You must wear shoes with heels 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) high at all times when you are at work. You must wear make-up and regularly re-apply it.
You must wear tights, but not opaque ones.
Those were some of the rules in a dress code imposed by a British recruitment agency on its female workers before one of them, Nicola Thorp, refused to wear high heels one morning and was sent home without pay.
After Thorp, 27, started a petition against compulsory high heels on parliament's website that garnered 152,420 signatures, her rebellion became a national talking-point and led to an inquiry by lawmakers into workplace dress codes in Britain.
They reported on Wednesday that sexist dress codes were rife in some industries and women were routinely being forced to wear high heels in jobs where they were on their feet all day and their shoes were causing them pain and health problems.
"This may have started over a pair of high heels, but what it has revealed about discrimination in the UK workplace is vital," said Thorp, commenting on the report.
Under Britain's equality law, company dress codes must make equivalent requirements for women and men, but the lawmakers said breaches of the law were widespread in sectors including hotels, travel, temporary work agencies, hospitality and retail.
The report said women facing discriminatory dress codes tended to be young and in low-paid jobs with precarious contracts, making it difficult for them to challenge company practices.
It called on the government to take urgent action including raising financial penalties against employers found to be in breach of the law, and promotion of awareness campaigns targeted at companies, workers and students.
The lawmakers set up an online forum for one week in June last year, and 730 people came forward with stories.
While high heels were the most prominent issue, the lawmakers also heard from women who had been required by companies to dye their hair blonde or wear revealing outfits.
"I came in one morning and my manager was cracking down on uniform and informed me that I had to look 'sexy', which entailed wearing heels," wrote one retail worker, who gave her name as Jasmine.
Jasmine complied, but her job involved standing and walking all day and she found high heels extremely painful.
"When I asked my manager if it would be OK if I changed to flats she replied saying 'what girl can't wear heels?' and continued to tell me I was being pathetic," she wrote.
Reuters
Wed Jan 25 2017
![Wear high heels or go home - UK report finds sexist dress codes rife Wear high heels or go home - UK report finds sexist dress codes rife](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-01/81485348738_heelshighheels.jpg)
A model presents a shoes creation by American designer Adam Andrascik as part of his Spring/Summer 2017 women's ready-to-wear collection for fashion house Guy Laroche during Fashion Week in Paris, France last Sept. - Photo Reuters/Gonzalo Fuentes
![Bapa bunuh anak tiri, Mahkamah Persekutuan kekal hukuman mati Bapa bunuh anak tiri, Mahkamah Persekutuan kekal hukuman mati](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721123316_TBMahkamah.jpg)
Bapa bunuh anak tiri, Mahkamah Persekutuan kekal hukuman mati
Mahkamah Persekutuan di sini hari ini mengekalkan hukuman gantung sampai mati terhadap seorang bapa yang membunuh anak tiri lelakinya yang berusia enam tahun, 13 tahun lepas.
![Malaysia akan terajui pembangunan pusat data bagi suku ketiga 2024 - Juwai IQI Malaysia akan terajui pembangunan pusat data bagi suku ketiga 2024 - Juwai IQI](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/71694408676_smartcity.jpg)
Malaysia akan terajui pembangunan pusat data bagi suku ketiga 2024 - Juwai IQI
Prestasi ekonomi Malaysia yang teguh membantu melonjakkan permintaan dalam industri pusat data.
![Jokowi ke Abu Dhabi untuk perbincangan dengan Presiden UAE mengenai kerjasama Jokowi ke Abu Dhabi untuk perbincangan dengan Presiden UAE mengenai kerjasama](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/41660792602_jokowi.jpg)
Jokowi ke Abu Dhabi untuk perbincangan dengan Presiden UAE mengenai kerjasama
Presiden Jokowi dijadual bertemu rakan sejawatannya dari UAE pada 17 Julai.
![Tiga jurusolek lelaki berperwatakan wanita didakwa rompak rakan Tiga jurusolek lelaki berperwatakan wanita didakwa rompak rakan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-01/81673948647_TBGAVEL.jpg)
Tiga jurusolek lelaki berperwatakan wanita didakwa rompak rakan
Kesemua mereka dakwa mengikut Seksyen 395 Kanun Keseksaan yang membawa hukuman penjara maksimum 20 tahun dan boleh dikenakan denda dan sebat, jika sabit kesalahan.
![Timbalan Speaker Dewan Rakyat buat laporan polis berkaitan hasutan, fitnah di Facebook Timbalan Speaker Dewan Rakyat buat laporan polis berkaitan hasutan, fitnah di Facebook](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/61686778902_RamliMohdNor.jpg)
Timbalan Speaker Dewan Rakyat buat laporan polis berkaitan hasutan, fitnah di Facebook
Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor mendapati hantaran pemilik akaun itu sangat tidak berasas dan tidak bertanggungjawab.
AWANI Ringkas: Pan-Gon letak jawatan | Ini pandangan peribadi
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
![Agong berkenan berangkat ke pra-Mesyuarat Majlis Raja-Raja ke-266 Agong berkenan berangkat ke pra-Mesyuarat Majlis Raja-Raja ke-266](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721119877_SultanIbrahim.jpg)
Agong berkenan berangkat ke pra-Mesyuarat Majlis Raja-Raja ke-266
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim berkenan berangkat ke pra-Mesyuarat Majlis Raja-Raja (MRR) ke-266 di Istana Negarahari ini.
