Office sent me home after I refused to wear heels
A RECEPTIONIST was sent home on her first day of a new job when she refused to wear high heels.
Nicola Thorp, 27, arrived for the temp role at a London office of accountancy firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers in black flat shoes.
She said she was given a uniform but told to go out and buy heels – and was ‘laughed at’ when she questioned the ‘sexist’ dress code.
Portico, which provides receptionists for PwC, defended its policy saying its ‘appearance guidelines’ ensure staff are dressed consistently.
But Miss Thorp says the dress code discrinatory, and has launched a petition calling for it to be made illegal to require women to wear heels at work.
The drama school graduate, who has appeared in Doctor Who, took the Portico job in December.
She claimed she was also told she must wear ‘acceptable shades’ of make-up.
‘I was wearing smart black shoes, but they said they had a policy that all women had to wear high heels at reception,’ she said.
‘They said I could go out and buy a pair of two to four-inch heels or go home … When I refused to wear them they laughed at me.
I pointed out that I felt discriminated against and I left feeling upset and confused.
‘Portico told me I could wear trousers, but that the client prefers it if you wear a skirt.’
Miss Thorp’s online campaign was joined by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s outspoken daughter, Katharine Welby-Roberts, 29, who re-posted a Twitter message urging users to sign the petition. It had gathered more than 45,000 signatures last night.
The Government responds to those that reach 10,000, but if a petition receives 100,000 signatures, it is considered for a debate in Parliament.
Law firm Thompsons said employers can dismiss staff who do not abide by a ‘reasonable’ dress code, as long as they are given enough time to buy the right attire.
There can be separate codes for men and women but only if these have an ‘equivalent level of smartness’. PwC said the dress code in question was not its company policy and said it was discussing the guidelines with Portico.
Miss Thorp, who lives in Hackney, east London, said she identified as a feminist, adding: ‘I defy anyone to give me a reason as to why it’s beneficial to wear high heels.
‘I don’t think it affects my job or how smart I was looking… These dress codes are in place because of old-fashioned stereotypes … People say heels are more feminine, but why should I need to express my gender at work?
‘People have said to me before they just need someone pretty for people to look at in reception … Things need to change.’
The TUC’s general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said the claims ‘reeked of sexism’, adding: ‘High heels should be a choice not a requirement.’
Simon Pratt, Portico managing director, said Miss Thorp had worn ‘inappropriate’ footwear and that she chose to leave after declining to ‘source alternative shoes’.
He added: ‘It is common practice within the service sector to have appearance guidelines … We have taken on board the comments regarding footwear and will be reviewing our guidelines.’
The row follows that of a waitress who claims Canadian chain Joey made her wear heels, despite her saying they caused her feet to bleed so much that she lost a toenail.
Her friend Nicola Gavins posted a photo of the unnamed woman’s feet on Facebook, where it was shared more than 11,000 times.
‘Old-fashioned stereotypes’