Colleen is employed by Total World Fitness Club as a secretary. Recently, due to stress in her life, she has been binging on chocolate ice cream. As a result, Colleen has gained 14 lbs. Her employer has counseled her about the problem and advised her that she must lose the weight in order to conform to company standards of fitness. Colleen fails to lose the weight and is fired.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities, but being overweight, in and of itself, is not considered a disability under the ADA unless it affects a major life activity. In this situation, Colleen's weight gain has not been shown to substantially affect a major life activity, so she does not have a cause of action for discrimination under the ADA. Additionally, her right to privacy has not been violated since her employer is within its rights to enforce fitness standards and counsel her about her weight gain.

Colleen Is Employed by Total World Fitness Club as a Secretary