Fatima Waidi, a Lagos-based mother of two, alleges that a company denied her a job offer on the excuse that she has belly fat.....
''I had been searching for a job to get extra income as a single mother. So I got information for the interview and decided to try my luck. When I got there, I was interviewed by the HR (Human Resources officer) and the manger. At the end of the interview, they told me “You are who we need,” then they proceeded to welcome me to the company but asked that I wait for the general manager to get to the office for her to meet me.
Fatima Waidi an SSCE holder is from Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State and a single mum of two and a self-taught hairstylist.
She recently trended online for complaining about a firm that allegedly denied her a job offer because she has belly fat.
She recently trended online for complaining about a firm that allegedly denied her a job offer because she has belly fat.
She tells PUNCH what really happened....
''I had been searching for a job to get extra income as a single mother. So I got information for the interview and decided to try my luck. When I got there, I was interviewed by the HR (Human Resources officer) and the manger. At the end of the interview, they told me “You are who we need,” then they proceeded to welcome me to the company but asked that I wait for the general manager to get to the office for her to meet me.
I waited for three hours for her to arrive.
When she came in I was interviewed again by the general manager. At the end of the interview she was impressed and shook hands with me and I was asked to come back.
I was already excited that I had got the job; I thanked them and stood up to leave; it was then the general manager looked at me and said, “You got a bit of FUPA (belly fat);” and I said yes, then she said, “I’m sorry, we can’t employ you because of that.”
I was confused and had nothing to say at that point. I felt she could have just told me: “Sorry, you didn’t get the cut-off or not qualified for the job;” rather than body-shaming me''.
*I am still shocked to read this......Denied a Job because of Belly fat?.. Has anyone else reading this now been body shamed like this before?
I believe her o
ReplyDeleteCall out the name of the company or rest abeg.
ReplyDeleteIs it a modelling job or what?
ReplyDeleteGood question
DeleteObviously not. Which modeling job needs a model to interview with HR and general manager. It's some kind of corporate job.
DeleteI believe her, this is Nigeria where anything can happen. Imagine denying her opportunity to make an honest living for herself.
ReplyDeleteThings happen everywhere not only in Nigeria, you all should stop talking negative of this country always.
DeleteGod bless you @ anon 08.56.
DeleteThey all seem to just enjoy running our country down even people that do the bad and evil things.
Its okay when it happens in their home town or abroad but outside this na to dey run down their country
Anon 8.56. WELL SAID!!! It sure happens everywhere even here in US. The only difference is that legal system works. Simple!!!
DeleteThank you 8.56.
DeleteI absolutely believe her. Some recruiters once they see you are 'fat', forget it. Nothing you will say during the course of the interview that can make them hire you.
Delete8:56 & 9:30 who is talking negative or running down our dear country Nigeria? So the manager that denied an applicant a job she deserves on merit did a positive thing abi, make una keep deceiving unasef.
Delete9:31, you said the legal system works in the US, which imply that you're indirectly saying Nigeria legal system doesn't work, hahaha what a positive statement to make. The joke is on all of you anonymous(es). Y'all better call a spade a spade if you want a better Nigeria.
We shouldn't give birth again?
DeleteAnne K, instead of you to take correction, you are still vibrating. Continue.
Delete13.01 you would be naive if you think these things are limited to just Nigeria. In the UK, just your name alone is enough to eliminate you from the shortlist for interviews, coded racism in different forms.
DeleteAnne K, no one "deserves" a job, get that straight.
14:06, corrections for what exactly? Check my first comment very well, I never wrote it doesn't happen in other countries, I only restricted my opinion to naija where I am resident. You need to be specific with the correction you want me to take.
DeleteBTW, from the comments here, it seems to me that because it happens everywhere all over the world make it a right thing to do cos I didn't see any of you condemning the GM's action.
14:08, tell me what's the word, I'm not an HR person.
No one is saying it is right, the point is people are sick and tired of everyone acting like negative things happen ONLY in Nigeria.
DeleteAnd as I said, no one is entitled to a job even if they pass with merit.
