There should be weight discrimination! A colleague, who is my best friend in the office, has experienced discrimination because of her weight. She is obese, and aside from the snide comments from the manager (who is a very health and weight conscious man, a vegetarian and a regular gym-goer), we think it's the reason she wasn't promoted. She applied for a senior position, and we knew she was way more qualified than the one who got it. One of the questions the manager asked her during the interview was about her weight and whether she intends to do something about it. Then he went on blabbing about how a person's weight speaks of his or her sense of responsibility, her control over her own mind and body, etc., etc.

Oh, that just sucks. I hate people like this. People who have the time and the luxury to work out, but who look down on people who don't.

This got me to thinking about what she can do to appeal her case regarding the higher position she lost just because of her weight and not necessarily her lack of qualification.

Maybe the company should compensate her by enrolling her into a fitness training course at their expense.

Sadly, it is not discrimination per se if they belong to a group of people that are not protected by law. It's that or you'd have everybody filing for discrimination based on a lot of things like physical appearance, the colour of their hair and other stuff!

I agree. But the good thing is, your friend could file for other things like harassment or unfair treatment. Not just discrimination.

I was about to say the same thing. Your friend should have a chat with your boss or with HR about her boss' behaviour!