European court rules obesity can be disability

LONDON — The European Court of Justice says obesity can be a disability, a ruling that could have consequences for employers across the continent.

The court ruled today (Dec 18) in the case of a Danish child-minder who says he was unfairly fired for being fat.

The court said if obesity hinders “full and effective participation in professional life”, it could count as a disability. Discrimination on the grounds of disability is illegal under European Union law.

Mr Karsten Kaltoft worked as a child-minder for 15 years for the Municipality of Billund in Denmark, before he was dismissed in 2010.

Mr Kaltoft, who weighed 159kg, says he was fired for being obese, a claim his employer contests.

The court says it was for Danish courts to decide whether Mr Kaltoft’s obesity constituted a disability. AP