Here's a new response from a post dated October 8, 2008 :
It's great to see that other women of a more diminuitive stature are beginning to speak out.
I have just lost my job because of my height!I have been working for an international airline for the past 11 years. I was a Cabin Crew manager. Recently there was a departmental restructure whereby we would have to reapply for our positions. In addition we would be required to fly once or twice a month as extra crew to carry out assessments.After I had applied and been given an interview date I was told that I needed to do a height test - I came in at 6millimetres below 5ft 2 so my interview was cancelled and I am now unemployed.
Although I appreciate that there has to be a height limit because of reaching the hat racks - however I asked if I could take a reach test on the basis that who is to say that my reach isn't the same as someone who is just 5ft2? Furthermore I would not be operating as Crew - this was not granted because there is no law to protect smaller people in the workplace. if I had been just 5ft 2 and a size 22 then that would have been fine (although being such a size would not facilitate an easy evacuation from the aircraft!!) because there is legislation regarding weight. Just because it is not law doesn't mean it's not discrimination.And yes it is soooo difficult to get the same clothes as the taller women have access to as most petite ranges are awful but it's fine if you are large!!!!!!
Note to original poster: I don't know what jurisdiction you live in, but height discrimination is against the Ontario Human Rights Code (not sure if there's a rule in other parts of Canada). If you're in Michigan, you might have a discrimination case as well.
What do you think of this issue, readers?
