Controversy surrounding Cassandra Smith, a 20 year old Hooters employee, is gaining momentum among civil rights activists after she was told by her employer that she ought to lose weight otherwise face termination.
According to Hooters of America, the corporate company, in an official statement, “the company does uphold image standards from the more than 17,000 Hooters girls currently serving in the more than 455 restaurants around the world.” Hooters went on to say that the employee has been “counseled about [her] weight," even going so far as to offer Cassandra Smith a free gym membership.
A free gym membership. Not bad.
In a video statement, Cassandra Smith commented that she was told that her uniform was “not properly fitting anymore” (italics are mine). A seemingly callow remark implying that her uniform did fit at one point in her career as a Hooters waitress. To me, when a uniform, bridal gown, prom dress, business suit -- clothes -- no longer fit, it is a clear indication that you are putting on weight.
Cassandra Smith does not have a valid case. Ms. Smith is free to work anywhere else in this great country of freedom and choice, assuming her new employer does not have “standards.” As I’ve said before, if one willingly applies to work at an establishment where image is among the top requirements, then the applicant does indeed have an obligation to uphold that deal; handshake or contract. Cassandra Smith appears to be squatting on the “acceptance bandwagon” and might very well gain support from others who myopically interpret this as an unjust social rights violation.
I applaud Hooters; not only are they preventing Cassandra Smith from rolling down a hill headed towards obesity at an early age, but they are upholding their own corporate standards as being “delightfully tacky yet unrefined.”
I asked Jamie Eason, a celebrity fitness model, to comment on the Hooters corporate policy and what it means to be judged based on one’s appearance. Here is what she had to say:
Stefan Pinto: Did you ever work as a waitress?
Jamie Eason: No, I've never been a waitress but I have held jobs where image was an issue; ie, NFL Cheerleader for the Houston Texans.
Stefan Pinto: Do you think companies that uphold an image-based standard are in violation of one’s civil rights?
Jamie Eason: I believe that if a company hires you, they are hiring you based on your current appearance and fit for their image or brand. In this particular Hooters incident, Cassie actually lost weight from the date she was hired. It should be a non-issue.
Stefan Pinto: Cassandra Smith is 20 and 5’8” tall. Many young women reading about the controversy could misinterpret the message, some even assuming that they are overweight. How would you, as a public figure, advise young women to be happy with themselves?
Jamie Eason: Cassie is most definitely at a healthy weight and in my opinion, looks wonderful. I can understand that a company wants to hold everyone to a certain standard to maintain a consistent image for a product or service that is centered around sex appeal, however, a better practice would be to measure inches over weight because bone density, water weight and the muscle to body fat ratio can vary dramatically from person to person. Women should be less concerned with the number on the scale and focus more on the fit of their clothes.
Stefan Pinto: Should Cassandra Smith take the free gym membership to keep her job at Hooters?
Jamie Eason: I feel that the company offering her a free gym membership is above what many others might do, but a 30 day requirement is not the most realistic. I'd tell Cassie to take the free gym membership but I wouldn't blame her if she had her lawyer look into potential weight discrimination charges because as I mentioned before, they hired her at a heavier weight, so the expectation to lose weight should have been set before the initial hire.
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Comments
Can't she just get a job at another restaurant?
Her image was apart of her job duties- she failed to keep up her end of it. She looks ok & can waitress elsewhere or drop lbs.
ps. Jamie Eason for the win!
Valid. Well said.
Chinese restaurants all over have only Geisha girls as waitresses -- how do they get away turning down all the men that apply by saying they only want women? And they turn down black women because they are not Asian looking? Hooters waitresses are no different that a model hired by Revlon as their spokesman. If she gets fat & haggy looking, no reason to renew her contract. Hooters mistake was hiring them as "waitresses" and not fixed term length contractors, where their employment is subject to voluntary renewal every year.
I have heard her review was done over the phone from ladies that had not seen her face to face. I think if they have a code or policy about weight and appearance then they should have the girls evaluated by a strict standard and let the girls know up front what the rules are. Also they should be evaluated in person not over the phone.
If she were hired with the stipulation that she remain within a certain body weight; I would say that she has no grounds for legal action.
Jamie made some very valid points about a persons bone density and other factors. Each person is built differently and may have a different body weight one way or the other on the scale.
I know that Las Vegas show girls and other performers are expected to stay with in a body weight ratio in order to keep their jobs.
I also would need to know more facts about the situation to make a definitive decision.
She should sue if they try to fire her. It is sad how superficial our society has become. To be obsessed with your appearance is to be a victim of the media.
Poor Stefan is a victim and a victimizer: a self selected spokesman for the shallow, the superficial, the vain.
she looks like a hog in the second picture -dont pay big money to look at hogs -hooters is free to hire or fire whoever hey want -its not a public funded business like a fed or state worker
Did you ever consider that's just a bad picture? Here's a link to an interview with her, look at her arms and its clear she's still quite thin, I think she's some-what flat faced which gives the appearance of heaviness in a bad photo... but she was actually 10lbs heavier when she started working there! It wasn't weight gain it was weight critique by an executive board of some kind.
