Drop ‘inappropriate’ footwear codes and reduce back and foot problems, says TUC
August 12th 2008

The TUC has called for employers to drop “inappropriate” requirements for workers to wear uncomfortable or dangerous footwear.

A new TUC guide Working feet and footwear found that while many employers allow employees to wear healthy and safe footwear, a number of big city institutions and upmarket shops insist female staff who deal with the public wear slip-on shoes or high heels as part of a dress code. This can lead to long-term foot problems, especially when combined with prolonged standing.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “When researching case studies for the guide on footwear we were surprised how many times we found that employers’ dress codes did not permit the wearing of comfortable sensible footwear by women.

“Heels may look glamorous on the catwalks and on Hollywood stars, but they’re not appropriate for day-to-day work wear. These dress codes – apart from being blatantly sexist – can lead to long-term foot and back problems as women are forced to stand or walk around in high heels or ill-fitting footwear.

“Feet bear the brunt of the daily working life and instead of worrying about what their staff look like, employers should focus on the effect that the wrong shoes and prolonged standing can have. Employers should look at encouraging their staff to come to work in comfortable shoes and, where possible, provide the option of sitting.”

Many problems are caused by inadequate footwear. Work in any environment where there is a risk of slipping requires slip-resistant shoes. Where there is the risk of a shoe being crushed or hit by an object, or even caught in machinery, safety footwear must be provided. If there is the possibility of standing on nails or other sharp objects then the employer must provide puncture resistant soles.

The TUC believes that workers should be able to wear the footwear that is appropriate to their occupation, working environment, and feet. That means employers should ensure that the risk assessment they have to do by law includes risks to the feet as well as slipping risks. If safety or special footwear is required they must supply it at no cost to the worker.

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