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Hiring Based On Physical Attractiveness Essay

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There are currently no federal laws prohibiting hiring based on physical attractiveness. However, according to Patzer (2008), “the line is thin between legal and illegal employment practices concerning the physically attractive and much less physically attractive” (p. 10). Additionally, there are ethical considerations when choosing one candidate over another based on his or her attractiveness. Attractive people are no more capable, intelligent and competent than people that do not fit the societal norm for beauty. However, for the employer, the perception is that there are advantages to hiring an attractive candidate. In this paper, I will examine the ethical dilemma of hiring based on physical attractiveness.
Is There an Ethical Dilemma When Hiring Based on Physical Attractiveness?
Attractiveness is a combination of numerous traits that prove difficult to protect under legal standards, however, hiring based on physical attractiveness is a slippery slope. Although image matters in the United States culture, using beauty as a criterion for employment makes many employers uncomfortable (James, 2008). Furthermore, Patzer (2011) states, “even if a business practice is legal and represents a prudent strategy to benefit …show more content…

Additionally, the perception that beauty is more desirable is cultural and it would require huge societal changes. Tietje and Cresap (2005) believe that “legislation and actions by federal agencies may alleviate some of the burden borne by the unattractive members of society, but the problem may be too deeply rooted in culture and instinct to be eliminated” (p. 31). Although some states have discrimination laws against certain types of biases, physical attractiveness is difficult to define and measure and therefore challenging to

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