These Women Were Forced To Wear Heels To Work & The Result Was Disastrous

Women have a love-hate relationship with heels, so thankfully, there are plenty of other footwear options for those days when sporting six inch Louboutin stems sounds a death sentence. But what if I were to tell you that some companies are making high heels a mandatory part of their dress code policy?

I mean, I get it—dress codes can make-or-break certain professions where image is key. For example,  it's vital my lawyer look prof, because I doubt the judge will take pity on me for stealing Sephora's liquid eye-liner ($42, get real) if he's dressed like "The Dude" from "The Big Lebowski." But, according to the American Osteopathic Association, wearing heels can have serious short and long-term side effects on the entire body—now, that's not something you'd read in relation to a man's tie or sport coat. Aside from running the risk of falling or walking like someone who's just experienced anal beads for the first time, wearing heels for extended periods of time is simply bad for your health. Need proof? Check out these true stories from women forced to wear heels at the workplace—every single day. Trust, you're going to want to slip on a pair of Uggs. 

That's a great question! Who knew that wearing stilettos was something included in the job description of a receptionist at a financial firm. When temp worker Nicola Thorp arrived at PwC, a London-based finance company, she was told wearing shoes with a 2-4 inch heel was a mandatory requirement. She refused to comply with the rule and asked her employers to give a reason as to why wearing flats would impair her ability to do her job—the company had no reply to her question and sent her home.

The unnamed server's experience was shared by Nicola Gavins , friend of the waitress, who posted an image of her pal's bleeding feet. Nicola posted that the restaurant's policy is, "still that female staff wear heels unless medically restricted—but my friend's feet were bleeding to the point she lost a toe nail, yet she was still discouraged and berated by the shift manager for changing into flats."

I'm so glad you asked because YOU BET! In fact, when Thorp refused and complained male colleagues were not asked to do the same, she was sent home without pay. Thorp also asked if a man would be expected to do the same shift in heels, and was laughed at.

There's no question that this kind of policy is a double standard. Whether or not it's customary for men to wear high heels is not the question—but why men aren't asked to wear something as equally uncomfortable and physically inhibiting is. Since the use of heels is purely cosmetic and certainly not an attribution to functionality or productivity, it's absolute bull shit that this policy still exists for women alone. 

According to Dr. Natalie A. Nevins , DO, an osteopathic physician from Hollywood, California, "Extended wear of high heels and continually bending your toes into an unnatural position can cause a range of ailments, from ingrown toenails to irreversible damage to leg tendons. Additionally, cramming your toes into a narrow toe box can cause nerve damage and bunions." 

She notes that with a heel two inches or higher, your foot will slide forward in your shoe, which forces the toes into an unnatural shape. This also leads to unnatural weight distribution which can lead to strain on the hips, knees, and lower back.

I fail to see a reason in which we should expect employees to endure physical pain for cosmetic purposes. Oh, I also fail to understand why these harmful standards are solely designated to women. In fact, I'm quite certain every woman can do their job just as well, if not exponentially better (and probably with a much nicer attitude) wearing flats.