HR Opinions: High heels, health and the law

Thanks to everyone who took part in our first poll into are high heels in the workplace discriminatory, where 73% of you thought yes, 23% were not sure and 5% felt no.  So the Is have it so to speak.

On the back of this I thought it may be interesting to publish the Joint report from the women and equalities committee and the pensions committee into this topic which in summary found that:

the Government told the committee that the dress code with which Nicola Thorp (the London receptionist who sent home as she refused to wear high heels) was required to comply was, in its view, already illegal under the Equality Act 2010.

the Equality Act 2010 is not yet fully effective in protecting workers from discrimination with respect to dress codes, as proving that a particular requirement constitutes "less favourable treatment" seems to be a barrier to claims in cases where the dress code requires workers to dress in a way which many people adopt by choice e.g. make up.

proposes a review and amendment of the law in this area

dress codes which required women to wear high heels is damaging to their health and wellbeing

If you go straight to page 31 you can read their conclusions.

https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmpetitions/291/291.pdf

Does your Company have a policy on high heels and how women in particular are required to present themselves at work? It would be great to share.

Look out for our next poll and get involved!

All the best

Sarah

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Replies

  • Thanks for this Sarah.  I've just discovered that the line manager for the receptionist has implemented "grooming guidelines", which I have a few reservations about.  I'd be interested to hear what others have in terms of rules, especially front of house staff relating to  personal choice items such as heavy makeup, visible piercings and tattoos etc.

    • Hi Vicky yes I have read about grooming and look policies and the government report also refers to these.

      I think piercings and tattoos can be very organisation specific in so much that some places it is still considered a no no and others employees have complained about this e.g. at Starbucks, employees initiated an online petition to amend the company’s tattoo policy. I have recently written an article which was published in Business Matters on this very topic, have a read and let me know what you think:

      http://www.bmmagazine.co.uk/author/sarahloates/

      I hope this helps!

      All the best

      Sarah

  • Really interesting read - thanks for posting.

    A few years back before I joined HR a new senior manager sent a dress code round demanding high heels of all female front of house staff.  She was feared by many so most people started wearing high heels.  I refused, stating it was discriminatory, she referred it to HR and must have been told it was unlawful, because it was never spoken of again and we all started wearing our smart but comfortable flats again.  It was a relief to know HR knew the law, even if the manager didn't!

    • Hi Janet

      Yes it is not uncommon one of my learners who worked at a high end car dealership was also told by her manager that she should wear high heels to work as she had a customer facing role.  I advised her she should challenge this she said at the end of the working day her feet used to really hurt!

      Thanks for sharing your experiences.

      Sarah

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