There have to be a LOT of women who have crossed being a “Borgata Babe” off their list as the goal of their life today. The Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa in New Jersey announced that the women and men who work as cocktail waitresses and bartenders will now be limited to a weight gain of 7% of their total weight. Should they exceed that amount, they will either be put on a 90 day unpaid leave while they try to loose the weight, or they will be fired. Pregnant women, or those who have a medical condition will be given consideration, but will be required to wear a different costume.
Local 54 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees union has filed a grievance, but should this come before a judge, I doubt, in today’s economic climate, that they will win their case. Representatives for Borgata have stated that the look of the “Borgata Babes” is part of the marketing plan that has brought them considerable success over their competition. The Borgata chain was careful to include the male employees in the new requirements, to forestall claims of discrimination.
Sex sells. Too bad the requirement to keep a sexy shape is likely to harm Borgata’s employees as they deal with the stress of maintaining weight. Insurance statistics show that it’s normal to gain weight as you mature. Women in their thirties, who might be beautiful, and are certainly capable of doing the work required of cocktail waitressing, will have to starve themselves to avoid natural weight gain. Perhaps this could be looked at from the point of view of age discrimination.
Borgata is likely to get what they want, but I can tell you they won’t ever get my dollars.
Arrrgh!!!
It's just my state of mind!
(Playing Devil’s advocate, here): One could look at the management as doing a GOOD thing–by providing incentive to the employees to maintain themselves at a “healthy” weight. I’m not sure how effective it will be; but if someone gave me enough incentive, I might find a way to maintain a healthier weight. (Hunky Husband decided that the prospect of re-marriage was incentive enough to quit smoking! Did I do a BAD thing?)
I agree that gaining weight over the years is what we “normally” do; but, it has been shown that to LOSE a few pounds over the years is the “healthy” thing to do.
If it is part of their corporate and marketing image, then they should go for it. They have the right to maintain the image that they are selling.
Look at other companies with similar situations, like Hooters. They have an “expected” image. No flat chested or “heavy” hostesses there (usually).
The only arguement I would offer to the company would be based on BMI. If a member of the staff “bulked up” and “buffed up” it is conceivable they could exceed the percentage yet actually look better. Should be interesting how this plays out.
WD–Frankly, the guys at the gym with “bulked up” muscles are pretty much a turnoff, to me. Bulky muscles ain’t that good looking! Don’t get me wrong. Some of those guys are really nice guys to know…but…to look at? Nah! Give me a “normal-looking” guy, any day.
Cop Car, if I thought that these women would keep their figures through healthy eating and exercise, I’d be all for it. But, the chances are better that they will try amphetimines or drugs, or poor diets to stay slim. I’d like to know what percentage of American women between 20 and 35 or 40 years of age, have managed to avoid gaining more than 7% of their body weight. I suspect that this is one way the casino can keep their saloons populated with younger waitresses.
Wichi Dude, as a side note, it’s interesting that here in Illinois, the one Hooters that has chosen to go with a more family oriented theme is the one that has the highest gross income. I tend to agree that companies could use less regulation, but not when it’s to the detriment of the work force. How many of those women do you think have enough cash set aside to go on UNPAID leave for 90 days while they try to loose the weight?
Cop Car, one of my sisters works out at the gym at 5:00 in the morning on weekdays. She’s doing strength training, and she’s nicely toned, not musclebound. But, once you start a program like that, you have to keep it up. I wonder if the weight lifters in the group might petition to be measured, rather than weighed?
Yeah, Buffy, women don’t normally have a problem getting musclebound. That is really a guy thing. More power to your sister for sticking to a program that gets her out of the house so early! It must have been a struggle for her to establish the habit.
I think that it’s hard when the alarm clock goes off, but she feels the exercise is necessary to the quality of her life. She has an incredibly high stress job, and the exercise is one of methods she uses to combat the stress.