'Borgata Babes' Told to Starve Or Lose Job?

[Bonnie]

'Borgata babes' policy attracts rights inquiry
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
BY JUDY DeHAVEN

When they heard about the exclusive lounge, free access to the spa, the uniforms created by one of the country's hottest designers, women from all over wanted to be cocktail waitresses at Borgata -- so-called "Borgata babes."

Back in the summer of 2003, when the Atlantic City casino opened, they came to the audition looking their best. And for those who got the job, it seemed for a time to be awfully glamorous. They were cast as the new Playboy Bunnies.

They eventually became a household name -- but for the wrong reasons. The "Borgata babes" grabbed national attention earlier this year when the casino imposed new weight standards: The girls -- and in A.C., even the waitresses call themselves "girls" -- can get fired if they gain too much weight.

Borgata officials say the policy is necessary because the "babes" are important to their brand, and thus are expected to maintain a certain image. Competitors groused that Borgata did it only to attract media attention, making sure the entire country knew that the best-looking girls were at Borgata.

But a number of Borgata babes say the policy is simply humiliating. The union that represents the waitresses says it's discrimination. And the state Division of Civil Rights has launched an investigation into the matter, two sources with knowledge of the probe said.

The waitresses said that since the policy went into effect, a "babe" can't have mayo on her sandwich or fries on the side without unofficial diet cops asking if she really needs it. Gamblers and dealers have started a new game: guess a "babe's" weight.

"It's gotten so that you're freaked out by everything," one waitress said. "You're constantly checking your reflection in the mirror."

The waitresses spoke on the condition of anonymity because Borgata forbids them from discussing the weight policy. Those who did speak said they feared retribution if they gave their names.

The union that represents the servers, Local 54 of UNITE HERE, has filed a grievance and is considering other legal options, its president, Bob McDevitt, said. The case has been sent to arbitration.

Meanwhile, the first of what is expected to be a series of complaints from Borgata babes was filed last week with the stateDivision of Civil Rights, according to two sources with knowledge of the probe.

One of the sources said state Attorney General Peter Harvey, whose office oversees the division, personally asked the agency to investigate. An official with the division declined comment.

Cassie Fireman, Borgata's vice president of talent, said the policy is fair and legal. The babes "are the brand and the image and the ambassadors for Borgata," she said, likening them to the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

But waitresses said the policy reverses hard-earned rights, such as being able to wear flats when their feet get tired and pants when motherhood makes skirts unforgiving. If Borgata is successful, they worry other casinos will follow.

"The policy sets women back 25 years," McDevitt said.

Already it has had a ripple effect. Local 54 has filed a grievance against Caesars, charging the casino tried to get around union rules by hiring a separate -- and supposedly younger and sexier -- staff for its Toga bar.

At Harrah's new Xhibition bar, a move to clothe male bartenders in black Speedo-type outfits backfired when the men didn't have the best bodies for the costumes. After a few days, they were given pants to wear. The female bartenders, however, still wear shiny backless tops and short skirts.

"They're trying to turn us back into sex kittens," said Silvia Hegedus, 42, a Showboat waitress who has carried the tray for 18 years. "We're cats now. The kitten is gone. But I run circles around those little girls."

Unlike other states, New Jersey's anti-discrimination law does not explicitly cover a person's weight. But Bill Josem, Local 54's lawyer, said he is concerned Borgata's policy could affect people as they age. And a source familiar with the Division of Civil Rights investigation said that is one area the agency is looking at.

Under Borgata's policy, employees were weighed in February to establish a baseline weight; all new "babes" will be weighed when hired. Those who gain more than 7 percent of their body weight will be put on a 90-day leave. Borgata will offer a personal trainer and nutritionist, but if servers can't lose the weight, they will be fired. Pregnant servers get 90 days to get back in shape after their maternity leave.

Waitresses said they thought the casinos were finished with such policies. Years ago, some casinos imposed weigh-ins and weight restrictions. It wasn't unusual for applicants to model in swimsuits. But the women fought back and won.

"We stood there and gave them a hard time," said Cindy Armstrong, a Harrah's server for 25 years. "It's gotten so that the supervisors didn't want to be bothered."

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http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-9/111449415718580.xml#continue


A couple of things stand out about this story at least to me and I d like you opinons. First of all online you can't see pictures of some of the so called babes, the ones that are considered perfect, but if you saw their faces you would be shocked out of your shoes.

The question I have is this: Is your definition of the perfect woman one who is actually a size 00, with a mousey face, or is your ideal woman more of an actual woman with an actual figure and a pretty face? In other words the article implies that the standard for perfection at the Borgata is 00 and very average face but a woman that is maybe a size 2- to a size 10 with a normal womanly shape and pretty face doesn't make the cut????
And I have been to this casino a few times so I know what Im talking about.

 

[freeandfun1]

When you take a job promoting itself as a job for a glamorous woman, then you should expect that they are going to maintain some kind of standard on appearance.

 

[Bonnie]

When you take a job promoting itself as a job for a glamorous woman, then you should expect that they are going to maintain some kind of standard on appearance.

Free I can tell you these woman are dogs, and I have been a size 00 and I am only 5'4 but I looke like a concentration camp victim. Models in Victoria Secret are a size 2 at least.

