A Canadian is sharing her experience having an Emirates job offer rescinded after she revealed something personal to the airline…
In this post:
Canadian has Emirates job offer rescinded after health questionnaire
25-year-old Madison Kvaltin took to TikTok to share her experience applying for a job with Emirates. She was recently crowned Miss Universe Canada, and had applied to be cabin crew with Emirates. The Dubai-based airline hires staff from around the globe, and she had received a conditional job offer. In one of the final steps prior to moving to Dubai, she had to complete a health questionnaire.
This included answering a series of “extremely detailed and intrusive” questions about her health. In this health questionnaire, she revealed that years earlier, she had been hospitalized with an eating disorder. Fortunately she’s better now, and has used her experience to educate and empower other women about eating disorders. According to Kvaltin:
“I wasn’t about to lie on this health document, with my socials I talk about it all the time. So I indicate on the form that I did struggle with an eating disorder, and I am recovered and well.”
After completing this health questionnaire, Kvaltin says she received an email from the company saying she “didn’t meet the precondition requirements.” In response to this, Kvaltin says the following:
“I am disgusted that they are discriminating against me for struggling with an eating disorder that has nothing to do with completing the job of being a flight attendant. I don’t understand why they would even ask an intrusive question like that.”
While we can’t know for sure that the hospitalization from the eating disorder was the reason she was rejected, everything points to that.
You can watch the roughly three minute TikTok for yourself here.
My take on this Emirates cabin crew rejection
First and foremost, I commend Kvaltin for working through her eating disorder, and using her struggles to try to help other women dealing with the same challenge. Also, it’s good that she was honest with the airline, since she’s otherwise quite public about this on social media. That’s not to say the airline would have necessarily connected the dots, or done anything about it, but I still think honesty is the best policy.
Do I think that overcoming an eating disorder should be a reason to be rejected from a job at an airline? Of course not. But I also think that Kvaltin probably dodged a bullet here by not getting a job at a Middle Eastern carrier.
Look, many foreigners enjoy living in the UAE, and with a few limitations, you can live a pretty free and fun life there. I know plenty of people who voluntarily live and work in the UAE (not due to lack of opportunities in other countries), and are happy with it. Like everywhere, there are pros and cons, but many people like how the UAE is incredibly safe, how it has warm weather, how it has low taxes, etc.
I see people commenting on this TikTok asking questions like “is that even legal?” I think that’s where there’s a bit of misunderstanding about life in the Gulf countries. When you live in the UAE, it’s almost like being a guest. If the country decides it doesn’t like your behavior or something about you, you can be deported, or your employment can be taken away. That’s a risk you assume by moving there.
Emirates doesn’t have labor unions, and the company can unilaterally decide to end peoples’ employment. For example, when cabin crew get hired they have a probation period, and their contract can be terminated for any reason during this. In this case, my guess is that the company just rejects people who have been hospitalized for any condition that could be chronic, and that this is what triggered the decision.
To be clear, I’m not in any way saying I agree with this policy, but keep in mind the UAE has a lot of laws that would be considered objectionable from a western standpoint. I mean, the country won’t issue residency visas to anyone with HIV, and the country has even arrested travelers who had trace amounts of marijuana in their system that was legally consumed in another country.
I think the phrase “not all that glitters is gold” comes to mind. Kvaltin is from Canada, so presumably has pretty good income potential there. I assume she applied for a job at Emirates because she wanted to travel, and to be able to present a pretty glamorous lifestyle on social media, as we see so many Emirates cabin crew do. But that doesn’t come without some questionable policies that those of us from more progressive countries might take issue with.
Bottom line
A 25-year-old Canadian woman wanted to be cabin crew with Emirates, but claims to have been rejected after disclosing that she had been hospitalized for an eating disorder in the past. She has tried to use her platform to empower other women in similar situations, and was also honest with the airline about this.
As you’d expect, she’s disgusted by the rejection. While I agree with her that this shouldn’t prevent her from getting a job at Emirates, this rejection is probably in her best interest in the long run.
What do you make of this Emirates rejection story?
She didn’t do the homework on the employer. Someone clue her on human rights violations. Not a smart girl.
Foreign carriers have standards. They aim for perfection. Flying on an American carrier one quickly concludes that standards have eroded. Rankings of worlds’s best airlines find not one American carrier. Not everyone thinks like Americans or Canadians
A past eating disorder, one that is in this day perfectly treatable with great outcomes for life, is considered a subpar standard? Emirates actions are egregious, cruel, and completely misguided as to facts. As well sets a horrid standard for these (mostly) young women who know have to assume that there is now a stigma on them for the rest of their lives.
As you stated, we can only assume that this is the reason she was rejected. We do not have a definitive answer and the truth is the airline is free to hire whoever they want. How many of us have been rejected for a job with no reason even given. The US government gives tentative offers all the time subject to security clearances. I can guarantee that they will never tell you why you are subsequently rejected. This is really a non-story
She was conditionally hired. Upon submitting her medical forms listing a past eating disorder she was informed she no longer was conditionally hired. Math is not hard.
