By STEVE NEAVLING... and now the Miss Politically-Correct Michigan....
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
The recent lawsuits by two waitresses who claim they were discriminated against be cause of their weight have opened the debate among business owners and legal experts about what constitutes discrimination.
Some employment and legal experts say the Hooters lawsuit is just one example of how employers often discriminate based on appearance. Others say one’s appearance, including weight, can be a legitimate factor in hiring decisions.
Although Michigan has a rare law that bans discrimination based on weight and height, employment still is a lot easier to find if you’re thin, law yers and advocacy groups say. “This is really a common business practice,” said attorney Richard Bernstein, who represents Cassie Smith and Leanne Convery in lawsuits that claim they were fired as waitresses because they weren’t trim enough. “This really is the cornerstone of civil rights: You can’t discriminate based on appearance.”.
Denying reality doesn't make it go away.