Judge Rules That Casino Waitresses Can be Fired for Gaining Weight
In a shocking decision rendered last week, a New Jersey judge ruled that casinos may fire waitresses for gaining weight.
A suit was filed against the Borgata Casino by two women claiming they were routinely subjected to “weigh ins” and would be disciplined for gaining more than 7 percent of their body fat.
The judge ruled that these so-called “Borgata Babes” were hired as sex objects and were therefore not protected under weight discrimination laws.
New Jersey Superior Court Judge Nelson Johnson wrote that the “Borgata Babe program has a sufficient level of trapping and adornments to render its participants akin to ‘sex objects’ to the Borgata’s patrons."
Judge Johnson added that the women who sued "cannot shed the label babe" because they "embraced it when they went to work for Borgata."
Casino executives rejoiced at the judge’s decision.
"We have long held that Borgata's personal appearance policy is lawful and reasonable," said Joe Lupo, vice president of operations for the casino.
"The court noted that our personal appearance standards are fully and openly disclosed to all team members and that every plaintiff voluntarily accepted them before starting work."
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