Agree with both points. First that other countries have different hiring laws. Second that she received a job offer of which the status was then changed which is different than being declined.
Emirates is a very well run Airline. She was honest in her application and so was the Airline in its rejection. Why demonise a fine Airline. Move on , Air Canada could probably offer something.
Unfortunately she has lost that opportunity but I’m sure another will open up and she will find the job of her dreams . The Middle East is unique in that they can hire and fire without any problems , the lists are never ending so they just pick and choose .. and reject
I feel sorry for her and trust she can move on from this
She should put a sock in it. The culture could retaliate. They are well known for human rights violations.
Although the money grabbing LIV tour conveniently left that important detail out for $$$.
Have you googled images of Madison Kvaltin? Holy cow! Emirates should hire her.
I just did. Holy cow!
To add to their human rights violations?
I think the most important think I have learned from reading this blog is that most people who fly First and Business class are entitled, selfish, ignorant idiots. This comment section, along with comment sections on labor disputes or other employee disputes readily show it.
Totally agree. I read this blog because I used to work for an airline, and now I travel a lot. Reading the comments let's me know that, for the most part, I am correct in not talking to my fellow seat mates.
Somewhere along the line I was allowed to follow this one FA's twitter feed and lets just say she has some issues. Certainly drinks more than she should and some other issues people might wonder about but she is still employed and I assume does her job satisfactory.
Some companies certainly are concerned about things like health insurance (not even sure if Emerites provides that) and may be worried about someone taking time off.
...Somewhere along the line I was allowed to follow this one FA's twitter feed and lets just say she has some issues. Certainly drinks more than she should and some other issues people might wonder about but she is still employed and I assume does her job satisfactory.
Some companies certainly are concerned about things like health insurance (not even sure if Emerites provides that) and may be worried about someone taking time off.
I would agree with Ben in that not getting a job with a company like this is probably the best thing for her although I think Emerites reasoning is wrong.
I'm just surprised at how many people apply for these low paying jobs. One person told me decades ago that some women apply for FAs jobs on BA to try and get routes to Mideastern countries and find someone wealthy to marry. I thought it strange but it doesn't shock me.
I'm not sure what is the surprise here for the applicant. Did she expect some kind bill of rights from an autocratic country?
She should apply to Air Canada where this type of discrimination is not allowed. Right but then it wouldn't be as "glamorous" as flying for Emirates.
Emirates has hundreds, if not thousands of applicants for each and every cabin crew job opening. I think they have the luxury of being highly selective about whom they hire. I do not oppose their decision because having flight attendants with a history of psychological and psychiatric conditions does represent a potential liability.
That said, I do respect this Canadian beauty queen and I would encourage her to apply for jobs elsewhere as a...
Emirates has hundreds, if not thousands of applicants for each and every cabin crew job opening. I think they have the luxury of being highly selective about whom they hire. I do not oppose their decision because having flight attendants with a history of psychological and psychiatric conditions does represent a potential liability.
That said, I do respect this Canadian beauty queen and I would encourage her to apply for jobs elsewhere as a flight attendant. One rejection need not represent the death knell of her career plans.
Emirates received 100s of thousands of job application every year. The chance of getting hired is low anyways. Having a history of eating disorders does not mean they have to hire you just to prove that they don’t discriminate against people with prior medical conditions. Get over it.
But they did hire her. That's the point. So, in fact, they rescinded the hiring due to ED, which is absurd. As is your comment.
Read it AGAIN.
It was a "conditional" job offer. That 8s not the same as a firm job offer.
You owe Mike an apology
I'll get right on that, lol. After you understand and acknowledge what a conditional hiring is and a recinding of it after she disclosed the simple fact that she once had an eating disorder.
Do you have ANY evidence, other than her word, it was rescinded due to that?
ANY?
Many, starting with the fact that you are so triggered about it in defending Emirates.
Some rather disgusting comments here. And we all know that the tone of the people defending Emirates would change the second they had to deal with an eating disorder themselves.
Fix your hollow lives - the pretense of your comments isn't fooling anybody.
Fix your face.
How childish Alonzo. You should be embarrassed.
Oh no, Emirates didn't grovel at Miss Canada's feet?! How dare they! Do they not know who she is?!
And do they not know she experienced a mental/psychiatric episode in dealing with an eating disorder?!
If being Miss Canada doesn't entitle her to special treatment, then surely her eating disorder must!
Emirates will certainly not be getting any of my business ever again! The audacity!
She had received a job offer. It was then rescinded because of the Eating Disorder. That is vastly different than not being hired and then complaining it was because of those factors without basis.
She received an initial offer, pending further job screening. Upon further screening the offer was rescinded. We have no idea why the offer was rescinded; it could be due to the health form, but it could also be due to screening of her social media accounts, or other information she provided. We are simply guessing it was due to her mental illness, as is she.
Nope, it was a "conditional" job offer. Not a firm offer.
Rescinded after she disclosed she had in the past an eating disorder. Apparently you are either HR for Emirates or really naive.
