Should a high heels dress code be banned? - BBC News

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen say the devolved nations of the UK should be more specific in legislation on high heels.
They examined research into the physical damage and injury that can be caused, as well as the social and cultural aspects surrounding the wearing of high heels.

[mxar]

I'm not tall but I'd still prefer to wear flat shoes over heels. Why would you force your female employees to wear heels? That's just stupid. Let them wear oxfords or something, those have to be work appropriate enough right?

[justsomekid]

No one should have to wear anything against their will. Madness.

[mahnoorkhan]

Not banned, just made optional. Choice of footwear left to the employee to decide. I actually like wearing heels as opposed to flats.

[tinacris]

YES. Should be optional, not imposed.

[Grelchfurball]

Actually, legislation should be introduced, forcing high heels shoe Manufacturers, to produce more and more medium to wide width shoes. It should solve many foot problems, because most women have medium to wide width feet... Contrary to what the Fashion industry would like women to think...

[AwwesomeVal]

I personally hate high heels and would immediately quit any job that forced me to wear them. Any shoe that can cause pain is not an acceptable requirement. Its like requiring somebody to wear a bra. Seriously. Don't require anyone to wear stuff that is hurting them constantly.

[RichardFanders]

Women should not be forced to wear harmful high heels for their job. The fact they are makes me feel angry with whoever enforces it.

[mielerodriguez]

People should not have to wear anything. High Heels, LGBT badges, anything.

[MinecraftCutiepie]

With my ankle joint problems I can't wear heels at all. Does that mean I wouldn't be able to work a good job in the UK? 🤔

[sarahsmith]

This is he second time a BBC video has had messed up audio. Please fix it.

[LupercalRising]

I can't believe it's still legal

[henryljr]

It's is so unsatisfactory for woman to wear high heels. It's pointless of high heels without any woman consent. If it may not feel comfortable for that gender then that's it. I am sure if you were to be forced to wear high heels you might of obviously decline. I agree that there is not point of including high heels as a part of dress code. As it seems most woman are being uncomfortable with high heels.

[FrostaegisStreams]

wow... this is actually a fairly complex issue that defies common sense. The issue is actually systematic because of customers' perception and company image, which is why dress codes exist, I guess. In a free world where employers can pick their employees, this is not going to go away because they can and technically should discriminate freely to ensure their own success... I mean, even if it were to be made illegal to enforce a dress code on heels, employers could still just pick the potential employees who choose to wear heels, which in turn emphasises that you SHOULD wear heels in the workplace and would make it even more of a social stigma... oh gods, why.... @__@

You could fix it with a ban on heels in the work place, but that would cause trouble for heel suppliers and is actively hurting their business and there are people who generally do enjoy wearing heels, for the other benefits, I doubt anyone enjoys the actual act of wearing heels based off what I hear it's like.

So... in short... you'd have to make it illegal to enforce a dress code, or at least parts of it, and then also ensure that peoples' right to choose is culturally enforced and that heels not be glorified in any way or put massive effort into equalising all women's footwear in a cultural capacity. Fairness is hard... ;___;

And that's just the stuff I can think of, this is why democratic representatives should be paid the big bucks, but only if they actually do their jobs instead of taking bribes and lining their own pockets.

[jmndhgs]

Nanny state, it should be up to the woman.

[jalex]

This doesn't need to be a law. Stop applying at these jobs or better yet, resign from places that enforce such dress codes. No one is forcing you to work/apply there.

[TheMoggiemum]

I don't have anything against dress codes, but you shouldn't have to wear high heels. There are plenty of smart low heeled shoes.

[lizstubbs]

Yes as long shoes are smart I dont see what difference it makes I mean I can wear whatever shoes I want for work but I couldnt wear heels cus of my ankles

[SparrowSun-qhqj]

They should not be banned. They should be optional. But to be perfectly clear - NO woman should HAVE to wear high heels, period.

Airlines are a perfect example. Why should women be subjected to mandatory shoe regulations that are scientifically proven to cause pain such as back injury and arthritis - while the men on that same flight, who are performing the EXACT same job, are allowed to wear shoes that are comfortable and promote good health?

That is a textbook example of sexism.

Why should a female who perhaps is extremely passionate about the airline industry, and who's DREAM it is to work as a flight attendant - ONLY be able to do so at the cost of being in potentially agonising pain? While the males alongside her are privileged to the comfort of regular shoes? Even though they are performing the exact same job?

Obviously we all know the answer. The company WANTS the females working for it to have a higher sex appeal to promote the experience of their airline (Especially to male clients).

Fun fact: in the event of a plane crash, females have to remove their high heels before sliding down the escape slide because of the risk of it LITERALLY TEARING.

That's right everyone! It's more important that the male passengers boarding the flight have sufficient eye candy for the plane ride - rather than prioritising the safety and well being of the female workers - including the safety and wellbeing of literally EVERYBODY on the plan in the event of an EMERGENCY.

[CodeLeeCarter]

I'm like, FUCK, ... my Audio's messed up, ... visit's the sounds tab, ... thinking my Audio has gone to shit!... realises it's the darn BBC and their mind games again!

[saramuhammad]

My feet r flat & cant walk normally but i still wanna wear high heels *i will fight*