Ok, so I'm looking for a job on craigslist (In southern california) and I keep seeing ..."attractive" and "please send a recent photo"....this cannot be legal right? What hapened to equal opportunity employment? And I'm not looking for modeling jobs either, this is for reception/office jobs.
BTW I do consider myslef to be attractive, but I think this is wong that they are hiring based on looks.
2007-11-10 17:29:27 · 26 answers · asked by xoxo 6 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Other - Careers & Employment
it's discrimination, unless it's a job based on looks.
2007-11-10 17:32:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the job. An employer has the right to "see," the person he may hire.
Many companies, especially, if one is a receptionist for a major corportation want an attractive, i.e. beautiful, female to represent their business.
Many companies "profile," for looks. A company should be able to hire the person they want for the job. It doesn't matter if it's a modeling job, or a job in the mailroom.
Looks matter, that's the way it is in many areas of the business world. They want a photo so they can "rule out, those they don't think are attractive enough to sit at the front desk.
They don't want Godzilla to show up for an interview.
This is the way it is in America - sorry, but, we're a "looks based, country."
2007-11-10 17:47:41 · answer #2 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm pretty sure they can put "must be attractive"...though they might run into trouble if they require one gender over another, or one race over another, or a certain sexual orientation or ethnicity or age.
It's not necessarily "wrong" to hire based on looks. If Hooters was not allowed to hire based on looks, but had to take the most qualified person even if that was a short balding fat guy, they'd probably lose business, end up closing up shop, and go bankrupt. Thousands of people who enjoy going there would not be able to. All the employees would become unemployed. All the people who sell supplies and food to Hooters would lose money or jobs. So which is more wrong? That a few people who aren't considered "attractive" by current social standards don't get their feelings hurt? Or that a company loses business because they weren't allowed to choose which people represent them best as the face of their company?
I am with you that something seems "not right" about it. But if you expect to find fair employment opportunities, you probably shouldn't be looking for jobs on Craigslist of all places.
Best of luck in the search!
2007-11-10 17:44:40 · answer #3 · answered by openairway 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is not illegal but it sure borders on it. It is one of those gray area's though. Some companies feel that since the receptionist is the first face people see when they walk in the front door that it is better to have an attractive person represent the company. As far as behind the scenes in an office there should be no reason for this but I do know of many employers who only have attractive women working in them. One of my old bosses once told me that if both attractive and not so attractive women can do the work and make the same pay then why not go for the attractive one? I guess it just puts on a better face for the public with that particular company. Be careful of the Craigs List jobs - you did hear about that one woman who got murdered when she went to apply for a nanny position last week, right?
2007-11-10 17:36:14 · answer #4 · answered by phxmilitarymom 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In most business it is a requirement to have pleasant looking and well groomed employees to greet customers or sell products.
Would you buy from a sales representative that was unkempt, had missing teeth or wore shabby clothes? It's all about presentation in business.
Because it's craigslist I would be wary of sending photos to places you're unfamiliar with because you don't know what their intent is for the use of that photo.
Plus, make sure the business is legitimate and truly exists. Check the phone book for the business and drive by it before you go in for an interview. On line advertising is convenient, but can be unsafe. Especially, if you are going alone, do your homework before going to interviews.
2007-11-10 17:49:24 · answer #5 · answered by quisp007 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are certain jobs that the management requires any applicant be attractive because of promotional aspects related to the job in question. I think it can apply to waitresses, models, and hostesses. But if the job was in any sort of production or administrative situation, then I'd think it would be illegal. It may also depend on which state that the job is in.
2007-11-10 17:34:48 · answer #6 · answered by Awesome Bill 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it's wrong. These people are running a business that they own and they should be able to hire whoever they want for whatever reasons they want. It is THEIR business and it should be THEIR decision. If they think hiring good looking people will help their business then so be it. You don't hear people whining about discrimination when modeling agencies and movie producers don't hire ugly people, why should McDonalds be any different? Too much control in this world, let people live their lives and do what they want with their business.
2007-11-10 17:34:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, it doesn't make sense in this current economy. There are millions of unemployed who got that way through no fault of their own. In the past, one could assume that the unemployed are that way because they are not good workers, but that assumption isn't true these days. The employment of its citizens is definitely the government's business. Working citizens pay taxes and don't need governmet assistance so much.
2016-04-03 06:59:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Exactly...this will create a raising eyebrows...this bands the equality among applicants....if one is attractive, then this is a bonus but not as a requirement...however, come to think of it, since this is a receptionist job, most likely firms expect this, since it is a front desk job....to each its own..meaning any company can also have their promotional requirements but then again it depends on the job advertised... but not require as one of the qualifications.. it should be more on the basis of ability, competetiveness,credentials, skills, and experience...if not, it is very unjust to put this as a priority requirement!!!anyway..good luck, hope you can land on any of these jobs soon...............and oppppppppppppsss, stay as attractive as you are......
2007-11-10 17:39:10 · answer #9 · answered by E@rthGoddess 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
there is no clear cut job profile that you apply for. They may give it a title, but that title isn't confined to any particular description under US law.
It is possible that the employers may not be doing so well finding any girl to hire because most girls think like you and are possibly appalled too.
2007-11-10 18:55:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If its for a modelling job then its legal as being attractive is a requirement. For any other jobs - it would be illegal.
2007-11-11 01:24:39 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