BEAUTYISM IN THE WORKPLACE

DISGUISED DISCRIMINATION Kevin Troutman, Nagy Ahmed, and Ben Richardson

Frederick Douglass Conference, Bloomsburg University

What is Beautyism?

Defined AKA- Attractiveness Bias Effects many areas

What is Beautyism?

General Background As old as humans Very hard to guard against No legislation Helps some, Hinders Others

Need to push toward personality based hiring

Psychology & Biology

Why one over the other? Halo Effect

Mental Traits Intelligence and Honesty

Physical Traits Symmetry and Proportions

Women vs. Men Varies from Culture to Culture

Why it leads to unfair hiring practices…

Interviewers Judgment of Job Applicants Halo Effect The Interview Process

Personal Stereotypes Attractive people are

more extroverted, more self-confident more productive

Why it leads to unfair hiring practices…

“What is Beautiful is Good” Attractive people

are successful people

“Beauty is Beastly” The reverse of

typical bias

Links to Discrimination

Legal Discrimination Lookism No real laws

regulating hiring based on appearance

Links to Discrimination

Employment Discrimination Jobs requiring

direct contact with customers

Hiring, promoting and compensation

Downsizing

Links to Discrimination

Wage Discrimination Higher

compensation Earn 12-16%

more

Abercrombie and Fitch

“Looks Policy” Brand Representatives

must reflect the A&F Image.

Must be good looking and possess the right physical appearance to work there

Hiring attractive shoppers based on certain looks

Muslim Girl denied employment for wearing mandatory religious garment

Studies and Analysis

Facts of Discrimination

Double standard

1960’s- start of scholarly research into physical attractiveness phenomenon

Scholarly Research examples

Looking Past Beautyism

4 Decades later “What is Beauty is good” concept still holds true

Attempts to take legal actions due to discrimination problems Not impossible, not probable either

Proper Training Management Staff, HR, Sensitivity Training- (Appearance Discrimination) Interviewer- guidelines

Questions and Discussion