Swedes prefer not to hire overweight

Employers in Sweden often rule out overweight job candidates because of concerns about their productivity, researchers say. Per Johansson, an economics professor at Uppsala University, said the research, conducted by the Institute for Evaluation of Labor Market and Education Policy, found obese job seekers had an 83 percent lower chance of landing a job compared with people of normal weight, Sveriges Radio reported. Johansson said deciding not to hire someone because of their weight is illegal, and companies also risk missing out on talented workers who happen to be somewhat heavy. One woman who lost about 100 pounds after having an operation said her weight cost her the chance to become a deacon in the Church of Sweden -- the bishop told her there was a risk she would suffer knee problems on account of her weight, the TT news agency reported.