Look...get over it! Its the Emirates, and if they say no is no, then it's NO NO NO. They will be paying her insurance, etc...and they want a healthy person. They have every right to reject her. Their rules are their rules. Why didn't she apply with Air Canada? Maybe they rejected her too? Get over it sister.
Those recovered from eating disorders are very healthy. Many became doctors, therapists, pilots, Olympic athletes, mothers, actors, singers, and lawyers. You would be very surprised to learn of people you respect that have suffered with this disease during their lives, as most went on to become incredible people with perhaps more empathy and understanding of struggle than you might ever have.
Really ? Pilots ?
Yes. I know of two actually. Do you actually think ED's are so uncommon? Do you also know how many pilots are also recovered alcoholics? Welcome to life 101.
As the father of a teen age daughter who suffered for two years with an eating disorder during 2021-2022, the ignorance I am reading in the comments below is shocking. As is Emirates decision. This is far beyond cruel and is completely without merit or justification. Or any scientific basis.
The pain we suffered for those two years, the agony of watching your daughter nearly die at the hands of what many believe is a...
As the father of a teen age daughter who suffered for two years with an eating disorder during 2021-2022, the ignorance I am reading in the comments below is shocking. As is Emirates decision. This is far beyond cruel and is completely without merit or justification. Or any scientific basis.
The pain we suffered for those two years, the agony of watching your daughter nearly die at the hands of what many believe is a genetic propensity that is triggered (in her case Covid lockdowns, schools on zoom only, and the targeting of youth on social media) was nothing anyone should experience. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. For my daughter, the pain and difficulty of that time is something no intelligent, social, and fantastic teen girl should ever have to live through. But she made it through, after two years of hospitalizations, recovery centers, and continued therapy today. Thankfully, now, she is a vibrant young lady, athletic, and entirely placed in AP classes. She has reached the point of being considered recovered and thriving.
With that, To punish someone for something that is completely out of their control. Further, for something that all data (including those who worked at META and testified as such) is that WE caused it. Sure, the latest research is that the propensity for ED is wired into many people. However, until social media and these companies allowing targeted and false ads/posts that they knew were creating an epidemic (ED is now up 80% the past four years) it was not nearly the epidemic it is today. Our society created it, and now society wants to banish them because of it?
Our daughter nearly died. Many others are not so lucky. She fought valiantly to be better. We spent nearly all of our emergency funds saved over the years to assure she got the best care as we fought Insurance companies tooth and nail for what we could get. She made it through. She is a survivor and, in many ways, more mature and centered in life compared to others. She knows what it is to fight through something where others do not. I believe in fact she is far more prepared now for life's struggles than most. Though, I assure you, not the way any of us would have chosen to achieve that.
The comments below, by Manits and Vinay are disgusting, misinformed, and lack any concept of understanding one single thing about this disease. Yes, it's a disease. To Mantis, who of us wants to put her into a protected class? She wants nothing to do with promoting herself as a survivor or expecting more because of what she went through. All she expects and deserves is not to be judged for it or excluded because she went through it. How is that protected? As an example, though scoring off the charts in testing and at the top of her classes in her previous school (even while battling ED and missing many months for two years) she was denied admission to her dream private school because they found out from the previous that she had struggled with ED. Yes, it is legal, it's a private school, but disgusting behavior and she was devastated...the message being to her at the time, after all she went through, that she was not offered the same opportunity as others because she suffered and won against an awful disease.
To Vinay, how dare you. Until you see your daughter on feeding tubes in a hospital and close to death, how dare you talk about a disease you clearly know nothing about and compare it to things that have absolutely no relation. I would say it's you that clearly needs psychiatric assistance. And soon.
Sadly, after the incident with the private school that rebuked her, and reading of this about Emirates, the discussions I had with my daughter were clearly correct. We decided that in the future she should never mention this on applications for colleges, work, etc. She is a realist now in knowing that the world is ignorant and Mantis' and Vinay's are everywhere making decisions on something they know nothing about.
I am sorry, but there are many circumstances outside our control which make one unfit for certain jobs. Being denied a job because of such a condition is not punishment.
And yes, I may be very callous, but I don’t want people with mental health issues in a position, where they can put passenger lives at risk. Remember the Germanwings crash in the alps? Pilot with mental issues crashed the plane, killing 150 people, 149 of them innocent. Better safe than sorry.
@Michael.
Respectively, I am going to ask you to stop speaking of something you know nothing about. Eating disorders have absolutely no relation to suicidal ideation or, on most levels, even depression (which is why no medications work). Nor was this hire with Emirates a pilot, she was a flight attendant for crying out loud.
Do some have multiple issues besides ED? Of course! Some Cancer patients do as well! But there is no...
@Michael.
Respectively, I am going to ask you to stop speaking of something you know nothing about. Eating disorders have absolutely no relation to suicidal ideation or, on most levels, even depression (which is why no medications work). Nor was this hire with Emirates a pilot, she was a flight attendant for crying out loud.
Do some have multiple issues besides ED? Of course! Some Cancer patients do as well! But there is no direct comparison or connection.
