Hi

A colleague and I are having a debate about the validity / fairness of assessing candidates at job interview on their appearance.

Before you take a sharp intake of breath – I DON’T MEAN the colour of skin, the use of a wheelchair or a hearing aid, attractiveness, weight, height, designer label clothing or any other unfair or illegal criteria.

I maintain that it is perfectly reasonable to require someone to attend an interview well presented whilst my colleague thinks that this is discriminatory.

When I say well presented, I mean appropriately dressed for the environment in which you are being recruited to work in. So I would expect a suit and tie if that is how people within the business dress, and I would happily accept jeans if that is acceptable clothing for the job.

What I do not think is acceptable is for candidates to turn up in inappropriate clothing for the environment (or just generally inappropriate clothing – ripped jeans, T-shirts with offensive slogans, clothes that are very revealing etc), to be untidy, dirty, smelly, have bad breath (I accept that there maybe some medical reasons for this and that this may have disability implications which I would be more than willing to take into account if notified. )

I expect people to have brushed their hair, brushed their teeth, (cleaned their shoes – a personal bug bear!) etc.

I want to recruit someone who has presented themselves as if the job is important to them and that they are seriously wanting to be considered s a good candidate for employment

I think that you can present yourself in that way in any environment.

What are your views? I am happy to have my opinions challenged!

Thanks
Sam
Sam Swinstead