Taking obesity into account : Why it pays to nudge employees into losing weight

Purpose – Considers the implications of the latest European Court of Justice ruling that obesity can be considered a disability. Design/methodology/approach – Examines the background to the ruling and its possible consequences. Findings – Emphasizes that obesity in itself is not a disability. However, following the ruling, it is clear that obesity could be considered a disability if it caused physical, mental or psychological problems that hampered a person’s ability to participate in work. Practical implications – Highlights practices employers might like to follow in the light of the ruling. Social implications – Shows how society as a whole could “nudge” people into losing weight, just as it has done in nudging people to give up smoking. Originality/value – Provides round-up of the implications of the European Court of Justice ruling on obesity at work.