The irony with this disease is that these girls (and some boys) very much WANT to live. As did my daughter. They just struggle with an overwhelming and not rational (to us) idea of their bodies. It is nothing more. Every one of the kids I met, including my daughter, are otherwise kind, intelligent, empathetic and fantastic people. As are the parents.
I am not going to give you a multi-level Ted Talk to help you learn more, you can read that yourself elsewhere if you really care and want to avoid posting comments relating this somehow to being suicidal or psychotic. And I hope you will as well apologize for it, given it's these kind of assumptions that create the environment for these girls that you saw with Emirates.
My daughter struggled terribly, went to recovery (we had to wait 2 months for a spot to open as ED has been so out of control since Covid), came home and was doing well for almost a year. Yes, she did relapse a second time (as is common soon after) but recognized the signs right away, had the coping skills in place, and went the next time to an outpatient center for a few weeks and since is absolutely fine (almost two years), the top student in her class level in High School, active in a number of sports, and a competing figure skater. The important takeaway here is that once the first ED is dealt with, these girls are much better at coping skills and learn to recognize and get help right away for what they know is taking place. They are probably more aware of themselves and understanding of when to get help than any other teen age kids out there.
Though ED is still without medications to help (again, disproving any absurd relation to this being about suicide etc) it has grown leaps and bounds with effective therapy and regimented food coaching. It is highly treatable for most. And these kids absolutely want to live. Further, given so many are very bright like my daughter, have a life ahead of them to contribute greatly to society, both socially and at work, with far more empathy than most.
Antwerp, this issue is obviously far too personal for you to see it objectively.
Objectively, we don't actually know why her offer was rescinded, there may have been multiple red flags. She is attempting to frame it a certain way, but that doesn't mean her side of the story is accurate.
Finally, consider that a private employer is free to follow whatever policies they like for hiring, so long as they aren't discriminatory. If Emirates...
Antwerp, this issue is obviously far too personal for you to see it objectively.
Objectively, we don't actually know why her offer was rescinded, there may have been multiple red flags. She is attempting to frame it a certain way, but that doesn't mean her side of the story is accurate.
Finally, consider that a private employer is free to follow whatever policies they like for hiring, so long as they aren't discriminatory. If Emirates does follow a policy where they screen out cabin crew with chronic medical issues, and we don't even know that they do, that is their permissible right.
I say this as someone who nearly lost his own sister to anorexia.
Yes, it is very personal to me. Given that I have far more experience seeing both the horror of it first hand, as well the great advances in recovery for most of the girls today. It is not a disease of 20 years ago hidden away because no one knew what to do. Most of these girls, bright and full of life, go on now to live fantastic lives, unless we stigmatize them and send...
Yes, it is very personal to me. Given that I have far more experience seeing both the horror of it first hand, as well the great advances in recovery for most of the girls today. It is not a disease of 20 years ago hidden away because no one knew what to do. Most of these girls, bright and full of life, go on now to live fantastic lives, unless we stigmatize them and send the message that, "You are not welcome in the world of employment."
I'm really very sorry for your you and your family. I can only wonder if this was some years ago. If so it was a different disease back then in treatments and recovery. Especially now, with epidemic numbers occurring with ED since Covid and social media targeting of young women, there is a rush to accept more this awful disease from the dark corners, improve treatments further, and stop the stigmas placed on these kids later in life.
Even in the US, you really think having an eating disorder makes you a protected class, and thus unfirable? Sounds quite narcissistic. Have a quart of ice cream, it will make you feel better.
Rude much?
Tell us you’re an asshole without telling us you’re an asshole.
Sadly she might not find this to be her only rejection. Certain jobs require a potential employee to be bondable. Having a psychiatric hospitalization might be cause for denial. The insurance company might look back at how long ago this occurred. As she is only 25 she might not yet have cleared that time frame. Same applies for a security clearance. ( and we do not know precisely why she was rejected). Hopefully she remains healthy and time will resolve it.
This woman is healthy. Recovered Eating Disorder patients are quite healthy, adjusted, and do just fine. In fact, are probably more adjusted in adulthood than most adults. Do they have relapses later in life? Yes, but most are shortly after the first treatment. I would imagine this girl had it in her teens, like my daughter, and if so she might occasionally recognize some warning signs in herself that she is well trained in handling...
This woman is healthy. Recovered Eating Disorder patients are quite healthy, adjusted, and do just fine. In fact, are probably more adjusted in adulthood than most adults. Do they have relapses later in life? Yes, but most are shortly after the first treatment. I would imagine this girl had it in her teens, like my daughter, and if so she might occasionally recognize some warning signs in herself that she is well trained in handling as a 25 y/o. The odds are overwhelmingly high that she will be just fine through the remainder of her life.
Also, very few ED patients, unless so severe and mixed with other psychiatric disorders, go to a psychiatric hospital. Most are shortly hospitalized in a general medical setting so as to restore vitals and weight until they can go to a recovery center. Recovery centers for ED might be, for lack of a better comparison, similar to a treatment center. They are often large homes for 12-20 girls where they live for two months or so while receiving daily food coaching and therapy. They are not anything remotely related to a psychiatric hospital. As well, there are many good out patient recovery centers (my daughter went to one when she released shortly after) that also are highly successful.
