UNION leaders kicked up a fuss over high heels yesterday by demanding women should be allowed to wear “sensible” shoes to work.
Delegates at the TUC Cong-ress in Liverpool called on employers to carry out a risk assess-ment because of the health and safety hazards of high-heeled shoes.
Lorraine Jones, of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, said women shopworkers, cabin crew and other employees had to wear high heels as part of a dress code, but it did not apply to men. Ms Jones, a practising podiatrist, said that seven times as much pressure was put on the ball of a foot by someone who was wearing high heels.
She said women workers suffered short-term health problems by wear-ing high heels but could also suffer longer-term injuries to their knees.
She said: “We are not trying to ban high heels – they are good for glamming up.
“Women should have a choice of wearing more comfortable shoes.”
