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    1. Life
    2. Money and Work

    Cleavage can harm your career

    Too much on display hampers chances of promotion

    By Marie Claire
    Published 10 July 2009 In Features

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    Too much on display hampers chances of promotion

    Too much cleavage on display can harm your career, the author of a new book is warning. Elisabeth Squires, author of Boobs: A Guide to Your Girls says woman have stopped power dressing in favour of tight low-cut tops and short skirts. But it could be putting off colleagues and hampering changes of promotion. ‘Unless your career success rests on your chest it is probably wiser to rely on your other assets at the office,’ said Squires, ‘I don't think women are stupid I just don't think anyone knows the rules. Women understand the power of breasts in general, but they don't understand the power of their own.’

    The author warns that too much cleavage will cause an employee to end being perceived as sexual instead of professional. ‘Showing a lot of breast is going to be a distraction, especially in the workplace,’ she says.

    A study commissioned by Squires found that displaying too much flesh in the office can be distracting and damage a woman's career. Men who took part in the study where shown photographs of women in a generic workplace in various outfits and with different bra sizes.

    When asked which of the women looked the most professional and personable, most men picked out women who were discreetly dressed and women with medium-sized breasts.

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