Antwerp I am glad your child is in recovery. Please reread my comment. It relates how bonding companies process risk management. They get to decide when an individual is sufficiently recovered to accept the potential liability. It could be 5, 10 or more years, depending on their policies, not mine, and not the actual employer.
Again, continued recovery is the issue, and that is best outcome for all. All the best to your family.
It was more to address your characterization of ED patients being in psychiatric hospitals. Very few ever reach that point in fact. Most are in short term recovery centers, some even as out patients, with a very high success rate of treatment.
Antwerp, you must realize it is a psychiatric diagnosis at this time. (read your take on this) There may be (serious) physical complications from the disorder from which one can recover. The disorder itself is quite different. It requires a great deal of medical support and psychiatric support. I hope you participate in the recovery process.
As to the TicToc, I would hope she can use her platform to address any changes in public...
Antwerp, you must realize it is a psychiatric diagnosis at this time. (read your take on this) There may be (serious) physical complications from the disorder from which one can recover. The disorder itself is quite different. It requires a great deal of medical support and psychiatric support. I hope you participate in the recovery process.
As to the TicToc, I would hope she can use her platform to address any changes in public understanding. Again all the best forward.
@Maryland. You honestly do not have to explain it to me. I lived it for two years and, yes, was "participating" in her recovery. Still watching and supporting her constantly. In fact, as a result, I know more about this disease than most anyone would ever want to.
I realize the psychiatric aspects of it. However, as I said, few reach the level of needing deep psychiatric care in a psychiatric hospital. Most flourish and...
@Maryland. You honestly do not have to explain it to me. I lived it for two years and, yes, was "participating" in her recovery. Still watching and supporting her constantly. In fact, as a result, I know more about this disease than most anyone would ever want to.
I realize the psychiatric aspects of it. However, as I said, few reach the level of needing deep psychiatric care in a psychiatric hospital. Most flourish and recover in recovery centers with therapy and regimented food coaching at its core.
Honestly, your perceptions of it are what scares so many people. Yes, it's awful when it's happening, and it seems as if your daughter has been lost. But it is absolutely treatable, with the majority experiencing full recovery. If you are older, you probably still remember decades ago when it was completely a mystery, no one knew what to do or how to treat, but in the past 20 years amazing inroads have been made and the recoveries are becoming much more successful.
As to hospitalization for the medical aspect, understand that like my daughter, the majority of the time it happens because of the waiting time to enter into a recovery center. I waited two months for a space and this was on a waiting list at 30 centers across the country. That's how epidemic it has become (thanks covid and social media). The difficulty is that as you wait her vitals and weight start moving down to a point that they won't accept her. So you have to keep her stabilized at a certain point so that she can...that's where the medical hospital comes into play. They can restore weight and get her vitals back to a number that she can get it. It's all a waiting game, and working to keep her physical state to a point she can get in. Once into a recovery center, these people are amazing at what they do, and her improvement was rapid.
Again, I am trying to dispel the myth that you think of Anorexia as resulting in dark psychiatric institutions where you have people locked in rooms for years. That is just not the case for 98% of them. And I imagine for the small percentage that do require this the issues are far more than just ED.
To help people understand, I compare ED's to alcoholism to those who wish to learn more or imagine incorrectly. Instead of addicted to alcohol they become addicted to not eating and body consciousness. Just like alcoholism there is no magic pill, it's just old fashioned therapy, some out patient, some recovery. And it works for most. Dispelling the myths of this being a scar on these girls forever is a life's work for me. I do this for my daughter so that she never experiences what this woman at Emirates does.
Where's the evidence? If they didn't hire her specifically for that, it's just to prevent a possible lawsuit when she is hired. Clearly not mentally fit.
Not mentally fit? Thanks doc for your psychological assessment of a stranger
You're welcome. Bitch.
Its amazing such an ugly person could say that... you wouldnt either by fit for nasty looking...
Try correct grammer when you try to come for someone. Donkey.
“Try correct grammer…”
(Grammar)
You write that foreigners live in the UAE with few restrictions - tell that to the thousands of workers from work in intolerable conditions. To love the UAE requires ‘looking the other way’ in most instances.
I'm sure the local labor force from middle of nowhere Subcontinent-ville loves the fact that they're continuously employed and able to remit something back to their families. Better than being unemployed and a drain on your family as the only non-contributing male of the family. You need to change your western mindset. People don't work here because they want to, they work here because their lives, and family's lives, depend on it at all costs....
I'm sure the local labor force from middle of nowhere Subcontinent-ville loves the fact that they're continuously employed and able to remit something back to their families. Better than being unemployed and a drain on your family as the only non-contributing male of the family. You need to change your western mindset. People don't work here because they want to, they work here because their lives, and family's lives, depend on it at all costs. Dubai is the gold standard for them, so I'm sure they're just fine with the squalor conditions
Are we pretending there aren't workers endeavoring in intolerable conditions throughout the world? You'd be surprised what the migrant workers toiling in the agricultural sectors of places like the US and UK live like.
