Do looks matter in the work place?

Blondie

~*~*~*~<br><font color=blue>This TF always enjoys
Joined
Aug 18, 1999
Messages
17,306
Studies show attractive students get more attention and higher evaluations from their teachers, good-looking patients get more personalized care from their doctors, and handsome criminals receive lighter sentences than less attractive convicts. But how much do looks matter at work?

The ugly truth, according to economics professors Daniel Hamermesh of the University of Texas and Jeff Biddle of Michigan State University, is that plain people earn 5 to 10 percent less than people of average looks, who in turn earn 3 to 8 percent less than those deemed good-looking.

These findings concur with other research that shows the penalty for being homely exceeds the premium for beauty and that, across all occupations, the effects are greater for men than women.

A London Guildhall University survey of 11,000 33-year-olds found that unattractive men earned 15 percent less than those deemed attractive, while plain women earned 11 percent less than their prettier counterparts. In their report "Beauty, Productivity and Discrimination: Lawyers', Looks and Lucre," Hamermesh and Biddle found that the probability of a male attorney attaining early partnership directly correlates with how handsome he is.

Size matters, too. A study released last year by two professors at the University of Florida and the University of North Carolina found that tall people earn considerably more money throughout their careers than their shorter coworkers, with each inch adding about $789 a year in pay.

A survey of male graduates of the University of Pittsburgh found that the tallest students' average starting salary was 12 percent higher than their shorter colleagues'. The London Guildhall study showed that overweight women are more likely to be unemployed, and that those who are working earn on average five percent less than their trimmer peers.

According to Dr. Gordon Patzer, who has spent over three decades studying and writing about physical attractiveness, human beings are hard-wired to respond more favorably to attractive people. Even studies of babies show they will look more intently and longer at prettier faces.

"Good-looking men and women are generally judged to be more talented, kind, honest and intelligent than their less attractive counterparts," says Patzer. "Controlled studies show people go out of their way to help attractive people - of the same and opposite sex - because they want to be liked and accepted by good-looking people."


Article courtesy of MSN Career Builder
 
I'll tell you this. I once worked for a small market TV station in Reading, PA. I was an "engineer". Later I went back to apply for a sales person's job at that station.

The GM, who was the one who originally hired me, told me " I would hire you but can't". When I asked why, he said, "Because you're too fat".

I knew what he meant. People's perceptions influence evereything. I left, dejected.

Later I became angry and wondered if I could or should sue the TV station and the GM for descrimination. I didn't, but only becasue deep inside of me, I know he was at least partially correct! :sad2:

BTW, just as an aside, if I had sued the TV station, do you think I would have had a valid ( winning case )?
 
Thats an interesting article. I do think that looks matter in the work place, unfortunately. I guess thats why we all have to project some type of conventional image so we look competent, etc. It should be fun to see which direction this thread takes.
 
I used to work at a company that only hired good looking people. The owner hated looking at less than attractive female employees (he was very sexist...you don't even know the half of it). There was an intern he had fired. He called her the Bag Lady, so you can guess what she looked like. It's sad that some companies do this. :sad2:

ETA: I forgot to mention that we had someone confuse the company (which was collections/law) for an escort service once. :rotfl:
 

It happens. Most large companies do this very discreetly though.

There was a temp working here in the AP. She was overweight and had a cleft lip. She was also very nice and smart. A job opening came up in order entry but the GM wouldn't hire her. He admitted behind closed doors to other managers due to the way she looked. This really upset me and I lost what little respect I had left for the GM after that.
 
DisneyAddict_M said:
ETA: I forgot to mention that we had someone confuse the company (which was collections/law) for an escort service once. :rotfl:

That's hysterical! :rotfl:
 
As a person how has hired, I don't know that looks were a biggie with me. However, presentation is! If you come in "messy" that bothers me. You don't have to be beautiful to be clean/neat etc.

We used to have a woman who was held back in her job just because of the way she dressed. Her clothes were RATTY and we paid her a good salary and I knew she had plenty of cash. She "refused" to buy new clothes until "I lose weight" One small issue... she wasn't doing anything to lose the weight. To advance would have required interaction with others and we weren't going to let "ratty" clothes represent us!
 
