Healthy Living

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Anorexic guy sues Rachael Ray show for discrimination

A former accountant for the Rachael Ray show is suing for one meeeeellion dollars, stating that he was fired after complaining to supervisors that he was suffering from discrimination and a hostile working environment. According to NBC, the offensive comments included "Anorexics are sick in the head" and "Anorexics should not be able to work." Aaron Ferguson reportedly explained to his supervisor and the management that he was suffering from anorexia but the comments did not stop and eventually, he was fired.

Work is such a hotbed of weirdness. Some people have a difficult time maintaining professionalism, resorting to childish power games and weird social dynamics. I've quit a job with no back-up plan, just because my coworkers had gotten so hostile, resorting to scapegoating and actually lying so that I would have to do hours of additional, meaningless work so that they could watch me and laugh. Even in my current workplace, I've overheard statements such as, "Isn't that just like a man?" and watched as coworkers actively plotted against other coworkers. And I've also tried to remain as placid and unemotional as possible when others made comments about my weight or made it a point of telling me all about their sister's weight-loss surgery, all the while implying that I really should get myself a good surgeon. While it seems ridiculous that a supervisor would make such obnoxious statements, I fully believe that Aaron Ferguson was suffering from some asinine comments. Whether he actually gets awarded any money or not, perhaps it will give that manager and supervisor pause the next time they open their mouths.

I wonder if Mr. Ferguson isn't suffering from another form of discrimination as well. Would his situation been taken more seriously if he had been a woman?

MORE FROM ELASTIC WAIST AND SELF:

[photo credit: Frederick M. Brown/Stringer/Getty Images]
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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 37
  • D's Avatar
    Posted by D Wed Jul 9, 2008 2:38pm PDT

    Sorry but this a rather funny story and I love me some Rachael Ray!

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  • Vee's Avatar
    Posted by Vee Wed Jul 9, 2008 3:17pm PDT

    People are weird and judgemental all the time with everyone and forget their manners. It's sad when people resort to ill comments and negative words simply because they choose to be funny and not respectful.

    D 31, you're showing your true colors and lack of education and self respect when you demonstrate that you can't respect others.

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  • 's Avatar
    Posted by Wed Jul 9, 2008 5:28pm PDT

    i agree this guy has the right to get something, i mean, anorexia is a very very sensitive subject, often something the person has a very hard time keeping under control. but did anyone else notice that rachel ray has a minimal, if any, role in this, except her name is in every headline for this news article?

    click away.

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  • 's Avatar
    Posted by Wed Jul 9, 2008 6:10pm PDT

    Well, but since anorexia IS a mental disorder, the comments about being "sick in the head", are not completely wrong, even though it certainly isn´t a nice way of saying it. I am sorry the anorexic guy was fired from his job, on the other hand I can imagine it must be hard to work with someone who has the mindset of an anorexic person.

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  • lipstickchick's Avatar
    Posted by lipstickchick Wed Jul 9, 2008 7:08pm PDT

    I agree with Lara.

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  • Liz's Avatar
    Posted by Liz Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:18am PDT

    1st time poster here....my brother has been struggling with an eating disorder for over ten years now. Everyone I've ever told looks at me with amazement and didn't know men get them too. 4% of all people with ED's are men...it's absolutely a real, true, terrible, thing.

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  • yada yada's Avatar
    Posted by yada yada Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:33pm PDT

    Good observation 'ztporlier'...Rachel Ray clearly had nothing to do with this (are there actually EDITORS on Shine? serious question) and yet they splashed an enormous photo of her with the pretext of ' former employee says the Queen of Over-Perkiness made offensive comments about people with eating disorders. What's up with that?' Elastic Waist, I'm a fan of yours but that seems unfair, don't you think?

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  • Marie S. yourdawn2's Avatar
    Posted by Marie S. yourdawn2 Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:45pm PDT

    I`am not a van of Rachael Ray.But a work place should be just that, a place of work.Not some were you go to talk about and make fun of other coworkers.And if someone has this disorder.Maybe their not mature an should not be in the work place

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  • skinnychic7's Avatar
    Posted by skinnychic7 Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:14pm PDT

    Anorexia as well as other eating disorders are a very real illness and should be handled with care. Quick harsh comments such as "sick in the head" are insensitive and hurtful. I however really like Rachael Ray and I don't believe that she would intentionally be harsh. I believe that she could have been more tactful and thoughtful with her comments.

    The more appropriate approach would have been...to pull the person to the side and say something like " I am a little concerned about your eating habits, is everything okay." If they say they are okay, then don't bother them about it.

    Just my opinion.

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  • Marie S. yourdawn2's Avatar
    Posted by Marie S. yourdawn2 Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:16pm PDT

    I`am not a van of Rachael Ray.But a work place should be just that, a place of work.Not some were you go to talk about and make fun of other coworkers.And if someone has this disorder.Maybe their not mature an should not be in the work place

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Comments 1-10 of 37

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