Brains Before Boo.....Body

I've removed my tight fitting turtle neck sweater and pencil thin skirt and replaced it with a suit of armor -- not because I fear I will lose my job if I don't, but because the women's libbers out there are probably going to skin me alive. Take it from someone who has been in the business world a long, long time and has been known to turn a few heads and other body parts (upward) over the years. No one dresses as Debrahlee Lorenzana did for her bank job with Citigroup to prove she's good with figures. To prove she HAS a good figure, sure. She was probably hoping to use those same figures (36-23-36 - I'm guessing) to land a wealthy husband. Been there.

Good looking men and women have always had an advantage in the workplace. Customers respond more favorably to attractive people. Bosses enjoy being seen with subordinates who make them look good merely by proximity. The truth is beautiful/handsome people rule the world. The other truth is that those same attributes can be used against you if you are not careful.

Men have an advantage in that they come by their facial features "naturally." No makeup is needed to enhance a cleft chin, regal nose, dimpled cheeks, dark eyelashes and lush lips. A well cut suit will bring attention to a great set of pecs and muscular legs without screaming "Don't you wonder what I'm like in bed!?"

Women, on the other hand, need to be more careful. There is a fine line between sexy and SEXY!!!! This is a case where a little goes a long way, especially if you are seriously trying to pursue a career and not a temporary job until something better comes along.

Many years ago, I worked for one of the Big Eight accounting firms. Having been trained at the premier business school in Manhattan at the time, I was good - no, great - at my job. My resume got me in the door. My body got me a lot of attention. Just looking as I did was nectar for the flies. I remember my immediate supervisor telling me, "You attract more men than bees to honey." He also told me I was fired a few months later when those bees started spending too much time around my desk rather than their own.

Cue the light bulb over my head! The lesson learned was that, if I wanted to be taken seriously, I would have to dress accordingly. That did not mean I went to work looking like an old crone. I still wore suits and dresses that enhanced my figure. I just made sure they did not hug too tightly in places were a gentle caress was better applied. Now, when I entered a room, heads still turned, but the focus was only momentarily below my neck. People heard what I was saying rather then the blood rushing in their ears.

Let's be fair. If a man can be sued for sexual harassment for off color jokes and complimenting a co-worker, why shouldn't a woman be sued for sexual harassment for her behavior. What's the difference between a women who intentionally emphasizes her breasts and a man who aggressively flirts? Both are distractions in the work place.

The reality is that no matter how beautiful a woman may be, she still needs brains to make it from the secretarial pool to the executive suite. IQs and dress codes apply. Business attire is labeled as such for a reason. Clothing sends a message.

Standards of dress are set by each company. Hooters has a completely different mindset than the financial sector. If, before firing Ms. Lorenzana, Citigroup's human resources department made an effort to direct her to more professional attire, then the company should not be sued.

Women have fought hard to be recognized for their brains not their breasts. Corporations should not be held responsible for wanting the professionals they hire to act and look professional.