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Lookism: Beauty Still Trumps Brains in Too Many Workplaces

The Shift to Virtual Working: Still a Long Way to Go for Equal Opportunities

Universities position themselves as places where brains matter. It seems strange then that students at a US university would rate attractive academics as better teachers. This was the finding of a recent paper from the University of Memphis, which concluded that female academics suffered most from this.

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It raises an uncomfortable proposition, that beauty trumps brains even in 21st century workplaces. This concern is supported by veteran female broadcasters such as radio presenter Libby Purves, who recently complained about the way the BBC dispenses with women of a certain age.

The Slater and Gordon survey found that 35% of women had experienced at least one sexist demand from their employer, usually relating to how they dressed for video meetings. Women also reported being asked to wear more makeup, do something to their hair or dress more provocatively. Reasons offered by their bosses were that it would “help win business” and be “pleasing to a client”.

The Shift to Aesthetic Labour

The Slater and Gordon survey findings affirm that many trends that we describe in our recent book, Aesthetic Labour, are widespread and continuing despite remote working. Our book reports over 20 years of research and thinking about this problem.

Beauty and the Boss

Companies think that paying greater attention to employees’ appearance will make them more competitive, while public sector organisations think it will make them more liked. As a result, they are all becoming ever more prescriptive in telling employees how they should look, dress and talk.

Society’s Obsession

Of course, workplaces cannot be divorced from society in general, and within the book we chart the increasing obsession with appearance. This aestheticisation of individuals is partly driven by the ever-growing reach and importance of the beauty industry and a huge rise in cosmetic – now increasingly labelled aesthetic – surgery.

FAQs

Q: What is lookism?
A: Lookism is the practise of making judgments about an individual based on their physical appearance, rather than their qualifications, skills, or performance.

Q: What is aesthetic labour?
A: Aesthetic labour is the practice of presenting oneself in a certain way to meet the expectations of their employer or clients, often in order to make a better impression.

Q: Is lookism illegal?
A: In most countries, lookism is not explicitly illegal, but it can be considered as discrimination on the basis of physical appearance.

Q: Can lookism be combated?
A: Yes, it is important to raise awareness about the issue and create a culture where individuals are judged based on their skills and performance, rather than their appearance.