Why is it that women care so much about their shoes? This mystery deserves rigorous investigation and may never be fathomed. We just do.
Proving this point, a TUC motion condemning retailers who "force women workers to wear high heels" has sparked some feisty debate.
The motion, submitted by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, says:
"Congress calls on all employers who have dress codes that promote high heels to examine the hazards their women workers face and ensure that proper risk assessments are carried out, and that where these show the wearing of high heels is hazardous the high heels should be replaced with sensible and comfortable shoes."
It continues: "High heels may look glamorous on the Hollywood catwalks but are completely inappropriate for the day-to-day working environment."
According to SKY blogger Jon Craig, Loraine Monk of the University and College Union, who opposed the motion during the debate, accused the motion's supporters of being "killjoy fashion police" and patronising of women.
If the motion was carried, she asked, was the TUC going to start measuring the height of women's heels in future? She has a point there.
Speaking out for the motion was Mary Turner of the GMB union, who said (according to Jon Craig), "If you feel the need to wear expensive high heels to stand up to your male colleagues, I feel very sorry for you." She was referring here to Conservative MP Nadine Dorries , who had previously spoken out against the motion, saying that she is five foot three and in need of every inch of her Louboutin heels to "look my male colleagues in the eye".
"If heels were banned in Westminster, no-one would be able to find me," she added.
Watch out for the upcoming 2009 IRS survey report on employer dress codes (the questionnaire is still open to HR participants!) to find out how far high heels are occupying the minds of UK employers. The report will appear on www.xperthr.co.uk (subscription required).
Judging by the IRS dress code surveys carried out in 2007 (subscription required) and 2005 (subscription required), employer issues around footwear relate more to cleanliness and exposure of toes and feet, with trainers, flip flops and open-toed shoes sometimes being banned. But heels are rarely of pivotal concern.
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Comments (1)
Glad you like it!
Posted by Charlotte Wolff
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September 21, 2009 10:48 AM
Posted on September 21, 2009 10:48