Don your runners, mandatory high heels at work should be banned

Wearing high heels to work should never be a prerequisite. We'll keep our work uniform of boots and a breton top, thank you very much. 

However for some women, the inclusion of high heels in their work dress code is a reality. 

Obviously, this makes daily blisters, aching arches and strained calves a regular part of working life. 

 

Calls were made to the UK government back in April to ban the requirement from women's work contracts, but these were rejected. 

One woman who was sent home from work for wearing flat shoes started a petition to have the requirement disbanded, sparking global media attention. 

In 2011, Theresa May even said: 'I have not found that traditional gender-based workplace dress codes have held me back.'

'I indeed believe that they encourage a sense of professionalism in the workplace.'

The University of Aberdeen has conducted further research into the area, and found that there is a risk of injury attached to the persistent wearing of heels. 

The review found that wearing high heels led to an increased risk of bunions, pain and injury.

It failed to find a link between high heel wear and osteoarthritis.

'From our review it is clear that despite the huge amount of evidence showing heels are bad for individuals’ health, there are complex social and cultural reasons that make high heel wearing attractive,' said lead researcher Dr Max Barnish, according to Breaking News.

“We feel the UK Government should follow the lead of other authorities who have introduced specific laws to tackle this practice rather than simply relying on existing legislation which has left the situation in this country uncertain and open to misinterpretation.'

We'll be keeping our runners firmly on our feet, thanks.