Where do you stand on "High Heels" & The workplace

[fly girl]

You're right, I can. Life isn't fair sometimes. I bet there are things you can do that I can't but I'm not going to cry about it.

This is going nowhere. Have a good night.

 

[fly girl]

You're right, I can. Life isn't fair sometimes. I bet there are things you can do that I can't but I'm not going to cry about it.

Had to add just because we don't see eye to eye doesn't mean I was "crying" about it.

And for the record, I can wear heels on occasion. But I know a lot of women at my job who can't for various reasons, and I understand their issues.

 

[sasywtch]

I feel like we are back in the 50/60's when Laura Petrie had to beg to be able to wear pants on the Dick Van Dyke show. They "allowed" her to wear them in one scene only per show after a few seasons. High heels have long been know to make your leg look longer and sexier. They are not more professional or more put together, they are simply making your leg look longer. There are flat professional shoes that would put the wardrobe together but they want the tall sexier look. Pretty much, that's what they are saying. There are women at my building who wear high heels and they walk funny, they can't take normal steps, they have to watch for any cracks in the sidewalk. Ties and jackets don't run the risk of breaking an ankle. Having to wear a shoe that makes you taller than you normally are is altering your statue and can cause medical conditions. If we were built to walk with our heel up 4 inches from our toes, we would have been built that way but our spine moves with the heel and toe being flat toward the ground with each other. It's sexist

 

[sam_gordon]

Why would anyone apply, much less accept, a job that had ANY requirement that would knowingly cause pain, go against their beliefs, or otherwise require you to "protest" said requirement?

 

[gemini2727]

Why would anyone apply, much less accept, a job that had ANY requirement that would knowingly cause pain, go against their beliefs, or otherwise require you to "protest" said requirement?

But this requirement is for only half of the population. It's not for all employees. That's the problem.

We now know that wearing high heels is bad for you. My mother wore heels all her working life and has had terrible bunions and a hammer toe (not fun.) I'm in healthcare and have worn sneakers and flats almost exclusively, and my feet are fine.

If there were no health implications to wearing heels every day, it would be a similar requirement to wearing a suit and tie, but that's not the case.

 

[mummabear]

Sorry but you can't accept a job knowing the requirements and then decided you don't like them and want them changed. If you don't like the fact that heels, a suit, a tie, short orange shorts, etc. are a requirement of the position, then don't take the position.

So no payrises fom now on?

 

[Chocolate Cake]

Why would anyone apply, much less accept, a job that had ANY requirement that would knowingly cause pain, go against their beliefs, or otherwise require you to "protest" said requirement?

I guess initially, because they really need a job. They want to feed their family and pay their bills. They will do anything/wear anything just to get that job.

And then, let's say a year goes by and they are like "Hey. I am great at this job. I am a smart and confident woman who is doing awesome in this position. But, wow. My back and feet are really starting to hurt. And why is the man in the office next to me not forced to wear shoes that hurt him?"

I think people get braver the longer they are in a job. They recognize inequality and are most likely more apt to speak up when they realize they are doing the same job, but forced to be in pain, while their male co-workers are not.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Why would anyone apply, much less accept, a job that had ANY requirement that would knowingly cause pain, go against their beliefs, or otherwise require you to "protest" said requirement?

Have you ever seen a job posting that includes a heel height requirement?

If you're referring to the original cause of this thread, well, she didn't. Apply for a position where she doesn't comply with the dress code. She works for a temp agency. The place she was sent to work had, then didn't, the heel height requirement.

I can't wear heels. Can't walk in them. Heck, I have trouble walking in flats. I fall or trip, generally on nothing. Back in the 90s, my employer instituted the 2" heel rule for women. Nothing indicated the heels had to be under the wearer's heels. I was all set to break the heels off a pair of cheap shoes, and either glue them to the uppers on my regular shoes or attach them to a chain worn around my neck. On a mire serious note, I did offer to get a letter from my doctor.

The day before the dress code went into effect - and no, it didn't require ties and button-down shirts for men - I was given an exemption.

 

[sam_gordon]

Have you ever seen a job posting that includes a heel height requirement?

If you're referring to the original cause of this thread, well, she didn't. Apply for a position where she doesn't comply with the dress code. She works for a temp agency. The place she was sent to work had, then didn't, the heel height requirement.

I can't wear heels. Can't walk in them. Heck, I have trouble walking in flats. I fall or trip, generally on nothing. Back in the 90s, my employer instituted the 2" heel rule for women. Nothing indicated the heels had to be under the wearer's heels. I was all set to break the heels off a pair of cheap shoes, and either glue them to the uppers on my regular shoes or attach them to a chain worn around my neck. On a mire serious note, I did offer to get a letter from my doctor.

The day before the dress code went into effect - and no, it didn't require ties and button-down shirts for men - I was given an exemption.

