No one should use sex appeal in the workplace. Ever. For any reason. Totally inappropriate.

Workplaces are filled with humans. I received several jobs and a couple of promotions due to sex appeal even though I was not trying to use it. I lost a couple of promotions because I did not play that game. I have seen a few exceptional women get promoted for their work ethic and intelligence alone. I have seen a few women climb the ladder of success flat on their back. I think women have to work almost twice as hard to get promoted without using their sex appeal just like other minorities even though we are often not a minority by our numbers.

None of that answered the question posed but will perhaps explain my answer. Sex appeal should not be used in the workplace however this is one area that cannot be avoided because people are people. Employers should not be allowed to require sexual favors of their employees and women who use their sex appeal in the workplace make it harder for women who don't therefore they should be ostracized.

I have 99 problems , and apologizing of how I look ain't gonna be one of them .
I wear scrubs for living . And adidas . And ain't tight scrubs or fancy ones . And a mask . And I have a tone of hair to worry about and keep restrained . If so and so penis still finds me sexy or whatever the hell , what I supposed to do ? Worry about that too ?

Using sex appeal in the workplace is a slippery, dangerous slope.

Personally, I try to use intelligence, reasoning and humor. It's safer.

It seems that you are implying women are choosing sex appeal.
That’s an odd statement to me. You are basically arguing against yourself by how you set this up.

First of all sex appeal varies from person to person.
If a person finds someone else ‘sexually appealing’ that is entirely on them.
You can not blame the way a person looks, the clothes they wear, fashion sense, makeup, or anything about them as being “sex appeal.”

So no this does not damage women.
Oppression damages women.
Inequality damages women.
Misogyny damages women.

And unfortunately you are also damaging women with your way of thinking.
Dress and look however you wish.
It should have zero influence on your ability and job function.

Tall, good looking men with great hair get more promotions than others. Is that using sex appeal?
The sad fact is, the better looking someone is, the more likely they are to be promoted, listened to, respected.

How are you defining sex appeal? Women have sex appeal to men just by the mere fact that they are women...that is just a natural fact. What I believe you are trying to say is should women dress in such a way as to conceal rather than reveal the fact that they are attractive to men, or perhaps not wear make-up to work in order to look less attractive. If that is what you mean then my answer is most definitely that they should do exactly as they please in this respect. I personally never leave the house without being smartly dressed and wearing lipstick and mascara, why I would be expected to do anything differently to go to work I can’t imagine.

I understand what you're saying, but in the work place I say use what you have to get ahead.
Nothing wrong with being attractive, AS WELL as smart, educated, well-trained, socially-skilled, you name it.

It’s not that simple. It never is.

Being a short bald male of average looks, I use what little intelligence & charm I possess to attract women. What? Should I not display my intelligence at work? That won’t go well for my career.

Do whatever you think is appropriate to get by and get ahead. Good luck ladies.

As someone who, over the course of 20 years in a career, has witnessed more couples of different rank in relationships than I can count on a long day, and against regulations as they have almost all been between direct supervisors and the staff under them (no pun intended)- I'm going to say "no". It causes nothing but trouble.

Both sexes do it and we shouldn't. The excuse is that we want to be attractive but "modestly" so.

I’m very lucky I feel that the people promoted at my workplace are promoted due to their knowledge and skills and not based on their looks/ flirting ability. But we do not have contact with the public.
The New Scientist did a study a while back where they found that people of both genders perceived women with lipstick on as more competent, so there may be something in being what society expects in some ways.
We all pass a probationary period and no company wants dead weight around surely, whether they flirt or not?

There is no equal;ity in the workplace, or in life generally ... it is simply an idea to allw equality to 'exist'. all people are different in skills, in intelligence, in strength, in looks and we all adapt our lives tp use our attributes to get whatever we want, with varying degrees of succrss.
whether we do it deliberately, or subconciously, we all use sex appeal (and other attributes) throughout the day in every aspect of our lives

It has no place. Best to use intelligence, indefatigable work ethic, attention to detail. It absolutely undermines efforts at equality.

Generally speaking, I believe everyone should use whatever they need to to achieve their goals. The people who respond to a woman or man's sex appeal while ignoring more qualified people are the ones who are demeaned.

I say no... because it feeds into the stupid societal idea (probably created by threatened lesser male workers) that women only get their jobs or positions but using their sex appeal... not only that, it creates a work culture where men begin to EXPECT women to use their sex appeal and then if you don't, the guys treat you like you have or will anyways. It is bad for women overall imo.

At the same time, most men did NOT get their positions due to meritocracy..... meritocracy is a myth and most workers, of all genders, got where they are due to contacts and relying on their cultural capital. Fact.

No! I was a male nurse in a female dominated profession & this wasn't an issue. I think it's mostly in the mind, unless you're goal driven.

As an individual who labors in solitude, I don't want to think about how this applies to me.

Why should they unless it's personal choice

Men start businesses because they want to. Nothing stopping women from creating and holding power positions.

As far as sex appeal wherever. Just use what you have and do what works. Period. Judgements of others means little.

So you are saying men are not sexually attractive to women?

"McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook out after 'poor judgment' involving relationship with employee"

[finance.yahoo.com]

Who cares? They can do whatever they want. Up to them.

You ask many questions. Seek guidance and wisdom of one who is experienced in these things. Seek Donald Trump*

*This post was meant as sarcasm and satire. Donald trump has nothing to do with guidance, wisdom, experience, common sense or reality. Seek help for an erection lasting more than four hours. We suggest Melania Trump.

Dressing a particular way and some gestures are very culture specific. Similarly on other side how the dress or gesture or tone is interpreted and evaluated depends on cultural context. So discussion should specify the cultural backdrop - is it north american wasp ? Is it an asian city like Delhi ? Or a government outpost in Papua New Guinea ?