Human
Unattractive Workers More Likely to Be Bullied at Workplace
Benita Matilda
First Posted: Jun 20, 2013 10:02 AM EDT
A Michigan State University study says that people who are considered unattractive are more likely to be belittled and bullied at workplace.
"Frankly, it's an ugly finding," Brent Scott, associate professor of management and lead investigator on the study said in a press release. "Although we like to think we're professional and mature in the workplace, it can be just like high school in many ways."
Prior to this, several studies were done that showed attractive students were the most popular students in school. But this is the first study that ties associates' unattractiveness to cruelty in workplace.
In order to prove the hypothesis, the researcher surveyed 114 workers at a health care facility in southeastern United States. In this survey the workers were questioned on how many times their co workers were engaged in cruel behavior towards them such as acting rudely, saying cruel things or making fun of them.
Those who were not familiar with the participants in the study judged their attractiveness based on their digital photos.
The researchers noticed that the unattractive worker received harsher treatment when compared to the attractive worker. With the help of questionnaire completed by the spouses, partners or good friends, the researchers gathered information on how friendly or agreeable the workers were. They noticed that the disagreeable worker similar to the unattractive employee received harsh treatment.
The finding highlights the fact that both personality and appearance matter.
This study can help managers to monitor the susceptible employees and give them some social support.
The study was published in the journal Human Performance.
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First Posted: Jun 20, 2013 10:02 AM EDT
A Michigan State University study says that people who are considered unattractive are more likely to be belittled and bullied at workplace.
"Frankly, it's an ugly finding," Brent Scott, associate professor of management and lead investigator on the study said in a press release. "Although we like to think we're professional and mature in the workplace, it can be just like high school in many ways."
Prior to this, several studies were done that showed attractive students were the most popular students in school. But this is the first study that ties associates' unattractiveness to cruelty in workplace.
In order to prove the hypothesis, the researcher surveyed 114 workers at a health care facility in southeastern United States. In this survey the workers were questioned on how many times their co workers were engaged in cruel behavior towards them such as acting rudely, saying cruel things or making fun of them.
Those who were not familiar with the participants in the study judged their attractiveness based on their digital photos.
The researchers noticed that the unattractive worker received harsher treatment when compared to the attractive worker. With the help of questionnaire completed by the spouses, partners or good friends, the researchers gathered information on how friendly or agreeable the workers were. They noticed that the disagreeable worker similar to the unattractive employee received harsh treatment.
The finding highlights the fact that both personality and appearance matter.
This study can help managers to monitor the susceptible employees and give them some social support.
The study was published in the journal Human Performance.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone