A New Jersey casino says it will fire servers who gain too much weight unless
pregnancy or a medical condition is responsible, the Associated
Press reports.
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Download NowBorgata Hotel Casino & Spa says drink servers who gain more than 7 percent
of their body weight will be given 90 days of unpaid suspension to lose the
weight, and the company will pay for these employees to enter a weight-loss
program. If they are unable to lose the extra pounds, the casino says it will
fire them.
The company employs about 160 of beverage servers it calls "Borgata Babes,"
who wear designer bustiers as part of their uniform, and 50 other male and female
bartenders, the news service reports.
Labor groups and advocacy groups say that at the very least, the policy is
inappropriate.
"Women should not have to starve themselves just to keep their jobs,"
says Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Research Center for Women &
Families. "The policy places enormous stress on all the women and encourages
eating disorders to reach a totally arbitrary goal."
The casino is defending the policy, saying it is an attempt to clarify its
appearance standards.
"Our costumed beverage servers are a huge part of our marketing and our
branding image," says Cassie Fireman, vice president of talent. "We're
a fun, upscale, energetic and sensual environment, and these positions are a
large part of that."
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