Eating Disorders and the Workplace Environment
Negative Work Relationships May Contribute to Anorexia and Bulimia
Jul 15, 2009
It does not appear that eating disorders are related to solid, fulfilling relationships, but instead to the fall out or damages caused by relationships that are critical, condescending, judgmental and convey a variety of negative messages, these specifically, within the workplace.
Eating Disorders and the Workplace
An employment environment emphasizing success with strict body size expectations may contribute to the development of eating disorders for the employees. Images of how successful business people (specifically female business people) should look, as well as means to advancement that are linked to body size, produce intense pressures to be slim and attractive. Older women, particularly, who may have gained some pounds, appear to be at a severe disadvantage within the workplace in cultures where youth and beauty are idolized and emphasized.
Particularly disturbing is when management sends clear messages that to succeed, one must adhere to a strict body image or type.
The bottom line is, when the work environment sends strong messages to the employees that body weight and size have become guidelines with which to measure the worth of employees, the scenario is ripe for the development of eating disorders (Healthyplace.com).
Negative Messages in the Workplace
As mentioned previously, if the employee does not meet the physical requirements of the job, that individual is considered worthless. The message of worthlessness wreaks havoc with the employee's self-esteem (Healthyplace.com).
Unable to control the work environment, the desire to succeed and do well may cause an employee to fervently resort to what he or she can control, or think he/she can control - eating and food consumption or the severe withdrawal of caloric intake to reduce weight.
How Negative Messages are Circulated
How do negative messages regarding weight and body size permeate the workplace environment? Employees can see who gets to be promoted and who does not. If only the attractive, body perfect employees are receiving the advancements, those left behind have visual examples to look to.
Additionally, employees talk. When conversation focuses upon the weight, shape and size of other employees, negative connotations are sent out to be passed along or overheard (gossip).
Discrimination of any kind can lead to isolation which has the ripple effect of opening a Pandora's box of anxieties. All of which can then contribute to the lack of job performance rather than the encouragement of performance. Thus, a downward cycle has been created, and for some, eating disorders may be the results.
Sexual Harassment - a Precursor to an Eating Disorder
Sexual overtones on the job, for some, may become the foundation for the development of an eating disorder. An employee who must face a repetitive onslaught of sexual advances in any form may seek to hide the frustration by limiting the intake of food or eating more in an attempt to become less attractive, thus warding off the unwanted harassment.
What is Sexual Harassment?
"The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) describes sexual harassment as a form of gender discrimination that is in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act."
Basically, sexual harassment includes a wide span of elements to include any unwanted sexual verbal or nonverbal overtones.
A landmark case (Kerry Ellison vs. Nicholas Brady - 1990-1991), the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, ruled that sexual harassment is not harmless fun and is to be taken seriously. This particular case set the stage for the "Reasonable Worker Standard" (Sexualharassmentsupport.org/924 F.2d 872).
Employers can help their employees succeed in the workplace by offering atmospheres that contribute to success rather than contribute to the creation of health problems, more specifically, eating disorders.
Source
Rogershospital.org
 |