Good move by emirates. No reason to hire anyone with a significant psychiatric history. Same rules should apply to transgender applicants as well. Gender dysphoria is a legitimate psychiatric condition and these patients have a high risk of suicidal and homicidal ideation.
What else ? Jews blacks and Indians ? You’re clearly quite ignorant.
If someone believes they are Jewish, black, or Indian, but in reality are not...then yes, them too. If accepting reality is ignorant, then sign me up.
No one mentioned trans, but you decided to go there. Trans people who are allowed to live their lives are fine. If there’s a higher risk of suicide it’s because they are prevented from doing so and discrimination. You know what a great way to increase a group’s feeling of depression is. Being banned from working simply because of who they are.
@Vinay - what a horrible thing to post. And to bring trans people into this discussion is so hurtful for no reason. The fact that three people found your comment "helpful" is equally distressing. The lack of compassion in your flippant post shows what an angry and hateful person you are.
I pray for you to find love, feel empathy and honor everyone's struggle... even as I type this, I pray for you to...
@Vinay - what a horrible thing to post. And to bring trans people into this discussion is so hurtful for no reason. The fact that three people found your comment "helpful" is equally distressing. The lack of compassion in your flippant post shows what an angry and hateful person you are.
I pray for you to find love, feel empathy and honor everyone's struggle... even as I type this, I pray for you to find peace with your own troubled life. Push yourself to do better, be better... be the person that makes positive change in this world.
I also pray you don't have children. Because without a doubt they would be scarred and hurt by you.
Ignorant response by Vinay... how he goes from an eating to transgender people shows who he really is... I am sure he is a perfect person and looks down on anyone not as worthy as himself. No doubt a bully, always looking for someone to look down upon and make inappropriate comments... No doubt a wonderful human being... NOT
@Vinay - what a pathetic excuse for a human being you are. This is a courageous and honest young lady you are writing about. Are you empty of empathy? I would say that you are suffering from a serious psychiatric disorder that includes psychopathy. This lady should apply to Qatar Airways; head of airline al Baker should personally invite her as a comeuppance to Qatar's main rival.
@Indo I personally love this idea. Brilliant. Great solution and a slap in the face to Emirates as to more awareness, not wokeness, awareness. And I hope she and Qatar would throw the shade on EK tin the process. Best idea ever.
I'm quite sure that she was rejected due to her eating disorder.
In order to be employed as a crew member in commercial aviation, one has to be medically fit for the position. Current and previous psychiatric disorders are evaluated, as well as physical disorders. An eating disorder is a psychiatric disorder, and in this case the disorder has been so serious that hospitalization at one point was deemed necessary.
At least according to...
I'm quite sure that she was rejected due to her eating disorder.
In order to be employed as a crew member in commercial aviation, one has to be medically fit for the position. Current and previous psychiatric disorders are evaluated, as well as physical disorders. An eating disorder is a psychiatric disorder, and in this case the disorder has been so serious that hospitalization at one point was deemed necessary.
At least according to EU regulations, an applicant with a significant psychiatric disorder in the medical history will have to be evaluated by a specialist in order to be found medically fit for the job as a crew member. I presume that UAE regulations are the same. Emirates might have a stricter internal policy, and the inherent irregularity of the job of a flight attendant, constantly disturbing eating habits and sleep pattern does not appear to be ideal for a person with a history of an eating disorder.
Thus a very understandable rejection, and not due to discrimination, but on justifiable medical basis.
See my previous comments. It’s prohibited by employers to ask questions related to physical and mental health within the U.K. as well as the EU and also the USA under the ADA.
Very true, she would,have a case, had this been an American carrier. SOL under Emirati law though.
You are so incorrect it's hilarious. That's like saying a company is forced to hire a quadruple amputee as a sneaker model.... Or an Uber eats driver being rejected due to alcoholism.
@blazer. Wow, Good for you in exposing yourself completely. This is why I love blogs that don't delete messages that are so insensitive and idiotic as to be dangerous. To compare an eating disorder, which is completely treatable and where most all recover to an amputee as a sneaker model? Astounding. I say this with all sincerity, you need help. Please seek out some support for yourself. And for the good of society.
@blazer I say not delete as it's better that people learn who and what you are. Clearly, an animal at best.
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental disabilities and requires that employers provide reasonable accommodations to workers with disabilities who can perform their essential job functions. However, the ADA also states that an employer is not required to hire or keep an individual with a psychiatric disability if it poses a direct threat to his or her safety or the safety of others.
@Mikey
How does she pose a threat? Explain to me? She is completely recovered. As are the vast majority of these girls who battled it during their teen years. Are you saying that someone who had cancer in their teens, recovered, and been fine for some years later should be excluded from a flight attendant job as it impedes on safety? This is absolutely absurd. And implying that a past battle with an eating...
