Due to popular demand, MPs will now inquire into what you can and can’t be asked to wear at work, including high heels
What you wear to work is about to become a hot topic in parliament, after an inquiry was launched into high heels and workplace dress codes.
The inquiry, which has been launched jointly by the Petitions Committee and the Women and Equalities Committee, has been sparked by a petition started by a receptionist who was sent home from a temp job after she refused to don a pair of high heels.
Have you been made to wear high heels at work? If so, we want to hear from you for our #heelsatworkinquiry https://t.co/4NP2ArVi7r
— Petitions Committee (@HoCpetitions) June 8, 2016
Nicola Thorp's petition on the petition.parliament.uk website quickly gained over 142,000 signatures.
Petitions posted to the website which receive more than 10,000 signatures will get a government response, while those which gain more than 100,000 signatures will be considered for debate in parliament. Past petitions that have been debated in parliament include one to ban US presidential hopeful Donald Trump from the UK.
Blasting current laws for being "out-dated and sexist", Thorp wrote in her petition that "dress code laws should be changed so that women have the option to wear flat formal shoes at work, if they wish".
Thorp was sent home from PwC earlier this year, although she was employed by staffing agency Portico.
Gaenor Bagley, UK head of people at PwC, has since said: "We've had a flexible approach to how our people dress for work in the UK for a number of years – it's important that our people can be themselves at work and that we respect our clients and colleagues. We trust our people to use their judgement on what’s appropriate to wear."