Forced to wear high heels by your employer?
A female temporary worker in England was sent home after she refused to wear high heels on the job.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces employment discrimination in the United States, states that “an employer may establish a dress code which applies to all employees or employees within certain job categories,” with exceptions made for a person’s ethnicity, religion or disability. Dress code restrictions can’t burden one gender more than the other.
This year the province of British Columbia passed a law (amendment to the Workers Compensation Act) banning mandatory high heels in the workplace. Besides discrimination, wearers of high heels are at higher risk of injury and the damage that comes from prolonged wear.
Surprisingly, many airlines prohibit female flight attendants from wearing flat shoes when walking through the airport. For example, American Airlines requires at least a half-inch heel on their commute to and from the plane. United Airlines requires at least an inch. Male flight crew, however, may wear flat shoes at all times.
If you are injured from high heels and need an evaluation or treatment, call (847) 675-3400 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Steven Miller as soon as possible.