Receptionist sent home from PwC for not wearing high heels

[horn]

Receptionist sent home from PwC for not wearing high heels

Nadia Khomami

Wednesday 11 May 2016 13.41 BST

Nicola Thorp says she was told to leave on her first day at City accountancy firm after refusing to wear shoes with a 2-4in heel

A receptionist claims she was sent home from work at a corporate finance company after refusing to wear high heels.

Nicola Thorp, 27, from Hackney in east London, arrived on her first day at PwC in December in flat shoes but says she was told she had to wear shoes with a 2in to 4in heel.

Thorp, who was employed as a temporary worker by PwCs outsourced reception firm Portico, said she was laughed at when she said the demand was discriminatory and sent home without pay after refusing to go out and buy a pair of heels.

Portico said it set the uniform rules for staff but would review its guidelines, the BBC reported.

Thorp told BBC Radio London: I said, If you can give me a reason as to why wearing flats would impair me to do my job today, then fair enough, but they couldnt. I was expected to do a nine-hour shift on my feet escorting clients to meeting rooms. I said I just wont be able to do that in heels.

Thorp said after speaking to friends and posting about the incident on her Facebook account she realised that other women had been in similar positions. She has since launched a petition calling for the law to be changed so companies can no longer force women to wear high heels to work. It has so far received more than 11,000 signatures.

I was a bit scared about speaking up about it in case there was a negative backlash, she said. But I realised I needed to put a voice to this as it is a much bigger issue.

I dont hold anything against the company necessarily, because they are acting within their rights as employers to have a formal dress code, and, as it stands, part of that for a woman is to wear high heels. I think dress codes should reflect society and nowadays women can be smart and wear flat shoes.

Apart from the debilitating factor, its the sexism issue. I think companies shouldnt be forcing that on their female employees.

A Portico spokesman said: In line with industry standard practice, we have personal appearance guidelines across many of our corporate locations. These policies ensure staff are dressed consistently and include recommendations for appropriate style of footwear for the role.

We have taken on board the comments regarding footwear and will be reviewing our guidelines in consultation with our clients and team members.

A PwC spokesman said: PwC outsources its front of house and reception services to a third-party supplier. We first became aware of this matter on 10 May, some five months after the issue arose. The dress code referenced in the article is not a PwC policy.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/11/receptionist-sent-home-pwc-not-wearing-high-heels-pwc-nicola-thorp

[Guest Rachelle of London]

I used to work for PWC!

[jacket]

I love how PwC say it's not their dress code and blame shift to some hiring company. And these are the geniuses we throw a lot of our government work to.

[ULIZOS]

I worked at EY, basically the same thing, I was called in once for not having my shoes shined

Worst place EVER. EVER. Every single person who works there is miserable, but is too afraid to quit because they make slightly more than they would somewhere else.

[Guest Rocco Papa]

Ugh

Everything is sexist. Everything is racist. Everything is homophobic. Everyone's offended. Everything is a problem.

It's a fucking DRESS CODE. If you have a job, chances are you're going to have to follow one. Men have to follow dress codes too. I've worked at places that have forced me to wear khakis and shoes. Was it annoying to have to wear the same thing every day? Yes. Would I have been more comfortable in sneakers? Yes. Did I complain about it and accuse them of sexism? No! I followed the dress code, went to work every day, and did my job.

When you have a job, you have to be professional and follow the rules. That's how jobs work.

This 27-year-old is in for a rude awakening. Not everyone is going to cater to your comfort level and make things easy for you. Welcome to the real world.

[ULIZOS]

You sound like a robot who puts up with shit because that's just the way things are supposed to be The world needs sheep like you

[runa]

Ugh

Everything is sexist. Everything is racist. Everything is homophobic. Everyone's offended. Everything is a problem.

It's a fucking DRESS CODE. If you have a job, chances are you're going to have to follow one. Men have to follow dress codes too. I've worked at places that have forced me to wear khakis and shoes. Was it annoying to have to wear the same thing every day? Yes. Would I have been more comfortable in sneakers? Yes. Did I complain about it and accuse them of sexism? No! I followed the dress code, went to work every day, and did my job.

When you have a job, you have to be professional and follow the rules. That's how jobs work.

This 27-year-old is in for a rude awakening. Not everyone is going to cater to your comfort level and make things easy for you. Welcome to the real world.

OMG. Here we go again.

I thought I had seen everything but it seems not.

[Guest]

Ugh

Everything is sexist. Everything is racist. Everything is homophobic. Everyone's offended. Everything is a problem.

It's a fucking DRESS CODE. If you have a job, chances are you're going to have to follow one. Men have to follow dress codes too. I've worked at places that have forced me to wear khakis and shoes. Was it annoying to have to wear the same thing every day? Yes. Would I have been more comfortable in sneakers? Yes. Did I complain about it and accuse them of sexism? No! I followed the dress code, went to work every day, and did my job.

