Can Girls Be Too Attractive for Employment?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 354, 15 May 1928, Page 9

Can Girls Be Too Attractive for Employment?

Fears of Pretty Maid Upsetting the Men CONTROVERSY STARTS (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (United Service)

LONDON, Monday. The question whether a girl can be too attractive for employment is the latest to arouse controversy. Miss Haslett, organiser of the Women’s Engineering Association, speaking on “New Careers for Women” at a conference, protested against an engineering firm refusing to employ a good-looking girl in spite of the fact that she was admirably qualified for the appointment in its drawing office, because it was feared she would upset the men. Miss Haslett said the director of another firm expressed the opinion that a girl’s technical qualifications should include the ability to remain unshocked when a foreman swore. Miss Haslett argued that girls in engineering establishments did not want to be regarded as curiosities because they wore trousers and worked at night. They wanted to work with men, not against themSir Woodman Burbidge, chairman of Harrods, London, Limited, says there is no truth in the statement that good looks are a drawback to a business woman. He says he prefers a goodlooking woman who has “something above her ears.” A charming girl has a great advantage in salesmanship. Mr. Gordon Selfridge, junior, says a man who neglects work because an attractive girl is in the same office is not much of a business man. An official of the Women Clerks’ Association expresses the opinion that if the choice lies between girls who are otherwise equally equipped the one with an attractive personality always secures the vacant post. Sometimes her association is asked not to send a good-looking girl. That is probably due to a wife’s influence. The head of one Government department says he thinks over-attract-iveness in girl employees is inadvisable.