British Bus Drivers Suspended for Being Too Fat
- Posted on October 15, 2010 at 8:27am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Two British bus drivers have been suspended over concerns that their weight could damage bus seats. Some employees, however, believe the bus company is looking for excuses to cut stuff.
The London Telegraph reports that managers at Blackpool Transport say the drivers, who weigh a combined 40 stone, or 560 pounds, are too fat for their own welfare. The company has ordered them to lose half a stone, 7 pounds, each in the next month or risk pay deductions.
And while the paper reports that the company also fears for its buses seats, some employees aren’t buying it. “It’s discriminating against them and they are very upset,” one employee, who believes the company is just looking for excuses to cut staff, told the Telegraph. “Why can’t they give incentives to lose weight rather than send people home with the worry of possibly losing pay in the future?”
Others have criticized the decision, too. “I don’t think it is for your boss to tell you that you have to lose weight,” a local politician told the Telegraph. “It is an incredible state of affairs when a transport company takes this action.” He added that a bus driver’s job is “naturally sedentary” and that there should be ways besides suspension to address such issues.
Trevor Roberts, the managing director of Blackpool Transport told the Telegraph that the matter is one of health and safety and was addressed after conduction a “full risk assessment.”
“No one has been dismissed. Anyone who may have been suspended is on full pay. We are in talks with union representatives and there will be a meeting shortly.”
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Amethystmoon
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 8:35amThis is just another nudge.
Report Post »Free2b
Posted on October 16, 2010 at 5:41pmRE: Let’s just be honest. Obesity is a health problem that costs all of us. Just like wreckless drivers who drive up the cost of auto insurance, the higher risks for diabetes and heart disease among obese people drive up medical insurance.
There are a lot of choices people make daily that can have an adverse affect on their health: drinking, smoking, too much salt, not enough leafy greens… The fact is, these overweight drivers are being targeted because there is an obvious physical manifestation for their unhealthy behavior. It is discrimination and it makes me sick.
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on October 16, 2010 at 4:43pm560 pounds between them means an average of 260 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Most college basketball players, who can JUMP HOOP-HIGH, weigh in the mid-to upper-200s.
I’m sure Albert Pujols weighs AT LEAST 250 — he is what I would call ‘chubby’, but certainly not FAT!!!!!!!! Does this mean that he could not get a job as a bus driver???????
teahugger
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 2:23pmmaybe they are only 3 feet tall?
Report Post »jagr1850
Posted on October 16, 2010 at 9:20ammake the drivers walk to work….they will loose pounds……..make everyone at the bus company walk to and from work…………dr phil says your fat because you want to be fat !!!!!
Report Post »johnnycatt
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 7:02pmI stopped at the second line…
Does a company need an excuse to cut staff?
Report Post »Samantha3
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 12:55pmLet’s just be honest. Obesity is a health problem that costs all of us. Just like wreckless drivers who drive up the cost of auto insurance, the higher risks for diabetes and heart disease among obese people drive up medical insurance. Can we just start taking personal responsibility for ourselves? If you’re classified as clinically obese you will be charged more for insurance, your employer can determine your weight’s effect on the job requirements, and no, people can‘t be forced to tell you it doesn’t matter. Care enough about yourself and your kids to get healthy!
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 1:14pmMy tax dollars help you when you need a doctor…why can’t yours help me as well?
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 1:17pmLet me clarify…I have a slow thyroid (I’m on meds for it) and am somewhat overweight as a result. I don‘t want to be judged or punished for that simply because someone thinks I’m irresponsible with my own life without knowing the facts.
Report Post »caitlynsdad
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 12:50pmIn my opinion, rather than firing the bus drivers, what they could do is hire someone to construct stronger seats that can withstand the weight. Then, for every bus, it would be two jobs saved or created.
Report Post »NoStar
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 12:49pmA fat driver makes a bus use more fuel. This increases costs for the bus company and puts more greenhouse gasses in the air.
Report Post »We must save the planet.
johnnycatt
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 7:03pmYES, we must save the planet all all costs!
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 12:46pmI’m a fatty myself…I’m not grossly obese, but chubby to be exact – and I don’t want this happening here – I just don‘t think it’s fair to punish someone whose fat simply because you don’t like the way it looks.
Report Post »George Washington
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 12:18pmSince every pound or stone of weight which a vehicle carries reduces its gas/petrol mileage, an overweight driver increases fuel costs which translates to increased transportation costs. Therefore school buses should all be drones driven by someone sitting at a console in a remote location. Then all bus drivers could look as Ralph Kramden did. Size 60 pants, according to his wife, Alice. By the way. In one episode, Ralph had to lose eight pounds in order to keep his job.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 11:14amstop eating so much!
