A University of Sydney study has revealed that managers of fashion retail stores prioritise good looks and charm over qualifications and experience when hiring staff.
97 per cent of managers cited the right personality and 85 per cent cited the right appearance as important or very important attributes when selecting customer service staff.
In contrast, just 44 per cent recognised the right qualifications, while 78 per cent saw previous experience as important or very important.
With more than one in 10 Australian workers employed in the retail trade, the research raises questions about discrimination on the basis of looks and physical appearance in employment.
In every state except Victoria, appearance is not accepted as grounds for unlawful discrimination.
Read more at University of Sydney