September 24, 2009
High Heals Risky for Women’s Health, Say Experts
A recently held Trades Union Congress (TUC) meeting saw the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists put forward a motion demanding the assessment of risks associated with wearing high heels at workplaces. The motion also urged all employers to impose an immediate ban on all policies that made the wearing of high-heeled shoes by women mandatory.
Lorraine Jones of the Society noted that many retail sector bosses force women workers to wear high heels as part of their dress code and urged them to allow women to choose their dresses. The motion said about two million days are lost per year as workers suffer from limb disorders and stay away from work. It revealed that joint and limb problems are often caused by the constant use of high heels and that the National Health Service (NHS) spends millions of pounds every year to treat foot disorders.
However, Lorraine Monk of the University and College Union (UCU) opposed the motion saying the media will portray it as an act of fashion policing, even though its intention is the welfare of women workers. She questioned why the motion only imposes regulations on women while leaving men free to do whatever they like.
She pointed out that the dress codes were always framed by men and narrated a case, which was successfully fought by her union, involving a mandate in a college that had banned all sleeveless and short-sleeved dresses for women lectures.
Monk said the issue of high heels was one that had women divided for and against it, and suggested that the union should rather take up the matter of all improper dresses at workplace. She also said that heels represented a much wider debate on gender roles and therefore should be left aside.
She called for a debate on the women

