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Fat workers should be allowed to turn up late and be protected under discrimination law, a leading employment specialist has said.

The plan could see obese office workers miss the rush hour commute, demand an extra large chair or even work from home.

A UK government advisor will propose changes at the European Congress on Obesity in Vienna as new research shows Brits are among most fat-ist in Europe.

Prof Stephen Bevan has advised the Department of Work and Pensions and is a member of Public Health England’s advisory board.

He will tell 2,000 medics that obesity should be classed as a “protected characteristic” allowing staff to sue fat shaming bosses.

(Image: PA)

Prof Bevan, head of HR research at the Institute for Employment Studies, said: “We need to coordinate our efforts so that people who want to work can do so.

“It can be working time, it can be having a bit of understanding that someone might need to turn up at 10am because they have trouble with transport or anxiety about transport.

“Many employers get away with whatever they want.”

Prof Bevan will present a systematic review of research in to obesity workplace discrimination.

It included a major study on “weight stigma” in the NHS .

Another study found one in five Brits said they would object to an obese person marrying in to their family.

(Image: Getty)

A third study by the European Association for the Study of Obesity found more than half of UK doctors thought overweight patients lacked willpower.

One in three said they were too lazy to keep weight off.

Prof Bevan added: “Some people say that obesity is the last characteristic that its still socially acceptable to make fun of .

“We have a scheme in the UK called Access to Work which not many employers know about.

“If you are an individual living with a health condition or an impairment you can get support, paid for by the Government to make accommodations.

“It could be transport or it could be working from home.”

(Image: Getty)

Another study surveyed 90,573 people in nine countries and found only 47% of Brits believe food addiction is a reasonable explanation. This was lowest other than the US and Germany.

Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute for Economic Affairs, said: “This is a ludicrous idea that will only create resentment against obese people if it were implemented.

“Being fat is not a disability and the majority of people get to work by car so it is difficult to see why obese people should be given an extra hour to arrive.

“If obese people are to be given special privileges, should we not also give special privileges to smokers, alcoholics and compulsive gamblers?

“Where does it end?”