 

[Mr. P]

The question I have is this: Is your definition of the perfect woman one who is actually a size 00, with a mousey face, or is your ideal woman more of an actual woman with an actual figure and a pretty face? In other words the article implies that the standard for perfection at the Borgata is 00 and very average face but a woman that is maybe a size 2- to a size 10 with a normal womanly shape and pretty face doesn't make the cut????

Well, first of all I wouldn't be going to a casino to shop for
the perfect women. Second, I could care less what they have to say
about what a perfect woman looks like.

Third...I think they should be able to hire an fire whatever "look" they choose.

 

[Trigg]

Free I can tell you these woman are dogs, and I have been a size 00 and I am only 5'4 but I looke like a concentration camp victim. Models in Victoria Secret are a size 2 at least.

If the only women they get to apply for the positions are skinny/ugly soon they'll have to change there standards or be happy with the few skinny/cute ones that apply also.

I feel they should be able to hire anyone they want, the women know what the hiring requirments are when they start the job, they had a choice at that time to either take the job or look somewhere else.

Many men don't like the sick Lara Flynn Boyle look thank goodness, most of us can't maintain that and we don't look good like that anyway. It's certainly not my idea of pretty.

 

[dmp]

o re: this story...

The Hotel has a right to hire an 'image'. It's within that right they dictate latitude towards achieving the image they want.


o re: Women...

My idea of a beautiful woman...get ready for what reads like a cop-out.

All depends. I am attracted mostly to shorter, thinner (than what is the [quotey-fingers]'Norm'[/quotey-fingers])women...say, shorter than 5'6"...thinner than 115-120lbs. Women taller than that don't seem to 'light my fire' so to speak...much heavier and It's hard for me to feel like they can 'cuddle into' me.

Having said that....I can find beauty in many places. My step-brother's wife is a model. I'd guess she's a size 12 at least. She's stunning. Here are a few of her photos:

http://www.plusmodels.com/barbara/sorriso.jpg
http://www.judgmentofparis.com/images/BB01.jpg
http://www.judgmentofparis.com/images/BB37.jpg

She's easily the most beautiful woman I've ever met. She's classy and graceful and down-to-earth. Would I date a woman, a little larger than what I find 'attractive' physically? Absolutely. To me, 'who' a woman is can go a long way to define how attractive to me she is.

 

[dmp]

Oh...and here's mary in the borgata

Mary in the Borgata with my good pal, TurboMark

 

[5stringJeff]

I find many different types of women attractive. My wife is thin and tall, but I have dated many shorter women (read: 5'2" and shorter); some with large chests, some without; some thin, some larger, some in between; some darker, some lighter. I think you have to look at a woman as a "total package" and not limit yourself to a particular hair color, or bust size, or height.

 

[Bonnie]

If the only women they get to apply for the positions are skinny/ugly soon they'll have to change there standards or be happy with the few skinny/cute ones that apply also.

I feel they should be able to hire anyone they want, the women know what the hiring requirments are when they start the job, they had a choice at that time to either take the job or look somewhere else.

Many men don't like the sick Lara Flynn Boyle look thank goodness, most of us can't maintain that and we don't look good like that anyway. It's certainly not my idea of pretty.

True they should be able to hire anyone they want... Im more curious as to what you think of their definition of "perfection" does that jive with your opinion or is that out of sink with common perceptions??

 

[Bonnie]

I find many different types of women attractive. My wife is thin and tall, but I have dated many shorter women (read: 5'2" and shorter); some with large chests, some without; some thin, some larger, some in between; some darker, some lighter. I think you have to look at a woman as a "total package" and not limit yourself to a particular hair color, or bust size, or height.

That's kind of what I was thinking but maybe im crazy??

 

[5stringJeff]

That's kind of what I was thinking but maybe im crazy??

Well then we're both crazy!

 

[Bonnie]

Darin when did you go to the Borgata???

 

[manu1959]

True they should be able to hire anyone they want... Im more curious as to what you think of their definition of "perfection" does that jive with your opinion or is that out of sink with common perceptions??

maybe the owner of the casino is a concentration camp surviovor and likes that skeleton look

 

[manu1959]

Well then we're both crazy!

my wife is hot and it has nothing to do with how she looks


oh and i am with you all in the crazy department

 

[dmp]

This lady has to be VERY close to Perfection:

 

[Bonnie]

Well, first of all I wouldn't be going to a casino to shop for
the perfect women. Second, I could care less what they have to say
about what a perfect woman looks like.

Third...I think they should be able to hire an fire whatever "look" they choose.

I always thought casinos were in the business of selling gambling and or poverty? Sure the atmoshpere goes along with that, nice furnishings, music, good food, attractive women giving out drinks so no one has to leave the tables etc..

 

[dmp]

Darin when did you go to the Borgata???

We were there last february...John was supposed to meet us in AC...but family issues prevented it...I posted up in the Chat forum before our trip!

 

[manu1959]

these girls are hot...........you must be joking

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/18/national/main674879.shtml

 

[Bonnie]

This lady has to be VERY close to Perfection:

Oh Darin your sweet but that's not good!!

 

[manu1959]

Oh Darin your sweet but that's not good!!

i agree the other picture is better