TUC warning on footwear requirements

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, said the TUC.