CarolA said:
As a person how has hired, I don't know that looks were a biggie with me. However, presentation is! If you come in "messy" that bothers me. You don't have to be beautiful to be clean/neat etc.
(snipped)
To advance would have required interaction with others and we weren't going to let "ratty" clothes represent us!

::yes:: Exactly. I don't look to hire only pagent winners, but if you come in and it's obvious you haven't washed your hair in several days or your clothes are in ill-repair (or just plain inappropriate), then yes, it matters. You are going to be representing my department and our company. Greasy hair and dirty clothes are not what we want people to associate with us.

And really, my first thought always is, if you aren't interested in impressing me at the interview, why should I think you'd be interested in impressing me at your job performance?
 
There is a big difference between being attractive and being neat/well groomed.

I know of very few people who are "ugly". However, there are people who don't bathe, never comb their hair, wear clothes that don't fit properly or are innapropriate for the workplace etc. and just generally don't spend 2 minutes making sure they look okay before leaving the house.

There are plenty of people making good salaries at my workplace (I'm assuming most management here makes more than I do) and they are just normal, average looking people. A few are overweight, a few are not what you'd call pretty. But they are friendly, out going and well groomed.
 
I think attractive people get a lot further (at least until you know them). My sister is absolutly beautiful (she was a NFL cheerleader). She gets free stuff everywhere we go - free drinks, table right away etc. She is very nice too but before she even opens her mouth she's getting something. She went to apply for a hostess job and right away the owner offered her a bartending job(was a lot more $). She NEVER even poured a drink in her life.

I think being attractive helps!!
 
Do looks matter in the workplace?
In general, yes, I think they do. But to break it down a little more, I think it depends in part on the job. Lets say I'm an employer with a sales business and I want to hire someone to go out and sell my product. Would I rather have an attractive woman or handsome man representing my company? Absolutely. On the other hand, if I'm hiring someone to do telemarketing for me and the person is going to sit in an office and make phone calls all day, I'd be much more interested in what they sound like than what they look like.

Of course, if two equally qualified applicants are up for a job, I think the better looking candidate will generally win out.
 
I read that article right before I came over the DIS. Weird! I think in a lot of professions that involve a lot of interface with a client or customer base, looks pay a bigger role than they should. I read a study before that weight is also a big factor in getting a job. I wonder how much of these judgements made by the hirer are made on a subconscience level... :scratchin
 
I think the study is pretty true.

I interviewed for a job last year. One of my friends also interviewed. We've worked at the same place, have similar work histories, same degree. I am certified in my field and she is not. She got the job. My personal belief is because she is very blond, very tall and very thin. I'm pretty cute and outgoing but I'm not very thin and very blond.
 
Yes they do. Especially in the service industry.

Sad, but true.
 
It's not how you feel - -It's How You Look !

And, by-the-way, "You Look Marvelous"
 
i have never had a problem getting top grades or promotions at work, and i don't think i'm that attractive. i'm not dogmeat either. ;)

however, neither my degree nor my job are things where your looks particularly matter (like sales or something). as a matter of fact, since i work with a lot of academics, we have a lot of people who could use some personal appearance help. ;)
 
caitycaity said:
however, neither my degree nor my job are things where your looks particularly matter (like sales or something).
So do you think better looking people are attracted to different careers than plainer looking people? Just as an example, I commented last time I was at the dentist that in 40 years I don't think I've ever seen an unattractive dental hygienist. Maybe those who are unattractive just don't go after sales jobs or other positions where looks really matter.

What about the recent issue at the Borgata in Atlantic City with the weight regulations? Does that play into this as well?
 
Papa Deuce said:
"Because you're too fat".

BTW, just as an aside, if I had sued the TV station, do you think I would have had a valid ( winning case )?

No because overweight people are not a "protected class."
 


Disney Vacation Planning. Free. Done for You.
Our Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are here to provide personalized, expert advice, answer every question, and uncover the best discounts. Let Dreams Unlimited Travel take care of all the details, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a stress-free vacation.
Start Your Disney Vacation
Disney EarMarked Producer






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter

Add as a preferred source on Google

Back
Top Bottom