@Anne K, what are you DOING about getting a better Nigeria? To be bashing her everyday?
DeleteIt depends on the type of job,probably required to look a certain way.Anything is possible in naija no doubt about that.
ReplyDeleteI believe her o,these days anything is possible,as people are so concerned with what they consider standard of beauty.
ReplyDeleteIt's so bad but we need to learn how to dress to hide belly fats. I'm a mother too and I have belly fat. I dress very well and elegant. People won't believe I hv belly fat. I'm a tailor ,you will see a woman with belly fat wanting to dress like Nengi. Pls women dress according to your body type. Madam,come to my shop,I will dress you up and nobody will notice your belly fats.
ReplyDeleteMeans you're supporting the company then?
DeleteYou are more interested in playing dress up than actually seeing how damaging this is. OK o
DeleteWork on your fat
ReplyDeleteI've been body shamed severally, I was also denied a job at Market place/Kilimanjaro, their excuse was that I am too big for the job, π
ReplyDeleteTor! Big as per size or status? What size are you?
DeleteBad of them.
DeleteOn a serious note, if you're overweight, consider losing weight to get to a normal BMI. Too many health challenges will be avoided.
Thank you 10:10
DeleteAnon 10:10, leave them o. Team curvy Dem. Team bold and beautiful dem
DeleteSMH
ReplyDeleteNa wa ooo. This is really bad
ReplyDeleteMy question is what kind of job would a ssce holder get that would require a flat stomach?
ReplyDeleteEven ushers and club hostesses with belly fat wear girdles or waist shapers.
Or is that the General Manager doesn't know that waist shapers exist for this purpose??
I don't understand the story but know that applicants are many times rejected for very flimsy reasons here. When supply exceeds demand in the jungle, anything goes.
Facts of life: Attractive people get ahead in life and get quite a lot of things easier.
The better your looks the easier for you. I am not writing anything new.
I have seen people gain things, jobs, advantages due to good looks.
It is to your benefit to groom yourself as best as possible.
Whether they are able to keep those things only they can tell.
When ever you step out score yourself and make sure it is not less than 8 or get a partner/sibling/friend to score if you know you no sabo dress well.
Groom yourself, dressing, walking, etiquette, good smell, good breath, clean skin etc.
It's for your benefit.
Good looks >>>> everything
Delete9:29, don't mind her, she could not use a girdle while going for the interview.
DeleteGood looks matters a lot. Single ladies searching for a husband, you attract high profile men when you package your looks well and not rif-raffs. Ladies and men, package yourself!
The manager thought she was pregnant. She should have immediate said she's not pregnant and it's just fat.
ReplyDeleteThe manager was specific. Said she has " belly fat". That is different from "are you pregnant?
DeleteAnyways,I've been denied a job once cause I am not fair. I've gone for an interview somewhere before and we were told before being interviewed that hope we ladies could make up. That they do not go make up free face there.
Me that does make up only on rare occasions
Except it's a modelling job,I don't see why her belly should be their problem o
ReplyDeleteShe should've stated the role she was applying for, so we can understand the reason for this awful treatment. All the same, ones body type is not enough reason to deny them a chance to make an honest living. I pray u get a better job Miss.
ReplyDeleteExactly, she should have stated the role she applied for and the nature of the company's business.
DeleteEven at that, like she said there are better ways to go about it than body-shaming.
DeleteIt happens. Even on this blog, we have seen vacancies saying they want only fair skinned applicants, one spa like that. Employers set a certain standard for their staff, it may be looks, body size,skin colour, etc.
ReplyDeleteNow that her matter have entered social media, her miracle is here
Naawaoo!
ReplyDeleteThis is not really good, ooh, ije α»₯wa.
The same way some where rejected after a successful interview cos of their dentition.....
ReplyDeleteNo matter what people will always get body shamed.... like did they create themselves?
Life no balance.
All of us jumping into conclusion should note that the woman in question did not state the nature of her job nor the requirements it entails. who knows, it could have been a modelling job or a job that has to do with beautification.
ReplyDeleteplease before you attack something look deep.
