London receptionist sent home without pay for refusing to wear heels

darkpagandeath · 12-05-2016 07:01PM

Aidric wrote: »

There has been a lot of laughable contributions in this thread but this tops the lot.

I've worked in a large US corporation for the last 5 years and we actively discourage women from wearing high heels in the office. You are working in a corporate environment, not a night club.

Maybe people need to learn what 2 inch is ? They did not request 6 inch stilettos.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 12-05-2016 07:07PM

Two inch heels are still a mighty pain by the end of the day

ceadaoin. · 12-05-2016 07:09PM

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Maybe people need to learn what 2 inch is ? They did not request 6 inch stilettos.

Maybe some people need to walk around for a day in 2-4 inch heels and then see if they feel the same way about women being forced to wear them.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 12-05-2016 07:10PM

ceadaoin. wrote: »

Maybe some people need to walk around for a day in 2-4 inch heels and then see if they feel the same way about women being forced to wear them.

Yeah but ties are annoying when it's warm so it's fine

darkpagandeath · 12-05-2016 07:11PM

ceadaoin. wrote: »

Maybe some people need to walk around for a day in 2-4 inch heels and then see if they feel the same way about women being forced to wear them.

Who forced her to wear the shoes ? She had the option not to and took it. She did not like the dress code of the job and left.

XR3i · 12-05-2016 07:14PM

what about the woman from kerry who wore wellingtons to her wedding

Aongus Von Bismarck · 12-05-2016 07:25PM

A company dress code is a company dress code. While I'll agree that this particular rule seems overly petty; you do have to have standards. If you want to wear flip-flops, harem pants and a Che Guevara t-shirt then get a job selling dream catchers at the Galway Market.

We have a formal dress code here at the bank. I'll always wear a suit, shirt, tie and plain toe oxford shoes. A pocket square is optional. We did have an issue with the dress code of a number of the deskside support IT people, but this was resolved after a number of complaints. A cheap shirt and ill-fitting trousers mightn't be great, but it is a damn sight better than combats, converse runners and a Rammstein t-shirt.

Butters1979 · 12-05-2016 07:40PM

henryporter wrote: »

KantPiddleMaGee, Detoilets and that Ernt and NotSoYoung crowd ( + PWC = the Big 4)

Is there a reason you are calling them names like a 6 year old? Have you really any idea what those companies do? Or do you just like wailing against big coporate because you saw a few YouTube documentaries.

Back on topic. Temp doesn't like the dress code, tell them to ****off.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 12-05-2016 07:46PM

Brendan Lively Photocopier wrote: »

Two inch heels are still a mighty pain by the end of the day

With all due respect it depends on the woman. My feet hurt me more in ballet flats at the end of the day than they would in 3inch heels.

Capt'n Midnight · 12-05-2016 07:47PM

Alf Stewart. wrote: »

Her boss has a black sole.

Would that make the boss a cad, a bounder or a heel ?

gctest50 · 12-05-2016 07:49PM

Butters1979 wrote: »

Is there a reason you are calling them names like a 6 year old? Have you really any idea what those companies do? Or do you just like wailing against big coporate because you saw a few YouTube documentaries.

Back on topic. Temp doesn't like the dress code, tell them to ****off.

No, instead of acting like a 6year old and telling the "temp" to f*** off , consider the temps legit objection :

"can perform better in flatter tidy shoes"

and act on it.

That woman has just increased productivity and happiness by a significant amount if you add up all the companies

Butters1979 · 12-05-2016 07:56PM

gctest50 wrote: »

No, instead of acting like a 6year old and telling the "temp" to f*** off , consider the temps legit objection :

"can perform better in flatter tidy shoes"

and act on it.

That woman has just increased productivity and happiness by a significant amount if you add up all the companies

I think telling someone to ****off and lose their job because they refuse the dress code is a lot more of an adult response to an adult situation than a 6 year old. Don't confuse disagreeing with your SJW crusade with maturity. I seriously doubt the temp was concerned that the high heels would impact how she could perform for the company. Walking to a meeting room is walking to a meeting room. This isn't 6 sigma. Are the companies struggling with massive bottlenecks of people waiting to be walked to a meeting room, grinding the economy to a halt, and this woman has the answer. Stop acting like she's just become business woman of the year.