I'm assuming at some point, either in the interview or during orientation, there would be mention of a dress code and it's requirements (at least when hired by the company with the dress code).

But you're correct, she was a temp and the company said she didn't have the correct shoes. So then my questions are: Did the temp agency tell the woman what the requirements were before they assigned her? Did the company tell the agency the requirements?

 

[tasha99]

Would she (and others here) be upset if the dress code required ties for guys? What about suit coats? A dress code requiring white dress shirts for men? Sorry, no, requiring heels should not be illegal. Don't like it, don't take the job. Seems pretty simple.

You'd have to look at the entire dress code to see if it's "fair". One element of the dress code doesn't give you the entire story.

I think it should be illegal, but even if not, I would imagine it would only take a couple of workman's comp claims to make businesses rethink their shoe policies. Glad I work in healthcare where everybody wears comfortable shoes on the hospital floor

 

[mummabear]

I'm assuming at some point, either in the interview or during orientation, there would be mention of a dress code and it's requirements (at least when hired by the company with the dress code).

But you're correct, she was a temp and the company said she didn't have the correct shoes. So then my questions are: Did the temp agency tell the woman what the requirements were before they assigned her? Did the company tell the agency the requirements?

The real question is are high heels actually required for any job? The answer is no, they aren't hard hats there is no reason for any company to require workers to wear them.

 

[cords]

Yeah. People don't get jobs for all sorts of reasons. If I don't get hired as a flight attendant because I'm not tall enough to close the overhead bins I'm going to accept it and move on. Let's use the discrimination card for people suffering true discrimination.

Apples and oranges..

Not being able to close the overhead bins is a safety issue and the person cannot complete their job requirements.

A piece of clothing does not affect a person's ability to do their job.

I have no problem with dress codes as long as they are equal, ie dress shoes for both men and women. Business attire for both men and women, if men have to wear suits then it is perfectly ok to tell women they have to wear suits. But to tell one person that they are required to wear a potentially harmful piece of clothing is wrong.

And if nobody ever tried to change things, many advances in today's world would never have been made. There is a long history of people working from the inside to make today's workplaces better than they were 50 years ago.

Of course, if these are required, I may change my mind:

 

[missbrooke06]

I feel like we are back in the 50/60's when Laura Petrie had to beg to be able to wear pants on the Dick Van Dyke show. They "allowed" her to wear them in one scene only per show after a few seasons. High heels have long been know to make your leg look longer and sexier. They are not more professional or more put together, they are simply making your leg look longer. There are flat professional shoes that would put the wardrobe together but they want the tall sexier look. Pretty much, that's what they are saying. There are women at my building who wear high heels and they walk funny, they can't take normal steps, they have to watch for any cracks in the sidewalk. Ties and jackets don't run the risk of breaking an ankle. Having to wear a shoe that makes you taller than you normally are is altering your statue and can cause medical conditions. If we were built to walk with our heel up 4 inches from our toes, we would have been built that way but our spine moves with the heel and toe being flat toward the ground with each other. It's sexist

I find that so strange. I wear heels everywhere, almost everyday. I can and have ran in them (those toddlers are quick at the ballpark). I have a long fast stride in them. Why would you wear shoes you can't walk in? This is why I don't wear tennis shoes - I find them similar to clown shoes for my feet.

 

[AppleDumpling]

The real question is are high heels actually required for any job? The answer is no, they aren't hard hats there is no reason for any company to require workers to wear them.

Only as eye candy for men.

If women want to wear them, that's fine but that is their choice. It's a fashion statement, not a qualification to perform any job that I know of.

 

[Minniesgal]

I honestly can't believe there is anyone on here who would agree with forcing women to wear heels to work! Looks more professional? I don't know any woman who would look at another woman as "unprofessional" if she chose to wear stylish, dressy flats.

Let's be honest, people see heels on a woman as pleasing to the eye, a sign of femininity, which is why I would imagine front of the line workers (receptionists, etc.) would be asked to wear them - gives an attractive first impression. But a requirement? Too far. I'd like to know an intelligent, logical reason why a company (or people here) think that a woman in heels is more professional than a woman in flats - other than "she looks nicer".

Sometimes this message board seems like it's in a time warp.

I have to say I'm a professional woman an engineer but I don't feel properly dressed for work without heels. In fact over the years the more important the meeting I have the higher the heels I tend to wear. To me high heels are as much part of a woman's business dress as a man's tie.

I do feel wearing flats a woman looks much less smartly and professionally dressed in the work environment, in fact I don't find flats smart at all. While I would never force someone else to wear heels I would never entertain going to work myself in flats I'd feel naked and I have the beginnings of arthritis in both feet but I will not let that stop me wearing heels.

 

[mummabear]

Only as eye candy for men.

If women want to wear them, that's fine but that is their choice. It's a fashion statement, not a qualification to perform any job that I know of.

