European court rules obesity can be disability

Source: AP-Excite

LONDON (AP) — The European Court of Justice says obesity can be a disability, a ruling that could have consequences for employers across the continent.

The court ruled Thursday in the case of a Danish child-minder who says he was unfairly fired for being fat.

The court said if obesity hinders "full and effective participation in professional life," it could count as a disability. Discrimination on the grounds of disability is illegal under European Union law.

Karsten Kaltoft worked as a child-minder for 15 years for the Municipality of Billund in Denmark, before he was dismissed in 2010.

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