This thread asked for opinion on the subject. Here's mine. You don't like the offices dress code don't work for them. You don't like what the company does, like fracking, nuclear power or guiding missiles for the military don't work for them. Work for a company you agree with and don't expect the world to bend to your whim because you're not in high demand as an employee.

maudgonner · 12-05-2016 08:03PM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

With all due respect it depends on the woman. My feet hurt me more in ballet flats at the end of the day than they would in 3inch heels.

Possibly because you are so used to wearing heels - eventually your tendons & ligaments stretch so that being flat for long periods isn't comfortable. And ballet flats aren't really a good choice for extended wear since they have basically no support at all.

But that's the point - if you're comfortable wearing heels that's fine, it should be your choice. But nobody should be forced to wear them if they don't want to.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 12-05-2016 08:03PM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

With all due respect it depends on the woman. My feet hurt me more in ballet flats at the end of the day than they would in 3inch heels.

It does but I'd say you're decidedly in the minority to be fair

darkpagandeath · 12-05-2016 08:04PM

maudgonner wrote: »

Possibly because you are so used to wearing heels - eventually your tendons & ligaments stretch so that being flat for long periods isn't comfortable. And ballet flats aren't really a good choice for extended wear since they have basically no support at all.

But that's the point - if you're comfortable wearing heels that's fine, it should be your choice. But nobody should be forced to wear them if they don't want to.

Who is being forced now ??? What are people imagining 2 men holding this person down strapping shoes to her ? Don't like the dress code don't work for the company.

Capt'n Midnight · 12-05-2016 08:04PM

blue note wrote: »

I think the Swiss Guards uniform is stupid.

Have you seen the Greek one ?

Yer men wearing dresses and mad pompoms on the shoes and doing full on Ministry of Silly Walks.

There's no way I ever wear either of those uniforms, mainly because those guys are serious business.

12Phase · 12-05-2016 08:09PM

I wonder if there's a case for compensation claims based on compulsory high heels. They are known to cause foot problems and it's one thing if someone decides to wear them knowing the risks.

Being compelled to wear them could make for an interesting compensation claim...

maudgonner · 12-05-2016 08:09PM

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Who is being forced now ??? What are people imagining 2 men holding this person down strapping shoes to her ? Don't like the dress code don't work for the company.

Which is exactly what she did. But I don't think anyone should be forced to wear heels in order to keep their job, I don't think any company should include that in their dress code. I find them uncomfortable and I'm clearly not alone.

And yes, I do think it's sexist. I don't agree that high heels make a woman look professional. I think they make a woman look glamorous, maybe sexy - and I don't think that should be a requirement in a professional setting. And as for flight attendants having to wear heels, that's absolutely ludicrous.

genericguy · 12-05-2016 08:10PM

AnonoBoy wrote: »

The way Michael Hutchence used to wear them they were.

Excellent 10/10

Butters1979 · 12-05-2016 08:12PM

gctest50 wrote: »

No, instead of acting like a 6year old and telling the "temp" to f*** off , consider the temps legit objection :

"can perform better in flatter tidy shoes"

and act on it.

That woman has just increased productivity and happiness by a significant amount if you add up all the companies

Here's something to consider. What if, amongst those guests that she has to walk to a meeting room, is another woman who is wearing high heels?

Do they make her remove them, as this is drastically impacting the new productivity program this entrepreneur has implemented , or do they suffer the impact? Revising profit projections and revealing the loss from the incident at their next shareholders meeting.

gctest50 · 12-05-2016 08:14PM

Butters1979 wrote: »

I think telling someone to ****off and lose their job because they refuse the dress code is a lot more of an adult response to an adult situation than a 6 year old. Don't confuse disagreeing with your SJW crusade with maturity. I seriously doubt the temp was concerned that the high heels would impact how she could perform for the company. Walking to a meeting room is walking to a meeting room. This isn't 6 sigma. Are the companies struggling with massive bottlenecks of people waiting to be walked to a meeting room, grinding the economy to a halt, and this woman has the answer. Stop acting like she's just become business woman of the year.

This thread asked for opinion on the subject. Here's mine. You don't like the offices dress code don't work for them. You don't like what the company does, like fracking, nuclear power or guiding missiles for the military don't work for them. Work for a company you agree with and don't expect the world to bend to your whim because you're not in high demand as an employee.

Well, she's not as feeble :

She is getting it debated in parliament :

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/129823

"It's still legal in the UK for a company to require female members of staff to wear high heels at work against their will. Dress code laws should be changed so that women have the option to wear flat formal shoes at work, if they wish. Current formal work dress codes are out-dated and sexist. "

darkpagandeath · 12-05-2016 08:15PM

maudgonner wrote: »

Which is exactly what she did. But I don't think anyone should be forced to wear heels in order to keep their job, I don't think any company should include that in their dress code. I find them uncomfortable and I'm clearly not alone.

