Levels of obesity are rising across Europe

Obesity can constitute a disability in certain circumstances, the EU's highest court has ruled.

The European Court of Justice was asked to consider the case of a male childminder in Denmark who says he was sacked for being too fat.

The court said that if obesity could hinder "full and effective participation" at work then it could count as a disability.

The ruling is binding across the EU.

Judges said that obesity in itself was not a disability - but if a person had a long-term impairment because of their obesity, then they would be protected by disability legislation.

The case centres around childminder Karsten Kaltoft who weighs about 160kg (25 stone).

He brought a discrimination case against his employers of 15 years, Billund local authority, after he was sacked four years ago.

The authority said a fall in the number of children meant Mr Kaltoft was no longer required.

But Mr Kaltoft said he was dismissed because he was overweight.

'No problems'
Earlier this year, he told the BBC that reports that he was so fat he was unable to bend down to tie children's shoelaces were untrue.

Describing his work with children, he said: "I can sit on the floor and play with them, I have no problems like that.

"I don't see myself as disabled. It's not OK just to fire a person because they're fat, if they're doing their job properly."

The Danish courts asked the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to clarify whether obesity was a disability.

The ECJ ruled that if the obesity of the worker "hinders the full and effective participation of that person in professional life on an equal basis with other workers", then obesity can fall within the concept of "disability".

Rulings from the European Court of Justice are binding for all EU member nations.

The courts in Denmark will now have to assess Mr Kaltoft's weight to see if his case can be classed as a disability.

Quote from: Kinder der Mörder on December 18, 2014, 11:57:52 AM

This is taking nationalism to a whole different level. It's like Nazi Germany all over again

I really don't see how you can compare the modern US to Nazi Germany.

This isn't some organized movement, this is just the state of the American mind and our culture.

For better or worse, and whether you want to call it a "civil religion", or a tradition, or whatever, this is us.

Think about how we treat 9/11 conspiracy theorists like religions treat heretics and blasphemers.

Can't wait to be able to buy some sweet Cuban cigars

Quote from: Kinder der Mörder on December 18, 2014, 09:05:00 AM

Quote from: True Turquoise on December 18, 2014, 09:03:56 AM

Quote from: Kinder der Mörder on December 18, 2014, 09:03:21 AM

Quote from: Snow Digger on December 18, 2014, 09:02:23 AM

Quote from: True Turquoise on December 18, 2014, 09:00:35 AM

>Kinder right now

it's a metaphor for fighting off the urge to consume grossly large amounts of pie

I don't like pie really

I only like Cherry

My dad makes a fantastic sweet potato pie for Thanksgibing and Christmas

thought you didn't like pie

Quote from: True Turquoise on December 18, 2014, 09:00:35 AM

>Kinder right now

it's a metaphor for fighting off the urge to consume grossly large amounts of pie

did your cake get stolen

Favourite has to go to the heights of the colonial era.
Not just because of muh 25% of the world is britbong, but because it's actually quite the fascinating period. You have all kinds of shit going on in the world, from the napoleonic wars to the boer war. The british raj was also very interesting >.>

Least interesting goes to the fucking Tudors because we did them about 9 times in history over the course of my school years.