Please reference Bell, M. P., & Leopold, J. (2021). Diversity in Organizations. (4th ed.). Cengage

Weight and Appearance Discrimination

Karen Greenleaf an administrative assistant at Bambergers Warren has worked for the organization for 22 years. Recently she requested to meet with Luz Diaz and Meghan Greenberg, DEI business partners for Bambergers Warren to discuss her performance evaluation. Karen's supervisor Michael Litinski (employed by the organization for 26 years) wrote the following comment on her performance evaluation: "Karen performs her job duties well despite her age, weight and size." Thereafter, Karen was relocated to work in a stock room by herself two days after receiving the evaluation. When she questioned the relocation of her workstation, Michael informed her that she needed a "big space" to work because she was a "big girl" and needed to work in a location so that she would not be in the way of other office workers. He also stated that he wanted to "see beauty in the front office and was tired of looking at her spotted skin." Michael later replaced Karen with Carrie, a 23-year-old Hispanic woman who dresses provocatively, has pink and orange hair, several body piercings and visible tattoos. Karen stated, "she looks cheap and slutty and wears too much makeup." Karen was distraught over the comments made by Michael and believed that she was being discriminated against because of her age (56), the fact that she is overweight and her size (she is 5"11 and weighs 350 pounds), has very thin gray hair, does not wear makeup, and wears very casual attire and she has vitiligo). She informed Luz and Meghan that she Michael refers to her as "spot" which she finds offensive. Karen also informed Luz and Meghan that she is considering filing a discrimination lawsuit against the organization.

Question

What Would You Do?

As the diversity, equity, and inclusion manager, what would do about the issues involved in the above scenario?

Your response must include a discussion on all of the following:

• Weight and appearance discrimination in the workplace
• Appearances
• Statues prohibiting weight and appearance discrimination
• Weight and appearance stereotypes
• Beauty standards and make-up
• Physical disabilities
• Race, color and ethnicity
• Emotional intelligence