ABSTRACT
Employment equality in China is an evolving landscape. One informant, a senior executive, told us, “Business is about maximizing profit. It is logical for a firm to find the best possible employees, which possibly means hiring those who are taller, stronger, prettier, and more capable.” His sentiments were echoed by another senior executive, who said, “In a hospital, patients of course want to see prettier nurses. Patients are already in a bad physical and mental state, and they want to see someone whose appearance can make them more comfortable. On the other hand, there is no need to screen the appearance of applicants for positions that do not interact with patients, such as those working in the back room of the hospital pharmacy. But it’s not acceptable to put those whose appearance is not pleasant in positions that directly interact with patients because patients will not accept these people.”
