Can taking weight-loss drugs help you get hired? Yes, if you're a woman.
Going on GLP-1 drugs significantly boosted unemployed women's chances of finding a job, according to a Harvard economist.
New research suggests that weight-loss drugs, specifically GLP-1 medications, could potentially boost the employment prospects of unemployed women, particularly those who are overweight or obese. Harvard economist Rebecca Diamond found that women who began taking these drugs saw a 27 percentage point increase in employment after 18 months, compared to those who used the drugs but did not yet see results.
The study, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, adds to existing research highlighting the so-called "obesity penalty" that disproportionately affects heavier women. These women tend to earn less, are less likely to marry or live with a partner, and often face discrimination in the labor market. Previous data indicated that obese women are more likely to be rejected during job interviews and earn less than their thinner counterparts.
Diamond's research reveals that employment gains from using GLP-1 drugs accumulate as job candidates lose weight, with most of the employment gains occurring among unemployed women who found jobs. However, the study also indicates that already employed women who start taking GLP-1s do not see a boost at work. This suggests that the obesity penalty is most impactful during the job interview process and less significant once someone is in the workplace.
While the findings suggest that GLP-1 usage can influence economic and social outcomes for women, there is no evidence that the drugs help already employed women advance in their careers through raises or promotions. Diamond also notes that access to these drugs may be unequal, as early adopters tend to be disproportionately financially advantaged.
She argues that if weight loss through medical treatments changes how women are treated in the labor market, unequal access to these drugs could shape who can avoid the social and economic penalties associated with body size.
The study raises ethical questions about using medical treatments as a potential remedy for discrimination. According to Diamond, obese women already face discrimination in the labor market, earning less money and receiving fewer callbacks after first interviews than their lighter peers. GLP-1s provide an opportunity for heavier women to slim down, potentially altering the reality they face in the job market.
By the end of 2024, 6% of U.S. women had started using a GLP-1 for weight loss, with higher uptake among women with a history of obesity.
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