Makes so much sense. If Hooters has a size requirement and an image then she can't work there anymore.
How is it you only hear about fat people in problems and suing places for discrimination?
I think that if a company has an image to portray and they hire based on that image, the employee has the obligation to uphold that image. Whether it's Hooters, or Abercrombie or Thunder from Down Under (:), you are being hired because of your look and it's a look that is associated with that particular company. I can't judge whether Cassandra fit the image by a few photos, but she knew what she was getting into working at Hooters...
Hooters isn't doing any woman a favor, least of all this one. As young as she is she probably was not done filling out yet. She wasn't necessarily getting fat. Haven't you noticed that young people are still doing some changing and developing between the ages of 18 and 25? What, she's not allowed to go through NORMAL BODY CHANGES now? We don't even know whether the Hooters uniforms are realistic or whether they only fit on women who are undersized. But you're right, Hooters has the constitutional right to be bastards about this. Yet one more reason I will never patronize their business. And no thinking *man* would, either.
I mean... Seriously. LOOK at her photo. You think that's fat? Then you have a problem. Cassandra's only issue is she lives in a country full of bats?!t crazy people who have nothing better to do than make women feel bad because we're not shaped the same as men.
I Think that when you work at HOOTERS, You know its all about the look you portray. Its common sense that you need to look attractive and such to be a waitress there. To have the company offer a free gym membership and still not do anything about it makes me scratch my head. id love to work for a company that would give me a gym membership. Hahaha. Im sure Cassandra is a Beautiful person in real life. Just because she doesnt fit 'HOOTERS REGULATIONS' doesnt mean she still isnt pretty. She should understand how the Buisness works and move on. Just my opinion
Great stuff here, Stefan. I think you've taken an unpopular position, and made sense of it. Thanks.
stef, what u wrote really something to think about and i believe it happens all the time in a work industries where looks , size , shapes and presence require before they are hired or get the opportunity..it may look cruel but it the fact that everything need to look good and everyone what to look at things that easy on the eyes and the company wants a right suitable image to represent their brand especially in food product, fitness things and so on and you knows better what sort of industries that are..in a way in kinda healthy too and got minus points as well.
one things that curios me is that when jamie said ' cass lost weight from the day she was hired. is that referring as she was hired at heavier weight than her current weight?..
The picture on the left is CLEARLY taken from when she started at Hooters - I would stand by managements decision. I've dated 4-5 "Hooters Chicks" and they did not look like that. Hooters has a brand, and that brand is sex appeal. When I first saw the picture (from a couple years ago)I thought, "how terrible, she is beautiful!" - after watching her interview video, I would ask for another waitress.....
Dan Hess - Regular Hooters connoisseur
One issue missing in this discussion is why Ms. Smith's uniform fitting was not an issure prior to May 2010. Ms. Smith has reported she weighed MORE 2 years ago, yet there Hooter had no "issue" with the fit of her uniform until now? Ms. Smith's weight is on the low end of the US Gvt. recomendations for her age & height, while the Hooters Asst. Regional Mgr. (as seen in the TV news report) is a 300-400 lb. porker. Hooters should get that guy the gym membership - and keep him away from their food! Ms. Smith is reported to be a good waitress, is attractive & in my opinion not heavy. If Hooters does not like her size now, why did they hire her 2 years ago? This is - and should be - a PR nightmare for Hooters, and the issue about Hooters apparent double standards for ALL their employees is relevent when those issues are considered. This story should not be focused on Ms. Smith's weight, but on how corporate america (voices on the phone from Atlanta) can make some really poor decisions.
If I want to see scantily clad women, I'll go to a strip club. If I want good wings, I'll got to Buffalo Wild Wings. I will never patronize Hooters, because it's just a tease with crappy wings. That, and normally uppity business men who want to get their jollies off go there instead of the strip club, cause their wife could smell the stripper on them. Plus, who wants an anorexic chick, yuck. Don't like too skinny, don't like to big. 120 - 140 is just right.
I refuse to eat at Hooters because I find the premise of the chain to be offensive. That said, the one form of discrimination that is perfectly legal is discrimination based on appearance.
A company/non-profit has the right to protect its corporate image; Have you ever seen a person with bad teeth working at a dentist’s office? An obese person as receptionist at a health club? Someone covered in tattoos at an attorney’s office – or any “professional” office?
Hooters business model is to get patrons to come to see the women/waitresses and to eat. The women come first. If they are not attractive, by management standards, they won’t attract patrons. It’s silly, stupid and ridiculous, but it obviously works. Hooters is a success and they have the right to protect their business model.
The real question for me is, why would any self-respecting woman work there?
I am an executive recruiter.
Bruce A. Hurwitz, Ph.D.
President and CEO
HSS
www.hsstaffing.com
Somehow people with low self esteem always manage to blame others for everything
Cassie Smith here :) if you'd like, please call channel fox 2 news and they would be glad to tell you that the photo on the left was taken on monday afternoon. the photo on the right was taken a day later. thank you for your time! <3
If there is a contract involved, there should be guidelines to adhere to. I would take the gym membership & have them throw in a personal Chef too!
