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

[Barbierella]

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.

Barbierella - genuinely wasn't written in a dismissive tone, apologies if it came across like that

And the broken foot incident is obviously outrageous

I personally feel like we should fight the rule because it's ridiculous. Apparently it makes us give better service but I find that very hard to believe.

And I don't think it should be a case of put up and shut up because it wasn't a rule when we started it's something they've brought in since.

Lara are you seriously more bothered about damage to your staff's hair than their spines?

Stealth - of course not. I was pointing out some of the silly rules some brands do have that are implemented very strictly.

Lara
I think the point is that many of us think that stipulating wearing bun's is silly but just silly not dangerous. However, you seem to agree with stipulating "minimum 2 inch heel" for you staff for a working day on their feet. To many of us this not so much silly as a health hazard.

On the recent programme about BA, the air hostesses had to wear heels to walk through the airport and on to the plane, the once on the plane they had to wear flat shoes.
However I do wonder about their make up policy though, I am surprised that hasn't been challenged in court-maybe it has? Off to google it!

Not sure I like the insinuation that shop staff etc are not intelligent enough to challenge sexist footwear rules, whereas doctors and lawyers are.

I recently saw what I assumed was a female pilot at Manchester airport. I noticed her because she appeared to be young and petite and wearing a pilots uniform and I think flat sensible shoes. It was one of those 'don't police officers look young these days' type moments that made me feel old.

Interesting to note that female cabin crew are supposed to wear flat shoes. In my experience they usually seem to wear those quite ugly medium heeled dark court shoes.

Is totally unacceptable to have a uniform standard including high heeled shoes for women only especially in jobs when they are on their feet all day.

Not sure I like the insinuation that shop staff etc are not intelligent enough to challenge sexist footwear rules, whereas doctors and lawyers are

isnt it more that people in senior potions are less likely to feel their jobs are under threat and generally have more clout when it comes to challenging rules?

lara I'm still not sure exactly what your industry is. However I know since starting to post on here that clothes, shoes and frivolous shopping are far more important to me than they are to many members. I spend a lot on clothes and shoes and have no qualms about spending large amounts on individual items.

What really puzzles me about your posts is the idea that being stylish/well -dressed/well groomed needs a high heel. To me that seems a weird anachronism and to be honest a bit lacking in imagination as to what constitutes being genuinely stylish. I'm impressed if an assistant looks good in the shop's stock and is knowledgeable and interested in what she's selling, whether she's wearing ballet flats or heels is beyond irrelevant.

Reading your posts I'm finding it difficult not to picture the Arabella Weir perfume and make up lady from The Fast Show.

I think there are two points

1. We think of ourselves as liberated women and are quick to question other countries customs in regard to dress and sexism but we in fact need to question some of own customs in regard to dress. Not just shoes.

2. I have come to the conclusion that I am now sure it is discriminatory to insist women wear high heels and hope that women start to challenge this.

you shouldn't be allowed to ask people who stand a lot to where uncomfortable footwear. I don't know if discriminatory is the right word. I'd be against it if they made men do it too.