New York City bans discrimination based on weight and height

The New York City Council has passed a local law to prohibit discrimination based on a person’s weight or height in employment, housing and public accommodations. The law is awaiting the signature of Mayor Eric Adams (D).

The law has limited exemptions. Employers who are required by a federal, state, or local law or regulations to consider height or weight are exempted. Another exemption applies in situations where the NYC Commission on Human Rights allows consideration of height or weight because they may prevent an individual from performing the essential functions of the job and no alternative is available. Finally, there is an exemption for cases in which height or weight requirements are reasonably necessary for the normal operation of the business.