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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?
I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/greencapt/hansolovsindy.jpg
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i'd have to say that yeah if a manager is dressing very 'slutty' i have less respect for them and write them off as a stupid woman

~* you know you love me... xoxo *~

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It's a perception thing--when someone is really attractive human jealousy tends to make us think less of them in other areas to lessen the blows to our ego, or, if the opposite sex, to make them seem less imposing.

On the otherhand, there are some jobs where 'sexy attire' probably wouldn't be appropriate. *coughsundayschoolteachercough*

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What say you about all this ladies & gentlemen?

I say I'd like to help that Harvard librarian get a job. We've been done a person for several months here at the library where I work. Anyone know if she's single??

But seriously, I don't know what I think. I think I'd have to actually be IN the position of knowing the person before I could judge.
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yeah i dont knwo if quite agree with that article. it all depends on how dressed up ther person is. yes skin tight stuff is bad, but some of the guildlines in that article are a little stern, like one inch from skin to cloth, that seems to me to be a bit baggy. as for the lose of respect, sometimes people just want to look good, and i see no problem in that, i know lots of really smart people that dress up. but everything in moderation, you can only dress down so much, and hten you start getting into a position where your looked at as shabby. but honestly for a person to judge intellegence jsut on that is very narrow-minded you need to hear how they speak first. thats my personal criteria for first impression intellegence, is how you speak.
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I'm amazed sometimes that anything is considered too much in our society.
I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/greencapt/hansolovsindy.jpg
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Well, somethings should be considered too much, but being too pretty to be intelligent isn't one of them.

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I don't need the distraction at work. I have enough distraction in my life as it is.

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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But a woman shoudln't be penalized or punished for being attractive. Of course there is a time and a place NOT to dress provocatively, but one shoudl never be held back for just being pretty.

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Originally posted by: Darth Chaltab
But a woman shoudln't be penalized or punished for being attractive. Of course there is a time and a place NOT to dress provocatively, but one shoudl never be held back for just being pretty.


And here I thought it was the ugly ones who got penalized/punished...
I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/greencapt/hansolovsindy.jpg
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No. WE get penalized for being forced to see the ugly ones in provocative clothing.


MY EYES! MY EYES! THEY'RE BURNING!

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.