Petition launched after receptionist from Hackney ‘sent home for not wearing heels’
Sent home: Actor Nicola Thorp
An online petition for a change in the law has been launched by a temp worker after she was sent home after she refusing to wear high heels at work.
Nicola Thorp, 27, from Hackney, arrived at finance company PwC to work as a receptionist to be told she had to wear shoes with a 2 inch to 4 inch heel”.
When she refused and pointed out that male colleagues were not required to do the same, she was sent home without pay.
Outsourcing firm Portico said it set the uniform rules for staff supplied to PwC but is now to review its guidelines.
Ms Thorp told BBC London: “I said ‘if you can give me a reason as to why wearing flats would impair me to do my job today, then fair enough’, but they couldn’t.”
“I was expected to do a nine-hour shift on my feet escorting clients to meeting rooms. I said I just won’t be able to do that in heels.”
Her petition states “Make it illegal for a company to require women to wear high heels at work.
“It’s still legal in the UK for a company to require female members of staff to wear high heels at work against their will. Dress code laws should be changed so that women have the option to wear flat formal shoes at work, if they wish. Current formal work dress codes are out-dated and sexist.”
You can find the petition here: Make it illegal for a company to require women to wear high heels at work
I wouldnt like to defend these employers at a tribunal. WRT sex discrimination, Here is a comment from the EAT which appears to be relevant.
The Employment Appeals Tribunal said that the deciding factor was whether “an equivalent level of smartness to that required of the female members of staff could only be achieved in the case of men, by requiring them to wear a collar and tie”. If it could be achieved in some other way, then imposing such a rigid code might suggest less favourable treatment towards male staff.
we might change it to apply to these circumstances:
The Employment Appeals Tribunal said that the deciding factor was whether “an equivalent level of smartness to that required of the male members of staff could only be achieved in the case of women, by requiring them to wear high heels”. If it could be achieved in some other way, then imposing such a rigid code might suggest less favourable treatment towards female staff.
This is from a brief look at an employment law website:
http://www.thompsons.law.co.uk/ltext/117-know-your-rights.htm
There is also a duty on the employer to provide a safe working environment.
I am totally sick of endemic sexism in this day and age. Still not equal pay for women anywhere in the world and now this rubbish? Disgusting and outrageous.
All Ladies Should Wear Nice Lovely VAN DAl Patent Shoes Or Nice Lovely Mary Jane Patent Shoes They Do Look Nice On Ladies Feet
thump up for her. I did not know such rediculous rule exists in 2016. We should wear any shoes we like especially for comfort. Sue the Co. if we trip over or sustain backache.
Where do I sign?
where do i sign a woman should wear what she feels comfortable in.