Adding to the panty hose and cut and colour routine I wrote about earlier this week, it seems the cost of being a woman in business is about to skyrocket with 85% of women in a recent poll by The Heat Group confirming what we already know: there’s greater pressure on women to be attractive at work compared to men.

According to the poll of 500 women, a fifth would consider or have already had a cosmetic procedure to improve their appearance in order to get a major promotion at work.  Eighteen per cent said they would resort to plastic surgery to boost their career opportunities.

A third (30 per cent) said they have personally experienced appearance-based discrimination.

Gillian Franklin, Heat Group managing director, said: “These results are a disappointing reminder of workplace discrimination in Australia, all employees have the right to trust that they will be rewarded for their work and not their looks.”

Wow, so there you have it: it’s all about promotions.  So I wonder if that work I’ve been wanting to get rid of the old baby bags under the eyes could go down as a business expense!?!