Troubled looks

We’re told a third of women say their looks hold them back at work (Mail).

Some really depend on them because of their career choice: being a model, for example. But how can women expect to be taken seriously in the workplace when their appearance, rather than their abilities and commitment to their employment, takes priority — causing them to take ‘a sicky’ on a ‘bad hair day’, etc?

How can they expect equal pay and status with their male counterparts?

I was born with a very serious, painful and obvious skin condition but, from an early age, was determined to live as normal a life as possible, despite the way in which some ignorant people reacted to my appearance.

Between the Sixties and the late-nineties, I worked my way up to senior management and consultancy in business, commerce and higher education — at a time when virtually all senior employees were male.

Of course, I always dressed smartly and tried to look my best. But when my skin problems couldn’t be hidden, I didn’t make a feeble excuse for not going to work. I always attended, whatever I looked like because my colleagues and clients respected me for the job I did, not my appearance.

Working women of today who let their appearance dictate whether or not they turn up to work should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

Your character and abilities aren’t dictated by your appearance. You are employed to a specific position because of your ability to do the job, not because of your looks.

PAT NORMAN, Highworth, Wilts.