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High heels row: Petition for work dress code law rejected | High heels row: Petition for work dress code law rejected |
(35 minutes later) | |
Calls to introduce a new law banning companies from telling women to wear high heels at work have been rejected by the government. | |
The Equalities Office said existing legislation was "adequate" but it would issue guidelines to firms this summer. | |
The issue was debated in Parliament in March after Nicola Thorp, who was sent home for wearing flat shoes, set up a petition with more 152,000 signatures. | The issue was debated in Parliament in March after Nicola Thorp, who was sent home for wearing flat shoes, set up a petition with more 152,000 signatures. |
Miss Thorp said the decision to stop short of a law change was a "cop-out". | |
She began her petition after being told to leave a temp job for refusing to wear a "2-4in heel". | She began her petition after being told to leave a temp job for refusing to wear a "2-4in heel". |
A subsequent parliamentary investigation into heels and company dress codes found "widespread discrimination" in workplaces. | A subsequent parliamentary investigation into heels and company dress codes found "widespread discrimination" in workplaces. |
But Miss Thorp, an equality campaigner from London, said it was a "shame" the law would not be changed. | But Miss Thorp, an equality campaigner from London, said it was a "shame" the law would not be changed. |
"It shouldn't be down to people like myself," she said. "The government should take responsibility and put it in legislation. I do think it is a little bit of a cop-out." | "It shouldn't be down to people like myself," she said. "The government should take responsibility and put it in legislation. I do think it is a little bit of a cop-out." |
Employers 'flout' laws | Employers 'flout' laws |
A government spokesperson said it was already against the law to discriminate on the grounds of gender - but that this could be made "clearer to employers". | |
"It is unacceptable and is against the law," the spokesperson said. "Dress codes must include equivalent requirements for both men and women." | |
On Friday, the government said the law was "adequate" in a formal response to the petition and investigation. | On Friday, the government said the law was "adequate" in a formal response to the petition and investigation. |
It said companies should assess whether their rules are "relevant and lawful". | It said companies should assess whether their rules are "relevant and lawful". |
"But we recognise that some employers lack awareness of the law or even choose to flout it," the government said. | "But we recognise that some employers lack awareness of the law or even choose to flout it," the government said. |
It added: "The Government Equalities Office will be producing guidance on dress codes in the workplace as a specific response to the Thorp petition and the issues it raises." | It added: "The Government Equalities Office will be producing guidance on dress codes in the workplace as a specific response to the Thorp petition and the issues it raises." |
It comes after an investigation by the Petitions Committee and Women and Equalities Committee found "potentially discriminatory dress codes are commonplace". | It comes after an investigation by the Petitions Committee and Women and Equalities Committee found "potentially discriminatory dress codes are commonplace". |
Maria Miller, who chairs the Women and Equalities Committee, said she welcomed the decision to introduce new guidelines. | Maria Miller, who chairs the Women and Equalities Committee, said she welcomed the decision to introduce new guidelines. |
"This petition, and the committees' inquiry, have reinforced the need for effective enforcement of legislation and for employers and employees to be aware of their obligations and rights," she said. | "This petition, and the committees' inquiry, have reinforced the need for effective enforcement of legislation and for employers and employees to be aware of their obligations and rights," she said. |
"We welcome the commitments made by the government to increasing awareness of those rights." | "We welcome the commitments made by the government to increasing awareness of those rights." |
Ms Miller said she hoped the next government, which will be voted in at the election on 8 June, would "monitor how this changes women's experiences of the workplace". | Ms Miller said she hoped the next government, which will be voted in at the election on 8 June, would "monitor how this changes women's experiences of the workplace". |
Helen Jones, who chairs the Petitions Committee, added that Miss Thorp's petition and the resultant investigation had done a "great deal" to raise awareness. | Helen Jones, who chairs the Petitions Committee, added that Miss Thorp's petition and the resultant investigation had done a "great deal" to raise awareness. |
"The government has accepted our recommendation that it should be doing much more to improve understanding among employers and employees alike, to prevent discriminatory practices in the workplace," she said. | "The government has accepted our recommendation that it should be doing much more to improve understanding among employers and employees alike, to prevent discriminatory practices in the workplace," she said. |