Percepções sobre código de vestimenta e estereótipos de gênero no Secretariado Executivo: estudo de caso em organização pública e privada

Abstract

Gender inequality in the corporate environment directly impacts the professional lives of women, especially in Executive Secretariat, a historically female profession marked by stereotypes that undermine its importance. Women’s attire, influenced by patriarchy and social norms, often becomes a criterion for professional judgment, reinforcing inequalities and limiting career progression. This study seeks to understand how gender stereotypes affect women's dress codes in the workplace, analyzing their relationship with the construction of identity and professional recognition. This is an applied research study, designed as a case study, using semi-structured interviews to investigate the challenges faced by women in corporate settings. The results indicate that, in both the public organization (with a lower level of aesthetic expectations) and the private one, the interviewees reported that aesthetic expectations or dress standards influence perceptions of professionalism, requiring greater effort to be recognized for their technical competence. The findings contribute to the discussion on gender equity and professional autonomy, highlighting the impact of dress codes on the construction of women’s professional image and the acknowledgment of their competence in the labor market.