MNHQ here: Have you been made to wear high heels at work?

How is it not a safety issue that cabin crew have to wear heels? Their primary role is safety and that would surely mean practical shoes - unless everyone has time to put on different footwear in the event of an emergency. (I think cabin crew do wear lower heels on the plane and higher heels on the tarmac but even so, lower does not equal flat).

Yes, in retail in my first ever job, on my feet all day and I still haven't regained full feeling in a couple of toes (it was 10 years ago!!!)

My manager made all women in the department wear heels. I wouldn't put up with it now!

NCP time? Nice time, obviously.

(Incidentally, my male colleague, who also has to rush about quite a bit, also frequently kicks off his shoes under the desk when he gets chance, and rightly so).

This has never been an issue that I have had to address, but thinking of some of the things I do currently in very low-heeled shoes for work, I'd say that high heels would make these cross the line into unsafe in some cases, and basically slow me up a lot in others where I need to be kitted out for speed to do the job efficiently. It does seem to be that high heels suggest the 'enforcers' consider there is more value in standing looking decorative and not pitching in to do things that can be a little risky, than working in the same as someone not hampered by impractical clothing.

I was required to wear heels as a temp receptionist. I worked for an agency, so only ever did about two weeks in one place. If I didn't look right, I didn't get the jobs I needed to pay the rent.

I was skint, so had to borrow the shoes from my mother and the suit from sister. The too-small heels really hurt me, even when I kicked them off under the desk as often as possible.

I also worked on customer service desks in major department stores. Standing in heels for eight hours each day is an experience I will never forget, and I have the bunions to prove it

Now I work for a great company. Hardly anyone wears heels. It is very 'old money' which surprisingly allows much more individuality than anywhere else I have worked. Men in mustard cords, women with lilac hair. A large percentage of staff wear clothing liberally coated with dog hair. It hasn't affected our profits or reputation.

The company I work for has uniform which includes cargo style trouser and a skirt option. Shoes must be black, enclosed toes and not high. On the shop floor 99% wear the trousers with flatish shoes..think school shoe styles!
Anyway, a few years ago the manager thought it would be a good idea to get young, pretty girls in, get them to wear short skirts, high heels, with the idea sex sells..the rest of us were told we were to do this too using the work skirts...
I flatly refused.. sulked like a teenager and never did it...all the girls dropped the skirts/heels after builders perved on them and most left within weeks months anyway...idea was soon dropped and common sense prevailed. and the managers were a laughing stock

I have never been made to wear heels but have worked in places where it is part of the expected work wear. However wearing a summer dress and kitten heels in a sweltering office seemed a lot more comfortable that a suit and tie so I didn't feel hard done by.

I think the important thing is to make sure that the issue of ties and comfortable summer wear for men is addressed.

Thank goodness for that time in electronic engineering. None of this nonsense. Dress code was tidy shirt and skirt / trousers, total choice.anyone in a suit without customers visiting would be asked 'did you get the job?'

And this is over 20 years ago . get science qualifications, work with a better type!

Don't be sorry Everything - it's just an expression to signify disbelief.

As Laser explains (along with PPs) high heels are not just 'emotive', they cause long term damage, exacerbate existing conditions and are potentially dangerous - as well as objectifying women in a way that trousers on men never will. HTH.

Yes - but it was years, and years ago.

Temp job as a waitress through an agency for a Christmas party "shed" which was behind a pub. About 200 pissed low level (mostly male) executives. So, lower management.

We were told by the caterers to wear black and white, short skirt, white shirt and "heels".

But, that was not at all shocking. The most shocking thing was being trained in how to carry on silver serving turkey slices with a hand up your skirt - the important thing being "that everyone has a NCP time, and no one gets burned"

At 17 I was appalled and managed one shift before refusing all future employment.

There is no such dress code where I work but I fell down stairs on a railway station on my way to a meeting recently - essentially lost balance due to my heels. Ironically I work in a very safety conscious industry where we are literally being told not to carry cups of coffee upstairs etc.

To be honest if someone either struggles to balance/walk in heels or is getting pain then it should fall under Health and Safety at Work act. Does anyone know if this is the case? Or would we end up getting heels banned which might be even less popular?

Heels aren't just uncomfortable. There are long term health issues and damage that they can cause (in my case nerve damage) which ties or trousers just can't inflict.

Sir I'm sorry you banged your head. To me, there are parallels. Women, in the heels situation, are forced to wear a uniform which is potentially uncomfortable for them and men are not put in the same position. In the case I outlined, the men are forced to wear part of a uniform which is potentially uncomfortable (due to the heat) and women are not put in the same position. Why should men cover their legs but women not? Ok, so it may not be as emotive an example as high heels but the lack of choice and equality still features.

I applied for a summer job while at uni in a retail store in town. During the interview the dress code was explained to me, pencil skirt, shirt and heels. I am 6' 1'', I never where heels for that reason. During my teens and twenties I really struggled with my height. The thought of being 6' 4'' just for a bit of holiday pocket money was unbearable. I did not take the job.

They're called 'killer heels' for a reason - they kill your feet.

Yes-and in a retail job that involved being stood up all day.

Yes. I was cabin crew for an international airline based in London. I loved wearing the heels and they looked fab with the Red uniform. I also had bunion surgery during my employment and was permitted flat shoes for a long period after. I went back to heels when I could and my feet did hurt after long flights but I couldn't bear flats in the uniform, it didn't look right. Never took offence that women had to wear heels at this company.

Can you/they also consider that it is also wrong that women are often made to wear make-up at work?

Luckily no.

I have arthritis and have done for a while. It would be too painful for me to wear heels for any length of time, and certainly wouldn't do my joints any good.

Its nothing like being asked to wear a tie, or many other things either tbh. Wearing a tie doesn't contribute to health issues.

Yes. I worked in a well- known opticians a few years back. Had to wear a god-awful Uniform (Fair enough) but it was absolutely clear that we were expected to wear heels all day. As I was 'front of house' I was also not permitted to sit down. Ever. It was agony. One day I turned up in flats as I couldn't stand it any more and got roundly questioned and told not to wear them again. By my female manager! Who was allowed to sit down!

No but I was speaking to my neighbour - male, early 60's - just yesterday lunchtime.

Said I had to go as had to get ready for a meeting. He replied something about "off to get the skirt and high heels on". Eh, no but tells you something about perceptions.

I'd prefer equal pay actually.

I have had to wear steel toed boots at work, and I know men who have had to shave their beards (to fit the fire retardant masks) but really resent being paid 20% less than the blokes.

Don't really give much of a second thought to uniforms or clothes restrictions: especially for health and safety; or if someone is representing their company in a public facing role; or is selling products which have to do with appearance (in effect is modelling the stuff they're selling).

I want to be paid as much as a man for doing the same work.
Now that's a petition I'd sign.