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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder whether it is discriminatory to insist on women wearing heels to work?

137 replies

Barbierella · 14/07/2014 19:34

Am I wrong in thinking some professions insist on women wearing heeled shoes to work, such as airlines?

Bearing in mind heeled shoes are known to cause pain and long term damage to feet this is a very unreasonable request. And if men are not required to wear them then women should not either.

OP posts:
Lj8893 · 15/07/2014 10:08

May have already been mentioned but airlines don't require women to wear heels for the whole flight. They require you to wear heels for boarding and passengers exiting the plane but when your in service you change in to your cabin shoes which are flat comfortable (but still smart) pumps.

auntjane2 · 15/07/2014 10:12

That certainly sounds much more sensible Lj8893 than wearing heels throughout the flight.

HouseOfBamboo · 15/07/2014 10:14

Lara - I would suspect the reason that some people are 'heels' wearers is because they have worn them a lot at a young age and their tendons have shortened. It then feels strange to wear flats.

I don't imagine that having shortened tendons is good for your overall posture and skeletal health.

Longdistance · 15/07/2014 10:15

Barb some ladies wore flats with a skirt. I wore heels with the previous uniform, and changed into my flats before take off, and sometimes never put my heels on after landing. I rarely wore the skirt in this uniform, as for a start it was short on me as I'm 5'10". My trouser length was called 'non tailored' as mega long. I got them turned up at the hem, but only just, so no shortening of the length.

whatever5 · 15/07/2014 10:16

Whatever
I am also amazed that a minority of posters think it's ok to insist on wearing heels because people don't have to do the job.

I wonder if they would have the same feelings should the job be a profession such as law or medicine. I think not!

Women who work in professions such as law and medicine have the brains to realise that it is not right to insist women to wear heels though and they would kick up a fuss about it.

Original poster
Barbierella · 15/07/2014 10:16

I find it bizarre that in this century and an age where we strive for equality, women are subjected to this sort of norm and pressure. Especially by other women.

You have to ask the question why you think heels are smarter?

The only reason I can think is because they can the shape of our legs. This IMO is no reason to insist on women wearing them to work bearing in mind the impact they have on our bodies.

OP posts:
Longdistance · 15/07/2014 10:18

You were supposed to wear flats for take off and landing just in case of an evacuation. So much easier in flats to do, than in heels. Also, you can damage the slide with your heels.

Original poster
Barbierella · 15/07/2014 10:21

Longdistance

"You were supposed to wear flats for take off and landing just in case of an evacuation."

So, if airlines are going to insist on footwear why not insist both women and men wear flat shoes at all times during work?

OP posts:
Suzannewithaplan · 15/07/2014 10:24

Afaik if you wear heels for long periods your Achilles tendon shortens making it difficult to walk normally, so you end up with a situation where it is easier to walk in heels?

What I notice mostly in women who wear heels is the toe deformities, they are crowded together and crossed over.

OnlyLovers · 15/07/2014 10:29

'airlines don't require women to wear heels for the whole flight.'

Well, that's OK then. How generous of them. Hmm

whatever5 · 15/07/2014 10:47

It's even more ridiculous that airlines insist women wear heels some of the time when it is acknowledged that they can't wear heels to do the most important part of their job.

Longdistance · 15/07/2014 11:05

It was a choice to wear heels, as in optional. The maximum height of the heel was a maximum of 2" iirc. I know some of the older ladies used to prefer to wear flats. No one batted an eyelid.

Original poster
Barbierella · 15/07/2014 12:18

Longdistance

I think some airlines require their staff to wear heels some of the time.

OP posts:
Only1scoop · 15/07/2014 12:22

My employer used to have us in a ground shoe of over 2 inches and a cabin shoe of up to 1 1/2 inches....

Things have changed much over the years as they used to so ground us over a size 14 Hmm

Only1scoop · 15/07/2014 12:23

Should read 'also ground us'

LEMmingaround · 15/07/2014 12:28

Wow that is unbelievable! !! I can't wear heels and im fucking fucked if I would torture myself in order to look "smart" its fucking ridiculous.

Original poster
Barbierella · 15/07/2014 12:38

Wow! Only1scoop, just wow!

OP posts:
Only1scoop · 15/07/2014 12:44

Barb....

I have seen huge changes over the last 20 years but I'm still Shock at some of the discrimination they got away with....

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 15/07/2014 12:47

Someone way back asked what my ideal shoe was....

Right now I am living in Teva Zirra Lites (and have the white stripes on my feet to prove it!) - the soles are quite thick but I can't stand things between my toes which most minimalist sandals have.

Less clement weather VivoBarefoot trainers, I also have Vivobarefoot hiking boots, and VivoBarefoot Mary Jane's for smart.

Can you tell my favoured brand? Grin

I try and get DD minimalist shoes too - Happy Little Soles sell broadly minimalist shoes, but I'll be putting DD in VivoBarefoot too.

Original poster
Barbierella · 15/07/2014 13:04

Laracroft2001

I am wondering if this thread has made you question your thoughts on all your 70 staff being happy to wear their minimum 2 inch heels?

This is a genuine question, not trying to provoke in any way.

OP posts:
laracroft2001 · 15/07/2014 13:13

Hi sorry just come back.

No genuinely not. I think in this industry it is expected and if people genuinely can't wear heels it is not usually a problem

Yes maybe it does say something about society that they think heels look better due to shape of leg etc, but by the same accord men are expected to wear suits at ties in the office,where as I am not. (I am not store based)

I think you have to be reflective of the brand. Eg if my brand was Chanel (it is not) my staff need to reflect this image. Similarly if they were working for Fat Face or such like it would be completely inappropriate to wear heels.

I will say people who can't walk in heels look worse than people who are in flats.
2 inches isn't that high, and M&s do a pair which are very comfortable and are literally the standard buy for this industry. Personally I'm a 4/5 inch girl for work, but at home I'm in flats or trainers!

Original poster
Barbierella · 15/07/2014 13:19

Laracroft

But suits do not harm the health of men.

You seem to be ignoring this point.

OP posts:
OnlyLovers · 15/07/2014 13:23

Quite, Barbierella.

Suzannewithaplan · 15/07/2014 13:25

It's the reluctance to question the assumption assumption that women should be compromised or suffer in some way in order to be attractive.

laracroft2001 · 15/07/2014 13:28

No the original point was regarding discrimination of asking women to wear heels.

As I said, if people genuinely struggle to wear heels it isn't really a problem but a grooming and uniform policy is in place for a reason.

If in my experience there had been lots of people complaining with leg or foot problems then I would perhaps look at it differently, but in my whole career I can only think of 3 people who have had to be out of heels for this reason.

And I appreciate you may think people wont complain, but trust me this is a very high maintenance industry where the girls and boys will happily complain about everything and anything!!

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