Some Bosses Think Heels and Makeup Are ‘Better for Business’

A new survey finds that bosses believe it’s better for business when female employees wear heels and makeup — whether they like it or not. (Photo: Gallery Stock)

Turns out your boss is not only assessing how well you do your job, but also how you look — if you’re a woman, that is.

One in five women say they feel their bosses pay more attention to their appearance than to that of their male colleagues, a recent survey by law firm Slater and Gordon found.

The law firm recruited 2,000 U.K. employees to explore sexism in the workplace by way of dress code, and the findings are embarrassing in 2016. The survey shows 28 percent of women have been advised that changing their appearance would be “better for business.”

More specifically, 7 percent of the women surveyed say their bosses have urged them to wear high heels in the office or with clients because it makes them “more appealing.” Almost one in 10 women have been told by their bosses to wear more makeup at work so they look “prettier.”

Of course, more than half of men say they have never received comments about their appearance, and just 3 percent have occasionally been told to dress more smartly by their senior colleagues.

Sadly, we aren’t that surprised — we’re enraged. We’ve heard too many stories proving these findings recently. Nicola Thorp was sent home without pay from her temp job for turning up at the company’s headquarters in flats. When going to a job interview at the Body Shop, Brenna MacPhee received an email with the time and location of the interview, as well as this detail, according to CBC News: “***DRESSCODE: Please wear all black business attire and a full face of makeup as it is our dress code in the store.”

Um … what?

The worst part is that Slater and Gordon found 86 percent of those who deal with this form of discrimination feel their career might suffer if they don’t dress the way their boss wants. Plus, the study found that women feel they have physically suffered as a result of dress code demands such as caking on makeup and wearing killer heels or too-tight clothing — and that pain and suffering inhibits productivity.

Take note, bosses: If you want a job well done, it’s time to lay off these ridiculous dress codes.

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