Are You Too Hot?

By Claudine Zap.

This sounds like a problem I wouldn't mind suffering from: A study shows that some women may be ruled too hot for certain jobs.

OK, it's not as good as it sounds. Because being considered too beautiful for work is actually a very ugly practice: Judging someone hot or not for a job that has nothing to do with looks is discrimination, pure and simple. Even if it comes wrapped in a pretty package.

The study, published in the Journal of Social Psychology, asked subjects to match photos of job applicants with job titles.

While the gorgeous gals were ruled too hot for some positions like engineer and prison guard, the good looking guys were not. Double standard? You betchya.

A recent brouhaha in New York about a banker, Debrahlee Lorenzana (pictured above) touched on such an issue. The employee sued Citibank after she was fired. She claimed she was let go because the men in the office thought she was "too hot." The bank did not see it that way, but could this be a more common complaint in the future? After all, if a study confirms it, perhaps these women will have a (sexy) leg to stand on in court.

Now, to be fair, pretty people of both sexes normally have it pretty good: They make more money, get better job evaluations, have higher acceptance rates to college -- even more favorable rulings at trials.

Let's hope this study reminds employers that hiring decisions based on looks is trouble. Big trouble.

What do you think? Have you ever suspected your looks played a role when looking for work?