Hmmm anything is possible in Nigeria
ReplyDeleteMy sis was demoted from a PA to the CEO (a multi-national organisation) to a "Receptionist" whose duty is to welcome and register people entering into the organisation cos of her postpartum tommy. She's practically redundant. It's really affecting her self esteem. She's asked to be transferred to other departments where her skills could be utilised, to no avail.
ReplyDeleteThough she tries to hide it with her tough facade, I can still see through and it hurts that I can't help.
Must she be in a place shes not happy in? Must she stay in a place thay doesnt recognise her skills and worth? When the universe has opened a door of promotion, it makes us uncomfortable till we move out of there, unfortunately ur sis wants to die there. Let her move forward in life abeg.
DeleteMust she be in a place shes not happy in? Must she stay in a place thay doesnt recognise her skills and worth? When the universe has opened a door of promotion, it makes us uncomfortable till we move out of there, unfortunately ur sis wants to die there. Let her move forward in life abeg.
DeleteWhy didn't she use a waist clincher or waist trainer? She works in a multinational company and doesn't know how to package herself. Which day did you see Omotola or Mercy Johnson going around with big tummy which you are calling postpartum tummy? Some people do not value what they have. In this day of job scarcity that even young single and trim girls do not get jobs, she is playing with hers. Tell her to do something about it before they will sack her.
DeleteSorry to hear your sister's experience.
DeleteWould be odd if that was the only reason, has she told you everything?
Anon 13:17 and 13:21 Do you think someone who's enlightened and has worked as a PA for years wouldn't know how to "package" herself? mind you, not her 1st nor 3rd child. Of course she does "package herself "very' well- she has varieties of cinchers. The CEO was transferred to another country- Rotational. The new one (A South African) preferred a slim person.
DeleteAnon 13:16, I have few words for you. Be kind with words as you only know in part; and yes, she has been applying for jobs (don't forget Covid happened and the system is still recovering) Also, it's not that easy to get a job cos you're "smart" or "intelligent". God's Grace and Favour helps us all. She will be favoured- in due course.
Anon 14:05, thanks for your kind words.
DeletePossibly; I can only believe what she told me- she had no reason to lie to me. There'd been no pre-existing query or anything of such. Her Performance ratings had always been exceptional.
It will end in praise.
13.16 how can you say she wants to die there? Even the aggressive manner you asked the questions is not it. Please and please let's be guided with our words, that is how some of you get yourselves into trouble without knowing how.
DeleteAnon, I wish your sister the best, this could be the door for bigger things for her.
Please use this as an opportunity to reduce the belly fat and upgrade your looks
ReplyDeleteHow sad..........
ReplyDeleteIf it's a country that protects the interest of the applicants such firm will pay for it but here nothing happens to them
ReplyDeleteMy dearest women, I used to believe in the opinion that because I have given birth to children, that big tummy is an evidence especially with CS, until my daughter saw Amara Kanu,and asked me if she is a mom, I told her yes, she told me "mom do something and reduce your tummy like hers", she encouraged me ,joins me in exercises, motivates me, I watch AK instagram everyday, I went from a waist size on the navel of 48 inches to 37inches , I started in 2019. No slimming tea, just portion control, intermittent fasting, lots of water, simple exercises with walking. Every woman can achieve it ,don't just rush it ,make it a lifestyle, gradually you will achieve your body set goals.
ReplyDeleteIf you have belly fat, use girdle or waste trainer to hide it when going for an interview.
ReplyDeleteThis country sef.
The irony of it all is that it was a woman who did it to her. What works for you may not work for another. We should normalize people being themselves instead of packaging everyday. The day every human being ignores what others do when they are not breaking the law, that is the day I know the world is ending
ReplyDeleteIt is disgusting how ppl will fall to these tactics not knowing that when they accept these bullshyt treatment they are signing up themselves and future generations for a lifetime of oppression. Today it is belly fat, what will it be tomorrow? you are bald we can't hire you, you are too dark skinned, your legs are too short, your bum is too big or too little, you have neck rolls? It is only when these things land on ppl's doorsteps they know the pain involved.
Delete