![Status ADUN Rembia: DUN Melaka tunggu surat rasmi Status ADUN Rembia: DUN Melaka tunggu surat rasmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721108165_ADUNRembiaPN.jpg)
Status ADUN Rembia: DUN Melaka tunggu surat rasmi
Speaker DUN Melaka, Datuk Ibrahim Durum berkata, setakat ini pihaknya belum dimaklumkan secara rasmi dan perbincangan berhubung perkara itu akan diadakan.
![Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721119130_wargaemasbersalah.jpg)
Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar
Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini mensabitkan kesalahan seorang warga emas atas dua pertuduhan pindaan membunuh abang dan kakak iparnya dua tahun lalu.
![PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721120782_TBMASERMIEYATI.jpg)
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan
Mas Ermieyati Samsudin berkata tempoh itu diberikan susulan laporan audit berkaitan, baru dibentangkan pada minggu lepas.
![[KOLUMNIS] 150 tahun Perjanjian Pangkor: Detik hitam tergadainya tanah air [KOLUMNIS] 150 tahun Perjanjian Pangkor: Detik hitam tergadainya tanah air](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-04/81585806256_KualaLumpurCity.jpg)
[KOLUMNIS] 150 tahun Perjanjian Pangkor: Detik hitam tergadainya tanah air
Tanggal 20 Januari 1874 bukanlah suatu tarikh yang patut rakyat Malaysia rayakan tetapi sekurang-kurangnya diingati sebagai pedoman agar kedaulatan negara tidak tergadai lagi.
![PRU15: Kami bukan 'produk pelancongan', kami sebahagian arkitek pembentukan Malaysia - Presiden Baba Nyonya PRU15: Kami bukan 'produk pelancongan', kami sebahagian arkitek pembentukan Malaysia - Presiden Baba Nyonya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-10/71667035267_BabaNyonya.jpg)
PRU15: Kami bukan 'produk pelancongan', kami sebahagian arkitek pembentukan Malaysia - Presiden Baba Nyonya
Sumbangan yang diberikan oleh kaum itu dalam pembentukan Malaysia juga adalah sesuatu yang turut dirakam sejarah negara ini.
![Tiada persetujuan menimbang tara dalam pertikaian Malaysia dengan waris Sultan Sulu - Tommy Thomas Tiada persetujuan menimbang tara dalam pertikaian Malaysia dengan waris Sultan Sulu - Tommy Thomas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/41659342584_TBTOMMYTHOMAS.jpg)
Tiada persetujuan menimbang tara dalam pertikaian Malaysia dengan waris Sultan Sulu - Tommy Thomas
Ia termaktub sepertimana di bawah bidaan undang-undang oleh waris untuk mendapatkan pampasan bagi tanah Sabah.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-03/61648036783_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah antara yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Khamis, 24 Mac 2022.
![Astro, anggota kumpulan reggae UB40, meninggal dunia Astro, anggota kumpulan reggae UB40, meninggal dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-11/41636277704_RIPASTRO.jpg)
Astro, anggota kumpulan reggae UB40, meninggal dunia
Astro bersama UB40 sehingga 2013 dan dikenali dengan lagu-lagu seperti Red Red Wine dan Can't Help Falling In Love.
![Letak jawatan: Sajid Javid ganti Matt Hancock Letak jawatan: Sajid Javid ganti Matt Hancock](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/71624753907_TBBRITAINHEALTHMINIS.jpg)
Letak jawatan: Sajid Javid ganti Matt Hancock
Johnson berkata, Hancock sepatutnya meninggalkan pejabat dalam keadaan berbangga dengan pencapaiannya selama ini, bukan hanya dalam menangani wabak, malah sebelum COVID-19 menyerang.
![Malaysia, UK lancar buku panduan mengenai bandar raya pintar Malaysia, UK lancar buku panduan mengenai bandar raya pintar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/51624371928_SmartCityHandbook.jpg)
Malaysia, UK lancar buku panduan mengenai bandar raya pintar
Malaysia dan UK bersama melancarkan buku panduan bertajuk "Smart City Handbook: Malaysia" bagi memupuk kolaborasi dan kerjasama dalam aspek pembangunan bandar raya pintar.
![Jaguar menjadi jenama kereta elektrik sepenuhnya menjelang 2025 Jaguar menjadi jenama kereta elektrik sepenuhnya menjelang 2025](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-02/61613951138_jaguar.jpg)
Jaguar menjadi jenama kereta elektrik sepenuhnya menjelang 2025
Syarikat berkenaan ingin memberi penekanan kepada kelestarian kereta elektrik terhadap dua jenama keluarannya itu.
![COVID-19: Setiausaha Kesihatan Britain kuarantin diri, dikhuatiri ada kontak rapat COVID-19: Setiausaha Kesihatan Britain kuarantin diri, dikhuatiri ada kontak rapat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-01/41611057065_MattHancock.jpg)
COVID-19: Setiausaha Kesihatan Britain kuarantin diri, dikhuatiri ada kontak rapat
Beliau bertindak selepas mendapat notifikasi daripada aplikasi pengesanan kontak nasional bahawa beliau merupakan kontak rapat dengan kes positif COVID-19.
![Penulis legenda novel perisik John le Carre meninggal dunia Penulis legenda novel perisik John le Carre meninggal dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-12/81607914574_BritishauthorJohn.jpg)
Penulis legenda novel perisik John le Carre meninggal dunia
Mendiang meninggal dunia selepas mengalami radang paru-paru.