As I wrote in the article I just published on this topic (Examiner.com/x-31378-LA-Fitness-Examiner~y2010m5d20-Hooters-controversy-and-Cassandra-SmithIs-this-really-a-surprise), I'm more interested in the underlying message surrounding the collective agreement on what makes one person sexier, more attractive, more worthy of attention than another. For those who don't fit the mold, it's up to each of us to decide for ourselves what messages we CHOOSE to adhere to.
Valerie
FunLifestyleFitness.com
As much as I understand that some companies would want to uphold an image ...If it there is no contractual agreement upfront, one should not be fired for gaining weight. Besides, I don't think Cassandra's appearance will turn customers away. Also, lots of companies offer free gym membership and without putting a stipulation on employee's appearances.
Disclaimer: I'm a high fashion model who is a voracious reader re: womens' issues...
Hmmm. I think that she shouldn't be shocked that they have appearance requirements, because that's pretty much assumed with the job. I don't think they did her a favor, though, because health comes in a range of weights and sizes. Telling a healthy woman that she's fat, bad, inferior, etc. because she's not a size 2 is ridiculous. But...she should know that, if she wants to work at Hooters, there's a Hooter's aesthetic that she must adhere to.
I came upon this b/c the gym to which I belong(Crunch) had this Pinto guy on a Facebook post. I'm embarassed that I belong to a gym that has ANY affiliation with this guy. After reading his "expert" advice on nutrition (dude, PLEASE get a clue!), and now this, I'm seriously considering writing a letter to Crunch requesting they not provide him any more publicity. What an idiot! Even the Eason person he "interviewed" doesn't seem to support his uninformed opinion. How about getting an education before spewing ignorance on the internet under ths guise of "expertise"?!
I think they the judge should go by the weight charts at doctors office, if she is in the right range for a female her size, the womens right groups should picket these places until they put them out of business. Take pictures of the people going in there and post them on the internet. I wouldnt be caught dead in a place like that.
she is ugly not fat but damn ugly
Well Stefan with an F, she does have a case to take to court. She weighed more at hiring than when she was asked to lose weight or leave. Secondly, maybe you missed it, but the on the news an over 300lb. employee of Hooters said he had no comment. He also represents Hooters. So, not only did they set themselves up for weight discrimination but also for discrimination based on being female. Good old boy double standards as usual.
Really Cassie? The pictures were taken a day apart? How did you gain 20 pounds overnight? Not that you're too heavy now but at least admit you've gained weight. If you are going to work at Hooters, you need to know they will want you to uphold their riduculous image of what a woman should look like. Even the recruiting guy asks why any self respecting woman would work there. I'm sorry but the pic on the right does not look like you are a healthy weight. You do not look like you are 5'8" and 132 lbs....sorry.
She looks like a healthy, good looking woman. That said, the company should be allowed to run their business as they see fit.
Run Cassie Run...and I don't mean in the sense of exercise. I mean go work for an employer that values you for you, not value you for a tight ass and nice rack.
I live near the Hooters where Cassie worked. I have been there many times. I do not know her personaly but have seen her many times. She is NOT fat or over weight. She may not be a skinny crack addict. She is a very good looking girl. I wouldn't turn down a date with her ever. Also would like to note that I was just at that Hooters 2 days ago and there were at least 2 other girls that were over weight compared to Cassie. I believe there is more to this then people might know.
P.S.
Te gay boy that wrote this artical should not be judging womans looks when he is not attarcted to woman at all. Any REAL man would not kick Cassie out of their bed.
I'm not perfect. I'm not the smartest man alive. I don't have the best eyesight.
If those two pictures are taken one day apart, the lady on the left is in a fatsuit for her interview. Not an f-ing chance. The neck on the right is the same size as the girl on the left. And I don't mean because it's zoomed in.
I'm not perfect. I'm not the smartest man alive. I don't have the best eyesight.
If those two pictures are taken one day apart, the lady on the left is in a fatsuit for her interview. Not an f-ing chance. The neck on the right is the same size as the girl on the left. And I don't mean because it's zoomed in.
What's wrong with a fat chick ? They also keep you warm at night !
I think she is a beautiful healthy girl that should take advantage of the gym membership that was offered. Hooters girls do have an image they should uphold. Plus think of the healthy benefits from the fitness training she will receive.
First of all get your facts straight,the before and after pics are incorrect they are both after pics and second of all she is nowhere close to being overweight.A company has no right to make up a weight issue if they have an agenda to fire someone,rather than humiliate her at her workplace saying she is overweight and letting the employees and customers know she is on weight probation!!That is wrong wrong wrong!!!There is more to this story than some girl being sue happy.
Tell the boss of Hooters to eat a dick.
moooooo
This article is a lie. The picture on the right is WHEN she was hired, at 5 8 and 145 pounds. The picture on the left is after she was fired for weight discrimination, at 5 foot 8 and 132 pounds. I wish my wife weighed 132 pounds...
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