And yes, I do think it's sexist. I don't agree that high heels make a woman look professional. I think they make a woman look glamorous, maybe sexy - and I don't think that should be a requirement in a professional setting. And as for flight attendants having to wear heels, that's absolutely ludicrous.

Explain the sexist angle. These shoes are not regularly associated with men or men wearing them. I fail to see the sex issue. All I see is an employee not wanting to adhere to this companies dress code.

12Phase · 12-05-2016 08:17PM

maudgonner wrote: »

Which is exactly what she did. But I don't think anyone should be forced to wear heels in order to keep their job, I don't think any company should include that in their dress code. I find them uncomfortable and I'm clearly not alone.

And yes, I do think it's sexist. I don't agree that high heels make a woman look professional. I think they make a woman look glamorous, maybe sexy - and I don't think that should be a requirement in a professional setting. And as for flight attendants having to wear heels, that's absolutely ludicrous.

Not to mention they flight attendants are supposed to be able to deal with security and accidents and emergencies, including evacuation via an inflatable slide ...

Honestly when you get on a flight mostly you just care about getting a seat that doesn't involve having your knees jammed into someone else's back, edible food and crew that are actually friendly helps a lot.

A completly unhelpful battle axe (male or female) with a personality bypass is not improved by putting them on a pair of stilettos !

maudgonner · 12-05-2016 08:18PM

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Explain the sexist angle. These shoes are not regularly associated with men or men wearing them. I fail to see the sex issue. All I see is an employee not wanting to adhere to this companies dress code.

I believe they are part of the dress code not to make a woman look professional, but to make her look glamorous and sexy. I don't believe there is any part of the male dress code designed to achieve the same effect. It's not the incident that's sexist, it's the dress code and the attitude behind it.

darkpagandeath · 12-05-2016 08:21PM

maudgonner wrote: »

I believe they are part of the dress code not to make a woman look professional, but to make her look glamorous and sexy. I don't believe there is any part of the male dress code designed to achieve the same effect.

A Suit... Clean shaven, No scruffy haircuts. No visible Tattoos. Plenty.

maudgonner · 12-05-2016 08:21PM

darkpagandeath wrote: »

A Suit... Clean shaven, No scruffy haircuts. No visible Tattoos. Plenty.

None of those are designed to make a man look glamorous or sexy. And they apply to the women as well (with the possible exception of clean shaven).

darkpagandeath · 12-05-2016 08:26PM

maudgonner wrote: »

None of those are designed to make a man look glamorous or sexy. And they apply to the women as well (with the possible exception of clean shaven).

It's presenting an image. I would like you to point out the part of the contract that stated wearing high heals was to make the employee look sexy/Glamorous. That's people putting their own opinions on the situation. Do people have a problem with being told to smile now as well ? Or don't shout at customers ?

Billy86 · 12-05-2016 08:28PM

On one hand, it's bullsh*t.

On another hand, if this was a man and a tie it would not have made headlines in my opinion, and probably happens quite regularly. I used to work in the AA (the insurance one) and if you didn't have a suit and tie on -and your top button up- they had clown ties they forced you to wear. Keep in mind that this was in a call centre where no customers would ever even lay eyes on you, and the staff in the Drury street office by South William & Georges/Aungier Street were the especially to deal with the public face-to-face.

Meanwhile the women in the office were allowed wear tracksuit bottoms and such, so long as they didn't overdo it.

maudgonner · 12-05-2016 08:29PM

darkpagandeath wrote: »

It's presenting an image. I would like you to point out the part of the contract that stated wearing high heals was to make the employee look sexy. That people putting their own opinions on the situation.

Are you serious? You think that if something isn't spelled out in a contract it doesn't exist? Something that if it were put in a contract, would get them sued faster than the ink could dry?

You're clearly grasping at straws.

darkpagandeath · 12-05-2016 08:33PM

maudgonner wrote: »

Are you serious? You think that if something isn't spelled out in a contract it doesn't exist? Something that if it were put in a contract, would get them sued faster than the ink could dry?

You're clearly grasping at straws.

But I'm not though am I, It's merely a dress code. People are grasping their own set of straws implying it's to make the woman a glamour model. Or look like a stripper in stilettos.

London receptionist sent home without pay for refusing to wear heels

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