Report Post »Steve E
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 11:04amI think losing pay would be an effective incentive to lose weight.. Half a stone or half of your wages
Report Post »Dddriver
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 10:28amNot to long ago I saw a sign that said god is pro-life and it made me angry. God is prochoice! But know you will face god and answer for you choices! If more people would just realize God gave us something he didn’t even give the angels : the power of choice.
Report Post »And to quote Stan Lee “with great power comes great responsibility”
galeann
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 10:15amI think people should get a life. Its time to live your life and stop trying to force your life on someone else. We all will answer to God for what and how we lived our lives someday. God is the only one we need to answer to. You want to know how to live your life then read the Bible which is God’s basic instructions before leaving earth. You can’t force someone to follow your rules. Want to change people then show them love and compassion don’t punish them. You can offer all kinds of help for them and pray they take it but it is still their choice in the end. Even God created man with a choice. You can choose his truth or not. He will not force you to follow him. People should do the same. Offer to help them but you have no right to demand this. We all have freedom of choice.
Report Post »drbage
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 10:06amComing to a bus or taxi near you…Before boarding please step on the scale. Sorry, you are weight challenged and we cannot allow you on board. Please report to the Moochelle School of Unpublished Donors for assistance. Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Report Post »Jezreel
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 9:57amHere in the United States if you are severely obese you can get disability payments. Did you know that?! In the case of the bus drivers I was wondering how they can even get up the steps of the bus? If they lay them off, maybe they will get a form of disability too?
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 2:20pmThese guys only averaged 280 pounds each I know guys bigger than that that aren’t really all that unhealthy. Blood pressure heart rate all that jazz just about normal. This is discrimination against fat people. That’s all.
Report Post »istillbelieveinmyUSA
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 9:39amLaugh now, but there will be this kind of thing in the USA, if there isn‘t already and I just haven’t heard about it. Mrs. O is already trying to do it to our kids, we are next, and watch the insurance companies follow suit, soon you won’t be able to get coverage if your overweight…
Report Post »dopie joe
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 11:40amIt has already in the beginning stages here in the US.They(FMCSA-Federal Motor Carrier Admin.) are trying to add new rules and regulations regarding driver qualifications.A driver must pass a DOT(Department of Transportation)physical,which is required by all drivers who wish to engage in interstate or intrastate commerce.They are wanting to start using a body mass index.If a driver rates to high he must go through a sleep study to check for sleep apnea.This alone w/put a lot of drivers out of the business,also stricter BP levels.After 26 yrs,2.5 million miles,no accidents,w/only 1 speeding ticket (70 /55 $25.00 in TN.in 1986 and never went on record)I’m gonna hang it up.To much crap to put up with,the job is not worth it anymore,and I’m not alone in this thinking.They are crying now “there is a driver shortage” I wonder why?Some of the most experienced drivers in the industry are throwing their hands up and saying “I’ve had enough!”.
Report Post »Waiting4George
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 9:33amGee, law enforcement has done this for years. Of course it is directly related job performance. Too big to drive? Time for a bailout….
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 9:17amlet’s see them move on to the back of the bus. No weigh they could get there…
Report Post »starman70
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 9:14amBIG BROTHER SPEAKETH! This iswhat you get from the Nanny State mentality.
Report Post »boomboom
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 9:02amSouEEE…PIG.
Report Post »Fare Please.
walkwithme1966
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 8:50amYes – they were sent home with full pay because these are union jobs. http://wp.me/pYLB7-eD
Report Post »WishWeWereFree
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 8:37amWait, are you saying these guys are being forced to go home and lose a couple of pound with full pay? This is definitely a through the looking glass kind of story!
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 10:52amSounds like a good deal to me. A paid vacation just for losing 7 lbs? Wow, sign me up.
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 12:26pmAnytime I’m away from work ,I gain weight. Seems counterproductive .
Report Post »Highland
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 8:36amLet’s send Michelle Obama to England to take care of THIS obesity crisis – and leave our children the heck alone!
Report Post »Cyanide
Posted on October 15, 2010 at 2:25pmNo, because she would tell them to eat carrot sticks while she eats french fries.
Report Post »CYCLONE
Posted on October 16, 2010 at 12:51amthey probably take a 7 pound dump 5 times a day…ppfffttt… folks… it’s only about losing 7 pounds in a month… bet that bus seat will feel better… LMAO !!!…
…it’s not like they have a roto-tiller butt like Michelle…now that is a seat buster !!!
… more fries please !!!
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