Conditions: Discrimination based on health conditions tied to weight, such as diabetes or thyroid disorders, is prohibited. These conditions may fall under disability protections.

Examples of Weight Discrimination at Work

Unfair Hiring Practices
Job applicants may face bias during the hiring process, including comments about their appearance or assumptions about their ability to perform job duties based on their weight.

Harassment
Employees may experience harassment or derogatory remarks about their weight from coworkers or supervisors, creating a hostile work environment.

Unequal Opportunities
Employers might refuse to consider obese employees for promotions, high-profile assignments, or client-facing roles due to stereotypes.

The Role of Weight Discrimination Lawyers

If you’ve experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation at work due to your weight, our attorneys can:

Gather evidence to support your claim.
Represent you in litigation and during mediation.
Ensure you receive appropriate compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages.

Understanding Your Rights in Employment Discrimination

Weight discrimination in the workplace may intersect with other forms of employment discrimination, such as race, gender, or age. For example, if an obese employee is targeted differently than others of a similar weight due to their gender or ethnicity, this could support additional claims.

Contact Employment Discrimination Lawyers Today

If you are dealing with weight discrimination in the workplace, contact us today for a consultation. We’ll evaluate your case, help you file a complaint, and pursue the justice you deserve.

Our Approach

Our Practices are Guided by Integrity. We’ll protect what you deserve.

We work tirelessly and fight tenaciously to hold rights abusers accountable.

If you’ve experienced a distressing incident related to an issue like this, call us for a free case evaluation.

Did You Know?

Size Discrimination

An employer covered by Title VII is not allowed to fire, refuse to hire, or take assignments away from someone (or discriminate in any other way) because customers or clients would prefer to work with people who have a different sexual orientation or gender identity.

Weight Discrimination

The California Supreme Court held that an overweight employee could qualify as a “disabled” under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) — and, thus, be entitled to employer accommodations and be protected from discrimination and harassment.

Is It Illegal, or Just Unfair?

Legal cases can be lengthy, complicated, and confusing, but you don’t have to take on the system all by yourself. If you believe someone has violated your individual rights, or the rights of a large group of people in your community, we can help you find the right course of action.

Complete the form below or call: 855-913-1134 for a FREE consultation today.

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