Fitness firm targets 'larger employees'

Fitness First: Bigger employees could send out the wrong message

A fitness company with outlets across the UK has suggested its "larger employees" do not fit in with the firm's image.

In an e-mail, Lisa Somerville, Fitness First's human resources manager, hinted that bigger staff could have an impact on a firm that promotes weight loss.

However, following publication of the e-mail in the Daily Telegraph, the company says it does not discriminate against bigger people.

Fitness First says it will now send out a notice to its thousands of workers reassuring them that it welcomes employees of all sizes.

The initial e-mail was sent to regional managers at Fitness First, which says it is the UK's largest independent fitness chain, with nearly 150 outlets. It also has clubs abroad.

Larger uniforms

The human resources manager wrote: "Mike Balfour [chief executive] has asked me to remind you that uniforms should not be requested over a size 16 as this is adding considerable costs on to our merchandising budget as we have to bulk buy.

"Also, as we are a health club and promoting weight loss, please consider the impact of having larger employees (both men and women!).

"If, for existing staff, you need larger uniforms please consider other arrangements! We are not asking you to have a discriminatory recruitment policy but Mike has asked me to subtly make you aware of the situation!

"I have not sent this to all general managers as it could be seen or interpreted by employees the wrong way but please can you cascade as necessary on my behalf."

As we are a health club and promoting weight loss, please consider the impact of having larger employees

Lisa Somerville, Fitness First

Lisa Curtiss, a spokeswoman for Fitness First, admitted the e-mail had been sent, but said the contents had been misinterpreted.

"We are absolutely horrified. We do not discriminate against people of any size. People are employed on their merits," she said.

She added that the point of the e-mail was to remind managers that larger uniforms should be ordered individually from the firm's UK supplier to cut costs and not in bulk from the Far East.