Sexy execs 'lose' respect
2005-11-30 08:20
Washington - Female executives who wow the co-workers with high heels, short skirts and sexy low cut blouses risk harming their careers, according to a new United States study.
Research published in the December issue of Psychology of Women Quarterly suggests however that female receptionists who wear suggestive clothing stir less hostility than their bosses.
"Although various media directed toward women encourage women to emphasise their sex appeal, our results suggest that women in high status occupations may have to resist this siren call to obtain the respect of their co-workers," the study's authors write.
Male and female participants in the study by Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, were shown a video of a suggestively dressed actress playing a sexy businesswoman talking about her background and hobbies.
The tape stirred more hostile responses than a similar video of an actress playing a businesswoman in flat shoes, slacks, and a turtleneck.
The businesswoman dressed in sexy clothes also elicited more hostility than a video of an actress playing a receptionist in similar garb.
"Participants exhibited more negative affect toward the sexily attired manager and rated her as less competent than the neutrally attired manager," the study concluded.
"These findings suggest that a sexy self-presentation harms women in high-but not low-status jobs."