@Mikey
How does she pose a threat? Explain to me? She is completely recovered. As are the vast majority of these girls who battled it during their teen years. Are you saying that someone who had cancer in their teens, recovered, and been fine for some years later should be excluded from a flight attendant job as it impedes on safety? This is absolutely absurd. And implying that a past battle with an eating disorder is somehow related to safety as a flight attendant may be the most asinine thing I have ever heard. These perceptions are exactly what creates false stigmas to the point that these kids now must not only recover but are faced with a lifetime of discriminatory practices for no reason.
As far as I know, people with eating disorders are at higher risk of relapse or recurrence, especially people who suffer from Anorexia Nervosa who in most cases require hospitalization in cases of relapse. It's possible Emirates just doesn't want to deal with this issue since it's considered a psychological disorder that will require constant medical treatment.
Your facts are only partially correct. A higher percentage than we would like do relapse, but usually within 6-12 months after the initial discharge from a recovery center. Often, as in my daughter's case, they simply need an out patient setting the second time for a few weeks so as to reinforce many of the tools they have been given. Given that most of the cases affect teenage girls, by the time they exit college...
Your facts are only partially correct. A higher percentage than we would like do relapse, but usually within 6-12 months after the initial discharge from a recovery center. Often, as in my daughter's case, they simply need an out patient setting the second time for a few weeks so as to reinforce many of the tools they have been given. Given that most of the cases affect teenage girls, by the time they exit college they are doing very well, more than adjusted, and have an arsenal of excellent coping skills ingrained in them. Can some relapse later again in life? Of course, but it's not a majority, and the recovery process is often much faster and with less intrusive methods as when they were younger.
"but many people like how the UAE is incredibly safe, how it has warm weather, how it has low taxes, etc." ... Ben, I find it amusing how you mix-up Dubai with Miami! The weather in Dubai can be quite unbearable and rather hellish in the summer...
She just assumes the rejection was based on an eating disorder or perhaps she wasn’t qualified ? Did she provide evidence to support this ?
At least in the U.K. it’s prohibited for an employer to ask or an employee to divulge any physical or mental characteristics. It’s voluntary if you feel it may affect your abilities to perform a job. This also applies to pregnancy.
If you apply for a job with emirates...
She just assumes the rejection was based on an eating disorder or perhaps she wasn’t qualified ? Did she provide evidence to support this ?
At least in the U.K. it’s prohibited for an employer to ask or an employee to divulge any physical or mental characteristics. It’s voluntary if you feel it may affect your abilities to perform a job. This also applies to pregnancy.
If you apply for a job with emirates in the U.K. they can’t ask. Whereas in the UAE I guess they can ask anything including lgbtq they won’t employ you.
She received a questionnaire on her health, as the job she was conditionally offered, was offered on the condition that she got her health clearance. After filling in the questionnaire truthfully, as she is legally obliged to do, she was rejected on medical grounds. This would also be legal in the UK as it is in the EU and in Norway. The , questionnaire would not be evaluated by the recruiter or the HR people,...
She received a questionnaire on her health, as the job she was conditionally offered, was offered on the condition that she got her health clearance. After filling in the questionnaire truthfully, as she is legally obliged to do, she was rejected on medical grounds. This would also be legal in the UK as it is in the EU and in Norway. The , questionnaire would not be evaluated by the recruiter or the HR people, but by a medical professional who evaluates the medical fitness of the candidate.
How little you know.
It is absolutely illegal in the U.K. as it’s discrimination. In the USA it’s the same under the ADA.
Employers are absolutely prohibited from asking these questions. If they do they can be prosecuted.
I attend courses about this frequently as part of my work.
I think we are talking past each other. You are discussing the fact that Emirates as an employer apparently are the ones asking about the health, I am discussing the probable medical reason she was rejected.
AFAIK all jurisdictions have rules for medical certification for cabin crew. In the UK this is - as in Norway - done by independent medical examiners, but according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority homepage, airlines are allowed to...
I think we are talking past each other. You are discussing the fact that Emirates as an employer apparently are the ones asking about the health, I am discussing the probable medical reason she was rejected.
AFAIK all jurisdictions have rules for medical certification for cabin crew. In the UK this is - as in Norway - done by independent medical examiners, but according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority homepage, airlines are allowed to do medical examinations of crews in house, just as Emirates does:
"Note: Some employers may also require cabin crew to have an assessment by their occupational health department or provider. You should always check whether a medical assessment is being carried out for the purposes of the UK Part-MED requirements, under the employer’s occupational health requirements, or both."
Also the crew member is obliged to give a copy of the medical report to the employer:
"Following a medical examination or assessment, the crew member will be issued with a Medical Report. The crew member must sign the report and provide a copy to their employer. "
https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-industry/airlines/cabin-crew/medical-requirements/medical-requirements-for-cabin-crew/
@KSU
What you say may be true on a broad level. There is certainly a need for basic health examinations to assure that flight crews do not pose a risk to passengers and aircraft. As well to disqualify some who have a history of, say, seizures, as an example.
However, I would imagine that many have past health incidents that are deemed perfectly acceptable. An eating disorder should be one of them. There...
@KSU
What you say may be true on a broad level. There is certainly a need for basic health examinations to assure that flight crews do not pose a risk to passengers and aircraft. As well to disqualify some who have a history of, say, seizures, as an example.
