Borgata (AC Casino) Waitresses: Get Fat, Get Fired (CNN)

[danacara]

Knowing the DIS, I would imagine that some are less than pleased by this.
Would you still go to the Borgata, given this policy?
(Contextual info: Borgata is the most "upscale" casino in AC, certainly the newest).
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Borgata: Lose weight or lose your job

Atlantic City hotel and casino says it will fire any cocktail waitress if she gains too much weight.
February 18, 2005: 4:27 PM EST

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - An Atlantic City casino said its cocktail waitress could lose their jobs if they gain too much weight.

The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa warned its female servers, also known as "Borgata Babes," that they could be suspended from their job if they fail to maintain their sexy figures.

The company told CNN/Money on Friday that the new policy applies to anyone -- including male bartenders -- who gains more than 7 percent of their body weight. But if the weight gain is caused by pregnancy or a medical condition, the company said, the server would be exempt.

"We find this policy to be legal and fair, because the job is defined as a 'performing art' profession at Bogata," Borgata spokesman Michael Facenda told CNN/Money. "Our guests have to come to expect a certain level of service and appearance, and it's our intention to maintain (that image)."

The policy infuriated women's rights advocates, the cocktail servers' union and others, who call the move discriminatory. The cocktail waitress union is also filing a complaint against the new policy. But so far no legal actions have been taken.

Borgata is a joint venture of MGM Mirage (Research) and Boyd Gaming Corp. (Research)

 

[pearlieq]

Disgusting, absolutely disgusting...

I'm heading to Vegas next week, I'll have to make a point to avoid MGM and Boyd establishments.

 

[babar]

Are they told about this ahead of time? Honestly, I see no difference between this and firing people who smoke on their own home time.

Fair is fair.

 

[danacara]

babar, I'm not sure, but I took the article to imply that they weigh them in when they get hired, and cap their weights at 107%. For example, if a girl weighed 120 when she was hired, she'd be capped at 128.4; if a girl weighed 150, she'd be capped at 160.5 ...

 

[perdidobay]

If they are told this is a condition of employment when they are hired, I have no problem with it. And IMHO, if someone had a problem with it, they shouldn't start working there.

 

[babar]

Okay. I don't think it's right, but to make an argument....if they are told ahead of time, then it's their choice to work there. Like I said, what is the difference between this and smoking when you aren't at work? They won't fire for health or pregnancy issues, just weight gain from eating I guess.

I don't think anyone who supports the firing of smokers could be against this. If someone is at work and isn't smoking, it won't affect you.

This isn't coming out as clear as I'd like....there should be microphone technology on this site!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i read this earlier and was really surprised
i guess they just want people to look a certain way they are representing a brand
but i was surprised they could do it

 

[lulugirl]

I don't find this at all offensive. They hire attractive, slim people to begin with.
As a pevious poster mentioned, if they know of this policy when hired they can't really complain.

 

[disneysteve]

I see absolutely nothing wrong with this. Folks here should understand as well as anyone. Disney has had appearance and grooming guidelines for years. If you wanted to grow a beard or long sideburns or wear big fake fingernails or dangly earrings, you didn't go work for Disney. I think a company has the right to enforce a certain appearance code for employees. And before you say Disney doesn't have weight restrictions for employees, consider the performers. A 300 pound guy is not going to be cast as the lead in Tarzan Rocks. An obese woman will never be playing Cinderella. And if a current cast member gains a significant amount of weight, I'm sure Disney would not allow them to continue performing in that role.

babar - I'm curious how you feel this issue is similar to firing employees who smoke at home. I think it is very different.