A recruiter has slammed an employer for suggesting an interviewee was not suitable for a role due to her size.
Faye Angeletta, a recruitment director from the UK, said she was "lost for words" over the comment, which she shared in a LinkedIn post titled: "'Sorry, you haven't got the job - you're too fat.'"
The post included a screenshot of her conversation with the unnamed employer, in which they praise the candidate. "She knows the market and has a good grasp of the local area," the message reads.
The employer then goes on to say: "The only thing bothering me is she isn't the slimmest of girls... I'm not being sizeist but it was rather off-putting."
"Presentation is important to us and you know we have a 'standard' for our staff," they added. "The full package - experience and also look - is key for us."
Angeletta - who recruits for roles in new home sales - was so appalled by the comments that she took to LinkedIn to share them. She said that out of all the crazy reasons she'd been given for rejecting a candidate - from "garlic breath" to looking like "Piers Morgan on speed" - this was the most unacceptable.
"To discriminate against someone for their weight? It's just bang out of line and pure bigotry," she wrote.
"In customer-facing roles, there is an expectation for presentation and it comes without question you need to look the part on-site. However, if you want to recruit on the basis of appearance over ability, maybe try a modeling agency."
Angletta has since made the employer aware that she no longer wants to work with them, and found the candidate a position elsewhere. Her post on LinkedIn has racked up almost 200 comments, with many thanking her for bringing the issue to light.
"Well done for exposing this," wrote one user.
"I've heard some very unsavory reasons not to hire but this is up there with the worst," added another.
"Well done for putting this out there - I hope they are on your LinkedIn and see just how badly this comes across! Shocking behavior!" commented a third.
