British unions set off a heated debate across the nation after passing a motion this week demanding that women have the right to wear comfortable shoes in the workplace.
British unions set off a heated debate across the nation after passing a motion this week demanding that women have the right to wear comfortable shoes in the workplace.
The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists introduced the motion asking employers to work in partnership with trade unions, staff, and local Health and Safety representatives to ensure that proper risk assessments are carried out, and where high heels are deemed a health risk, replaced with comfortable shoes.
That led to a flurry of headlines insisting that the unions were attempting to ban stilettos in the office.
However, society council member Lorraine Jones, explained, "We haven't asked for a ban on stilettos or high heels at all."
She insisted the motion was introduced to give women in certain industries the right to say no to high heels in jobs where they are on their feet for a long time.
Conservative Member of Parliament Nadine Dorries tore into the motion, saying it was intended to cut women like her down to size.
"I'm 5ft 3in and need every inch of my Louboutin heels to look my male colleagues in the eye," she said. "If high heels were banned in Westminster, no one would be able to find me."
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