Fat cat bosses under threat from fit cats

Over three quarters of British bosses (79 per cent) believe that there is a prejudice against people who are seriously overweight in business

70 per cent of bosses believe that overweight people are seen as lacking self-discipline and control

Almost half (44 per cent) of British business men and women plan a New Yearís Resolution to lose weight

With the New Year firmly in sight and the excesses of the festive period edging up the needle on the bathroom scales, it appears that British bosses will be turning their attention to New Yearís resolutions of weight loss diets and gym membership. Indeed, British business executives believe that piling on the pounds inhibits career progression, according to a survey on workplace image by The Aziz Corporation ñ the UKís leading executive communications consultancy. A clear majority of bosses also believe that those who are very fit and exercise regularly are better able to cope with the stresses and demands of a senior role in business.

The research by The Aziz Corporation found that 79 per cent of bosses believe that there is a prejudice in business against the seriously overweight. Amongst those who consider themselves at least somewhat overweight, the proportion believing there is prejudice rises to 82 per cent. 70 per cent believe that people who are overweight are seen as lacking self-discipline and self-control, while 67 per cent think that they are viewed as lacking energy and drive. In contrast, 70 per cent believe that those who are very fit are better able to cope with the stresses and demands of a senior role in business.

Professor Khalid Aziz, Chairman of The Aziz Corporation, comments:
ìContrary to the belief that brains not weight is important in business, and that only supermodels and celebrities need to concern themselves with diets and regular exercise to look good, this research reveals that appearance matters in business, and that weight is one of the key factors in appearance. Those who are heavily overweight give a message that they lack self-control. Consequently, others may believe that this behaviour will be reflected in their work, and that they may lack the self-esteem and ambition necessary for a senior role in business. The competitive nature of business and securing a senior role means that appearance can be make or break.î

Professor Khalid Aziz continues:
ìEmployees are judged on appearance as well as talent. If you have two candidates both capable of doing a job and one is of normal weight and the other is heavily overweight, then often the thinner person will be chosen, particularly if they will be in a client-facing role. This is because, rightly or wrongly, being slim is often equated with being successful. This message is heavily promoted by the advertising world and so this particular prejudice only looks set to continue.î

Professor Khalid Aziz comments:
ìTake Alan Sugarís The Apprentice for example. The final two contestants were Michelle Dewberry and Ruth Badger. Both were very successful and had fought hard, in their careers and during the competition, to be successful. Some might say that Ruth was actually a higher achiever than Michelle because she had more experience in increasing turnover ñ and profit. However, when it came to the crunch, it was the thin, blonde Michelle, that got the job. Whilst the likes of Alan Sugar like to metaphorically throw their weight around, actually carrying weight is considered more of a hindrance, than a help in business.î

The research also reveals bossesí own opinions of their weight and image. 56 per cent consider themselves to be about the right weight, 38 percent believe themselves to be somewhat overweight, with only 5 per cent considering themselves as being significantly overweight. The survey found only 1 per of bosses believing themselves to be underweight ñ all of whom were women. When it comes to New Yearís resolutions, 44 per cent of British bosses will be aiming to lose weight, whilst 41 per cent have already been on a diet in the last 12 months.

Professor Khalid Aziz comments:
Of course bosses cannot admit to having these sort of prejudices or they will find themselves in front of the Equal Opportunities Commission faster than they can say ëweight-watchersí, but that does not mean that they donít exist. Indeed, so much of business is about reading between the lines.î