[Lord Aquaman]

Found this at MSN -

Are You Too Sexy For Your Job?


By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor

Warning: Too much cleavage can be hazardous to your career.... and there's science to prove it.

Dressing sexy can have negative affects at work especially the higher you climb on the ladder, according to a recent University of Lawrence study led by professor Peter Glick.

The study found that risqué dress on the job is viewed as inappropriate for those in all positions. Managers who dressed provocatively, however, were perceived less intelligent and less competent, while those in lower level positions (like receptionists) were not. The study also suggests that women who wear racy clothing are perceived as using their sexuality to advance professionally.

"Although various media directed toward women... encourage women to emphasize their sex appeal, our results suggest that women in high-status occupations may have to resist this siren call to obtain the respect of their co-workers," Glick concludes.

So what can happen if you dress provocatively at work? This past year we saw two high-profile cases involving women who were deemed too sexy for their jobs.

Harvard librarian Desiree Goodwin, who holds two advanced degrees from Cornell University, charged that she was passed over for promotion 16 times because of her attire and physical attractiveness. Goodwin claimed the jobs she sought were given to women with less experience and education and that a supervisor told her she was perceived as a "pretty girl" who wore "sexy outfits."

Meanwhile, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, Caterina Bonci, a Roman Catholic religion teacher, said she was fired from her job at a state-run school for being too sexy. (The school principal said both parents and teachers complained about her high hemlines and ample décolletage.)

"In the 14 years I had this job, I have always been attacked by my female colleagues and the rest of the staff because of my attractiveness," Bonci told the Italian media.

"And if you consider that at our parent-teacher meetings it was always the fathers who came to see me, one can see why I have so often been at the center of attention and a target of gossip."

Bonci failed to win her job back; Goodwin not only lost her civil case, but also received a bill for Harvard's legal costs.

Fair or not, courts around the country are upholding employers' rights to ban "sexy" dressing in the workplace. Just how do the courts define "sexy?" According to Eric Matusewitch, deputy director of the New York City Equal Employment Practices Commission, the courts consider "sexy" attire to be clothing that is particularly revealing and of extreme fit, as well as excessive use of makeup.

To those who argue that this discriminates against women, Matusewitch replies, "The code applies equally to both sexes. So, if employers require men to dress conservatively, they can require women to avoid tight, flashy and revealing outfits as well."

With the current "skin is in" fashions and the media full of images that suggest provocative dress is acceptable -- even desirable -- in the workplace, how can you make sure you don't cross the line? Here are some guidelines:

Skirts: Too little is too much. Skirt lengths should be no more than one hand-width above the knee.

Tops: Make sure there is at least one-inch of room between body and fabric and that it is long enough to conceal your midriff. Stomach, breasts, back and shoulders should be covered. Fabric should not be overly sheer and a bra should be worn (with no straps revealed).

Dresses: No halter tops or cleavage-baring necklines. Avoid overly snug fits. Again, hemlines should hit no more than one hand-width above the knee.

Pants: Shun overly tight or hip-hugger pants that expose the midriff. Stick with neutral colors.

Shoes: Heels should be no higher than two inches; toe should be closed. Avoid strappy styles, bright colors and patterns.

Hair: Keep your hair sleek and off your face. Avoid the teased, over-processed look.

Makeup: Keep it clean and natural. Avoid heavy eyeliner or evening lipsticks.

"If you flaunt your figure in a professional setting, colleagues and clients may question your judgment or make unflattering assumptions about your character," warns Susan Roane, lecturer, author and business etiquette expert. "Clothing and appearance are visual shorthand. The point is to be noticed for your business skills, not your short skirts or push-up bra.

"If you want a job, dress the part. If you want to show off your body... well, that's what your free time is for."


Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.


What say you about all this ladies & gentlemen?

[Jordan]

I think looking professional is important. I agree that minimum standards should be met. If you're working in the office of a company or firm, you should try present it as being professional and reliable. The standard calls for a smart and humble dress code. This image is important for doing business, people for 1000's of years just can't take some one serious in super sexy or super flambouyant. Even very low key street wear kind of says "I don't really care".

I don't care what that article says, I've yet to see provocative and sexy. There was this lady at the registrar of my school, she had a mini skirt on, I could see the crouch of her panties as she stooped back in her seat to grap me an application. I took a peak and she totally realized what she had done, she quickly pulled down her skirt and shuffled back to a normal position.

I felt really akward.

This post has been edited by Jordan: 14 February 2006 - 02:07 PM

[Slade]

Well, you were oogling her crotch...

I'm all for professional dress attire, but dressing slighly professionally shouldn't ruin all of your chances for a promotion, and simply being attractive is even worse. It's rather shallow to think "Oh, she's hot. That must be the only reason she's ahead in life. That's a high school mentality, complete with the gossip." And there's lots of old and ugly receptionists that never move up, so what's the deal with that?

And it's the opposite way for men. I used to wear really low necklines, miniskirts, and no underwear all the time and I kept getting promotions for jobs I didn't even do!

Edit: Fixed botched pseudo-html.

This post has been edited by Slade: 14 February 2006 - 11:08 PM

[barend]

"In the 14 years I had this job, I have always been attacked by my female colleagues and the rest of the staff because of my attractiveness," Bonci told the Italian media.


...oh fuck off!


if there's anything i won't have... it's attractive people complaining that life is too hard for them...

[Jordan]

Ya good call.

[Jordan]

I WAS NOT staring at her crotch. It was practically shoved in front of my line of sight. There was nothing I could do but give in and stare back. I'm only human.

This post has been edited by Jordan: 15 February 2006 - 07:24 PM

[Slade]

I'm human too, and I don't stare... I'd probably glance and then look away. And probably not be too happy about what I'd seen.

[Lord Aquaman]

When it comes to sex appeal, I'm amazed sometimes that any of us Americans consider anything too sexy, or that there's even an envelope to still push in this country.

[barend]

i'm not human... i would have stared...

[Mirithorn]

Sometimes people seem to wear clothing just because there is so little of it. At some point, it stops being even mildly attractive looking and just looks odd. For example, sweatshirts cut off right below the arms.

[barend]

miniskirts, bust enhancing tops, low cut womens tops, etc.

are designed to induce staring... girls that wear these tops have to understand that they have no control over who is going to look or not.

so i say, stare away... if someone's putting out there, that's what it's for... and you shouldn't feel even slightly awkward about it...

if they give you a dirty look, shrug it off...

"i'm sorry george clooney isn't here to stare at your tits, but a billboard's a billboard!"

[Dr Lecter]

Yeah, I know girls that wear next to nothing, phrases written all over the little clothes they are wearing and they wonder why you read them and stare at their barely covered parts.

[Sailor Abbey]

Isnt getting stared at the reason you wear skimpy stuff like that in the first place. Its not cool to tease and then bitch about getting a reaction.

[Jordan]

Thank you Abbey. If you don't want people to notice your clevage, butt, or croutch, then don't advertise it.

[Slade]

I concur, though with your case, Jordan, it was partially the fault of the clothing and partially the position. She wanted people going farther up her legs, but not too much farther, I guess.

My guess is that those girls who bitch when they wear revealing clothing and are stared at aren't wondering, they just don't want to admit that they want the attention.