Dress code woes.

[Workingman]

A young woman lost her job because she refused to wear high heels of between 2-4 inches to work as a receptionist. When she asked if there was a similar dress code for men or if wearing flatter shoes would impair her ability to do the job she was laughed at.

I have some sympathy.

Some dress codes are essential: hard hats; Hi-viz; protective footwear and so on. Others are archaic and little more than control mechanisms.

[Kaz]

I think, in her place, I would have bought a pair of kitten heels and some gel insoles. Some battles aren't worth fighting IMO

[miasmum]

I have complete sympathy for her and no way would I be told what to wear on my feet. Provided she looks smart what the heck does her footwear have to do with it?

We have a new assistant manager at work. Who has decided we have to wear shoes with backs in and no open toes due to health and safety. Could be fun, I don't possess a pair of closed in shoes for summer, I only have fit flops and a pair of sandals. I have worn fit flops for work for the last 4 years so have no intention of changing now. Could be interesting..........

[Workingman]

I would love to see the H&S rule saying that medical receptionist in doctors surgeries have to wear closed heel and toed shoes. I will bet that the assistant wonk cannot provide it.

That sounds more like a control mechanism I mentioned earlier.

[Workingman]

Shelll, I found this

Case 97 - Receptionist enquired if change in footwear policy was a result of new health and safety guidelines

Issue
Receptionists have been told they have to wear safety footwear - steel/plastic capped work shoes to work on reception. Their duties include: answering phones, post, errands, computer use. The enquirer wanted to know if this change in policy was as a result of any new health and safety office guidelines.

Panel decision
There have been no new HSE guidelines issued which go into the specifics of what safety footwear should be worn or where. Whether or not protective footwear is required should be assessed on the basis of risk and this has to be done in the individual workplace. If the employer has recently changed their policy, this should have been properly discussed with employees including explaining the reasons for the change.

and this.

Employers’ duties
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 makes it quite clear that the employer has toprovide a safe working environment. In addition, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also require employers to conduct a suitable and sufficient risk assessment on the health and safety of their workers. If any risks are found then they must be removed or reduced.

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1999 also say that, if a risk has been identified and cannot be controlled any other way, then protective equipment must be provided. This includes footwear. If an employer provides protective equipment, such as footwear, then it must be provided free of charge and there must be instructions on how to use it safely.

I do hope the wonk has carried out a risk assessment and that the surgery is prepared to provide the footwear free of charge or refund costs.

[miasmum]

Thanks for that Frank and I am not even a receptionist, I am secretary so don't even have to go out the front very often.

I shall make a note of that and quote it.

She is a complete control freak, you are right there

Said wonk was walking round with no shoes on at all today. I did make it known to the other assistant manager who feels as I do

[Workingman]

Said wonk was walking round with no shoes on at all today. I did make it known to the other assistant manager who feels as I do

Ah the "do as I say, not as I do" type of wonk.

It does not take long to find them out. Then they get taken down a peg.

[miasmum]

Her stock answer is

'well you must do as you think"

which is very annoying

(Maybe I should add with a look that says, but don't you dare)

[TheOstrich]

Saw this after reading your thread ....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... heels.html

[Kaz]

Nice publicity for her then, can't say I 'clocked' her in Dr Who and we watch regularly

As it happens, it seems the company have climbed down - it was mentioned on Breakfast