14 DAY TRIAL // The British Union Trade Congress, although predominantly male, is pushing for an initiative that will reportedly spare many female employees plenty of embarrassment and even more health-related problems. The UTC is trying to ban high heels at the workplace, branding them discriminatory and a health hazard, much to the outrage of outstanding female public figures, the Daily Mail informs.
The idea behind the UTC’s proposition is that high heels can be extremely dangerous in the long run, if worn for extended periods of time a day, like, for instance, at the workplace. Moreover, some employers literally “force” female staff to work in heels the entire day – such is the case of flight attendants and bank employees – which is both discriminatory and a hazard for their overall health.
Banning heels altogether would seem the ideal solution from this perspective, UTC says, although several prominent female public figures would beg to differ. Tory MP Nadine Dorries, for instance, argues that heels give her confidence and an edge over her male colleagues, while also being entirely a matter of personal choice. Only the female employees in question should be allowed to say whether high-heeled shoes are good or bad for them, Dorries tells the Mail, and certainly not the UTC, which is trying to divert attention from other, more important issues.
“I’m 5ft 3in need every inch of my Christian Louboutin heels to look my male colleagues in the eye. If high heels were banned in Westminster, no one would be able to find me. The TUC need to get real, stop using overtly sexist tactics by discussing women’s stilettos to divert attention away from Labour chaos.” Dorries explains for the publication. Understandably, she’s not the only one to say that it’s actually the UTC who’s trying to discriminate against women at the workplace with the proposed ban of high heels.
The Congress, in its turn, states its proposal is based on irrefutable fact. “Feet bear the brunt of daily life, and for many workers prolonged standing, badly fitted footwear, and in particular high heels can be a hazard. Around two million days a year are lost through sickness as a result of lower limb disorders. Wearing high heels can cause long-term foot problems, such as blisters, corns and calluses, and also serious foot, knee and back pain. More needs to be done to raise awareness of this problem.” reads the motion from UTC. “Heels should have a broad base and be no higher than 4cm (1.5 in)... if worn for long stretches no higher than 2cm (0.8 inch).” it further adds.