Wk 4 Physical Attractiveness

There are numerous factors that employers take into consideration when an applicant is being considered for a job. Some factors are key in determining the success of the future employee while others may not correlate at all. A controversial quality is physical attractiveness varying from weight and height to facial appearance. In some businesses these things are what will make or break whether they are hired or not. I am torn on the idea of hiring based off of physical attractiveness. Should employers disregard your application even if you are highly qualified just because of your physical appearance? No. But is it important to keep up with hygiene and typical tasks like styling your hair or being dressed properly, yes. There are also instances that physical appearance may boost other qualities to the public eye. "...attractive people being perceived as more sociable, happier and more successful..."(Shahani-Denning, Comila. Physical Attractiveness Bias in Hiring. Print).
There are many fine lines that can be crossed when physical appearance does matter in the work place. Religion can definitely affect your appearance in both a fashionable sense and a hygienically inclined sense. Different religions require you to wear different forms of clothing due to their beliefs and they sometimes collide with the ideas of the company. Some cultures may even only use certain soaps or techniques for washing themselves that may not be accepted in the employers eyes but there is then a problem with discrimination of religion. It is up to the employer/company to issue policies that outline their standards. One example that I can relate to is tattoos and the controversy on whether they may be displayed or if they must be covered up. Coach is a brand all about quality and how they present themselves. I work as a sales associate at one of their outlets. Our dress code includes dark jeans, navy or white blouses, and other basics like makeup, hair expectations, etc. The biggest issue with our new dress code coming up in March is not about what we will be wearing but that we will be able to show our tattoos unlike we were able to do before. Some of the older fashioned employees do not care for the new policy while the newer and affected employees ,like myself, do. In some cases it may just be implemented more to those in a higher position. "...Positions with a high degree of public exposure (e.g., television news anchors) are filled by attractive people."(Shahani-Denning, Comila. Physical Attractiveness Bias in Hiring. Print.) Tattoos can be controlled but scars and natural flaws are not. I believe that as long as the position being offered is specifically described there is no way that an applicant can disagree on how they must look in order to receive the job, BUT, I do believe that employers and companies should consider the kind of company they want to be before implementing such positions that are based off of physical appearance. "Some research has been conducted examining the general physical attractiveness stereotype (What is beautiful is good), which found general support for the PA bias even in cultures that are collectivist, where you might expect less bias."(Shahani-Denning, Comila. Physical Attractiveness Bias in Hiring. Print.)