Recently I came across an appalling article from several different news sources-Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, located in Atlantic City, N.J., has officially made it a requirement for their cocktail waitresses and bartenders to maintain a certain weight. Otherwise these employees will face up-to 90 days of unpaid probation. During this time, they can be put on a weight-loss program paid for by Borgata and attempt to lose the extra weight. If they do not succeed in doing so, they will be fired.
I don't know how many people have heard about this, but it completely shocked me when I first read about it. I thought to myself, how can casino officials view this policy as OK? Not only is it completely discriminatory, but it sends the wrong message to women everywhere.
I should mention they do stipulate that weight gain due to pregnancy or a medical condition will be exempt from this rule. Well, that makes me feel so much better.
Is the casino aware that these certain exceptions do not negate the discrimination all the other cocktail servers still face?
I realize it is ultimately at the casino's discretion to enforce rules they think are necessary. I realize good marketing is key to a successful business. And I realize in our society, sexy women sell.
However, one news source says that Borgata's edgy marketing strategies along with its employees' sexy accents has helped weed out much competition since opening in 2003. Their business is booming already, so something must be working.
It is obvious their sexily clad beverage servers, who are required to wear black, low-cut bustiers, help contribute to the casino's success, so why punish them for the revenue they bring in? They should be receiving raises, not weight limits.
Borgata Vice President Cassie Fireman said the policy clarifies existing appearance standards:
atural hourglass figures"" and, for men ""V-shaped torsos, broad shoulders and slim waists.""
Why does this standard need to be ""clarified?"" I think it is pretty self-explanatory. Since when does a natural hourglass figure equate to maintaining a certain thinness?
Enforcing a weight limit is a recipe for disaster. It further perpetuates our fat-obsessed society that continually bombards the media with the message ""thin is in."" We need to move away from this notion; this is just one huge leap in the wrong direction.
Furthermore, this new policy may cause the onset of eating disorders among beverage servers who gain a little weight and can not afford to lose their job. This puts them in a very difficult situation, one that is based on completely arbitrary ideals to begin with.
I do understand women in this position are objectifying themselves to a certain degree. They definitely are not the equivalent of other wait staff in your typical restaurant or bar. But is it right to say ""They are asking for it?"" That is like saying a woman yelling at her husband is asking for a good beating.
Yes, their jobs are based on looks, more so than many other jobs. However, this is sending the message to all casinos that it is alright to require employees to stay thin in order to make a larger profit.
Who is to say this idea will not extend beyond casinos to other businesses as well, such as Hooters or strip clubs? These places of employment rely heavily upon one's appearance, yet most (to my knowledge) do not require employees to maintain a certain weight. Only trouble will come if this trend catches on.
Borgata officials specify that a weight gain greater than 7 percent of an employee's body weight is where they draw the line. So this means that if a woman who is 5'6' and weighs 135 lbs. gains 9.45 lbs. (7 percent of her body weight), she will be fired.
According to the Body Mass Index, she would still be in the range of a ""normal"" weight for her height. I can see how this substantial eight to ten lb.-weight increase could hinder business. It makes perfect sense that ""normal"" sized women should not be wearing sexy outfits.
I think Karen DiCaprio, a gambler at the casino, summed it up nicely when she said, ""So what if they gain a little weight? They're serving drinks; they're smiling. All people are interested in is gambling, anyway.""
Cheers to you Karen!
Kat is a junior majoring in psychology. E-mail her at krpeterson@wisc.edu.