Exactly

 

[Christine]

I have to say I'm a professional woman an engineer but I don't feel properly dressed for work without heels. In fact over the years the more important the meeting I have the higher the heels I ted to wear. To me high heels are as much part of a woman's business dress as a man's tie.

I do feel wearing flats a woman looks much less smartly and professionally dressed in the work environment, in fact I don't find flats smart at all. While I would never force someone else to wear heels I would never entertain going to work myself in flats I'd feel naked and I have the beginnings of arthritis in both feet but I will not let that stop me wearing heels.

Not sure of your age, but you can probably safely bet that it will stop you one day. I am 52 and have worn heels to work all of my life. In my 20s, I wore them full time (walking to the Metro, taking a walk to a restaurant at lunch, and all day in the work place). Probably some time in my 30s, I noticed that my feel didn't feel great in them. So I'd wear flats while driving, too and from the subway, going out to lunch, etc. In my 40s, the pain acclerated. I started with bunions as well as other issues at the joints, probably arthritis too. My heel size has definitely gone down and I can only buy dress shoes (even flats) that have very soft leather or expandable fabric on top. In my 50s, I still wear VERY comfy 2.3/4 heels to meetings and just sitting, but if I have any distance to cover, on go the flats. Every other 50 something woman I know is doing the same thing, if not in full-time flats (with the exception of my cousin who has no problems).

I was one of those women who said "never" to flats but just putting my foot in a 3 inch Naturalizer pump that *should* feel fine gives me AWFUL pain within about 5 minutes due to the pressure on the ball of the foot. I have also said that I would NEVER wear a sneaker with professional attire if I have a long walk, but now I am wondering if I'll have to succumb to that one too! The point is that my feet are aging but I need to work another 10 years. I'd be in big trouble if my employer had that mandate.

But I get what you are saying: I feel like I look a lot better in my heels with my overall outfit. My business clothes are very professional so throwing in a flat with them doesn't make me unprofessional but it certainly changes the look of the outfit and I feel a little "dowdy" sometimes.

 

[Poohforyou]

Only as eye candy for men.

If women want to wear them, that's fine but that is their choice. It's a fashion statement, not a qualification to perform any job that I know of.

"As eye candy for men", seriously???? Heels finish off a professional business outfit for a woman like a tie does for a man. I'm not talking crazy high heels like 4+ inches but rather a conservative 2 inches. Flats just don't have the same affect.

Again, I'm a woman dressing for myself. I've worked in fields that require professional attire, and yes heels were expected. I suppose if someone had a medical condition an exception would have been made but I have no idea. I traveled to/from work in flats so actually walking in heels was pretty minimal.

 

[Minniesgal]

Not sure of your age, but you can probably safely bet that it will stop you one day. I am 52 and have worn heels to work all of my life. In my 20s, I wore them full time (walking to the Metro, taking a walk to a restaurant at lunch, and all day in the work place). Probably some time in my 30s, I noticed that my feel didn't feel great in them. So I'd wear flats while driving, too and from the subway, going out to lunch, etc. In my 40s, the pain acclerated. I started with bunions as well as other issues at the joints, probably arthritis too. My heel size has definitely gone down and I can only buy dress shoes (even flats) that have very soft leather or expandable fabric on top. In my 50s, I still wear VERY comfy 2.3/4 heels to meetings and just sitting, but if I have any distance to cover, on go the flats. Every other 50 something woman I know is doing the same thing, if not in full-time flats (with the exception of my cousin who has no problems).

I was one of those women who said "never" to flats but just putting my foot in a 3 inch Naturalizer pump that *should* feel fine gives me AWFUL pain within about 5 minutes due to the pressure on the ball of the foot. I have also said that I would NEVER wear a sneaker with professional attire if I have a long walk, but now I am wondering if I'll have to succumb to that one too! The point is that my feet are aging but I need to work another 10 years. I'd be in big trouble if my employer had that mandate.

But I get what you are saying: I feel like I look a lot better in my heels with my overall outfit. My business clothes are very professional so throwing in a flat with them doesn't make me unprofessional but it certainly changes the look of the outfit and I feel a little "dowdy" sometimes.

Yeah i am in massive pain too most days and nowadays can't walk nearly as far in heels as I could. I'm almost 49 but totally unready to admit defeat. I'd rather limp ;-)

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

There is no comparison between high heels and a tie. I've worn ties plenty in my lifetime. For one thing, they don't lead to any long term health problems even if worn all day every day. They don't cause pain, they don't contribute to injury. They're a bit uncomfortable at worst, and that can be said for the vast majority of stuffy businesswear.

Literally the only thing heels do is make a woman's legs look more "sexy" - that should not be a professional concern. A pair of dressy black flats looks fine with business attire on women and is perfectly comparable to a man wearing a suit and tie with dress shoes. Which would be flat.