However, I would imagine that many have past health incidents that are deemed perfectly acceptable. An eating disorder should be one of them. There is absolutely no justifiable reason any airline should claim that a past eating disorder is somehow putting a plane or passengers at risk. It's complete ignorance to the disease.
And do not come back with telling me all you DON'T know about eating disorders. I know more than any man should ever want to. It is an absurdity to refuse her hire on that basis. Could they have called her in to talk to her more about it? Sure. Could they have asked an ED therapist to assess her? Sure. But to just refuse her employment after hiring her on this basis is just awful.
@Antwerp
You and your daughter have my full sympathy, and I am very glad to hear that she has recovered well!
I do not think that this is the place for an extended discussion about eating disorders as such. However, I would just like to note that the health requirements for cabin crew appear to be just as strict for a number of other disorders as well, including physical disorders, but also "neurotic disorders"....
@Antwerp
You and your daughter have my full sympathy, and I am very glad to hear that she has recovered well!
I do not think that this is the place for an extended discussion about eating disorders as such. However, I would just like to note that the health requirements for cabin crew appear to be just as strict for a number of other disorders as well, including physical disorders, but also "neurotic disorders". and ADHD.
Even though Emirates (and other ME airlines) might be stricter than others, it is not just the airlines that have "absolutely no justifiable reason". The health regulations are set by the civil aviation authorities.
@KSU
I appreciate your words. She is doing Wonderfull now and almost two years fully apart from this disease. She is quite fantastic in fact!
As to the other, I do not see where ADHD is a restriction to hiring a flight attendant as long as it is maintained via a non-stimulant medication. I have read that adderall, as an example, is approved. They may need to go through a secondary evaluation, that I can...
@KSU
I appreciate your words. She is doing Wonderfull now and almost two years fully apart from this disease. She is quite fantastic in fact!
As to the other, I do not see where ADHD is a restriction to hiring a flight attendant as long as it is maintained via a non-stimulant medication. I have read that adderall, as an example, is approved. They may need to go through a secondary evaluation, that I can understand, but there are no restrictions to hiring or employment. Neurotic disorders is a pretty broad term, I am sure that it depends completely on what specifically and how it is managed.
Keep in mind, ED has exceptional recovery rates now which have vastly improved the past two decades. Even the recovery centers are turning more to out patient systems as its proving to be as successful for many, especially with relapses shortly after the first (often far less in severity).
Lastly, there is no medication needed (which could affect performance to cabin crews) because there is no medication that works. So you don't have that as a medical criteria for anyone to be concerned about. They have tried every medication possible on patients over the years and only therapy and food regiment training will work. Although Ketamine treatments are starting to show positive and potential good results.
I assure you, there are many people in thousands of fields that you know, people you trust and respect, that once suffered from an eating disorder. Sadly it is more common than you think, but they are fully functioning professionals and perfectly fantastic at their jobs. Recovery is organic, recovery for the vast majority is solid, and none have any issues requiring anything other than just recognizing the signs should it return. They carry no physical issues or any reason at all for being of any safety risk as a flight attendant for example.
@Icarus, in the US, there are jobs that are exempt from adhering to the ADA rules if the disability prevents the applicants from performing their duties.
In regards to the US/ADA, after a conditional job offer has been made, an employer can require an applicant to take a medical examination, assuming every other applicant in that job category has to take the medical too. Depending on the results of the medical exam, the offer may be withdrawn. However, the employer would have to show that withdrawing the job offer was job-related and necessary for the conduct of the business, and that...
In regards to the US/ADA, after a conditional job offer has been made, an employer can require an applicant to take a medical examination, assuming every other applicant in that job category has to take the medical too. Depending on the results of the medical exam, the offer may be withdrawn. However, the employer would have to show that withdrawing the job offer was job-related and necessary for the conduct of the business, and that no reasonable accommodations could be made for the employee's disability. The EU and UK would have broadly similar rules.
Here's a link to an old version of the medical questionnaire, looking as expected. This is very similar to other medical questionnaires used for jobs where the applicants have to confirm to a certain medical standard to be employed.
In Norway the medical examination would not have been done in-house by the airline, but by a specially approved flight surgeon. I presume that would be the same in Britain, but the conclusion would probably...
Here's a link to an old version of the medical questionnaire, looking as expected. This is very similar to other medical questionnaires used for jobs where the applicants have to confirm to a certain medical standard to be employed.
In Norway the medical examination would not have been done in-house by the airline, but by a specially approved flight surgeon. I presume that would be the same in Britain, but the conclusion would probably still be the same.
https://www.docdroid.net/dtie/emirates-pre-employment-medical-examination-form-pdf#page=9
This claim this, but it is not true. Medical fitness including mental health of cabin crew is examined prior to employment in the west too. See below for reference, and please educate yourself before writing B.S.
https://www.caa.co.uk/aeromedical-examiners/medical-standards/cabin-crew/cabin-crew-medical-report/
Emirates hires lots of gay people. I used to work there and knew many.