Overweight and unhealthy people often have a difficult time getting hired and some may have difficulty performing the duties associated with their job. All things being equal, employers generally prefer to hire thin, attractive workers who they perceive to be more productive, better able to interact with customers, and/or be less likely to become ill or injured and require medical care. Studies by the Bureau of Economic Research indicate that the earnings of overweight and obese women are impacted negatively by their appearance.
Personal finance problems also affect job productivity. One widely quoted study by Garman et al. estimated that 15% of workers have financial problems (e.g., high credit card debt) that negatively impact their job productivity. There’s also another direct link between personal finances and one’s ability to land a job. Many employers today check the credit scores of potential employees, as do creditors, landlords, and auto insurance companies. Credit scores are, in effect, a type of character reference and past “blemishes” (e.g., charged off debts) can prevent someone from getting hired.