When you have a job, you have to be professional and follow the rules. That's how jobs work.

This 27-year-old is in for a rude awakening. Not everyone is going to cater to your comfort level and make things easy for you. Welcome to the real world.

I'm going to have to agree with you. If it's a dress code and the employee doesn't like it...Too Fucking Bad. Go work somewhere else.

This is the real world, folks. Everyone pays their dues so you'd better start growing some balls.

Besides, high heels are fucking sexy and flats make a woman look like a frumpy turd. I am a true high heel advocate.

Bow down bitches...

[IsaacHarris]

I know a thing or two about workplace dress codes & how ridiculous they can be. A high-heeled shoe is pleasing aesthetically, but that's about it. Women w/ foot issues shouldn't be forced to wear them, especially when there are PLENTY of work appropriate, stylish flats out there.

She should raise hell.

[IsaacHarris]

& ain't she a receptionist?

Don't they SIT all day?

Does it matter what her footwear is?

[Jazzy Jan]

Ugh

Everything is sexist. Everything is racist. Everything is homophobic. Everyone's offended. Everything is a problem.

It's a fucking DRESS CODE. If you have a job, chances are you're going to have to follow one. Men have to follow dress codes too. I've worked at places that have forced me to wear khakis and shoes. Was it annoying to have to wear the same thing every day? Yes. Would I have been more comfortable in sneakers? Yes. Did I complain about it and accuse them of sexism? No! I followed the dress code, went to work every day, and did my job.

When you have a job, you have to be professional and follow the rules. That's how jobs work.

This 27-year-old is in for a rude awakening. Not everyone is going to cater to your comfort level and make things easy for you. Welcome to the real world.

You really have a problem with women and always change it back to "men have to cop this too " on every topic. This is crazy talk. Have you actually ever worked all day on your feet on high heels ? Completely different situation. Some people have major feet problems and can't wear high heels. Women should be able to wear smart fashionable flat shoes. They can look professional and smart too. High heels are also proven to damage people's feet.

[ULIZOS]

Men have to wear khakis so women should just suck it up

[Guest]

She wasn't forced to wear high heels. Didn't the article say 2" to 4"?

2 inches is hardly a high heel.

[Ivy]

Ugh

Everything is sexist. Everything is racist. Everything is homophobic. Everyone's offended. Everything is a problem.

It's a fucking DRESS CODE. If you have a job, chances are you're going to have to follow one. Men have to follow dress codes too. I've worked at places that have forced me to wear khakis and shoes. Was it annoying to have to wear the same thing every day? Yes. Would I have been more comfortable in sneakers? Yes. Did I complain about it and accuse them of sexism? No! I followed the dress code, went to work every day, and did my job.

When you have a job, you have to be professional and follow the rules. That's how jobs work.

This 27-year-old is in for a rude awakening. Not everyone is going to cater to your comfort level and make things easy for you. Welcome to the real world.

Spot on! Too many cry babies in this world. If the woman don't like wearing heels which is part of the uniform then just fuck off and go work at Walmart where you can wear your sneakers and flats. Too much priveldged whingers these days. No doubt this woman will sue this company for 5 million, score a cover on tattler, and bleeding hearts like runa will rush out and lap this shit up, and then this woman works in porn whilst wearing jimmy Choo's heels and not complain whilst she has 3 dicks in her mouth. The end.

[jacket]

Women need to look sexy or otherwise they're useless. Flat shoes just won't do. We must maintain the historical practice of objectifying women.

Fair enough if a woman wants to and enjoys wearing heels, but it shouldn't be forced on her. Especially if the only reason is to give clients hard ons.

[runa]

Oh my the comments in this thread. No surprise some women still say they're feminist. There's still a long road to go.

[Jazzy Jan]

Dear Ivy, you are being a dingbat, ( I know you love that word ) but you are missing the point entirely. High heels can't be worn by everyone. My cousin had major problems with her feet and on her wedding day, she had ballet flats under her long dress and said it was bliss not having to be in pain on her special day. She used to wear high heels all the time and was in agony. If women want to wear them as many do, that is great. But they should not be compulsory in today's world, especially that there are now so many smart and designer flat shoes that can be worn at work. It is not as if she was asking to wear thongs, sneakers or flip flops.

Runa and Enslaver

[Guest]

Oh my the comments in this thread. No surprise some women still say they're feminist. There's still a long road to go.

Yes, there is.

When it comes to objectifying, this is last on my list. Feminism. Firstly, let’s start with equal pay for women. Something men never think about. Then, let’s move on to reproductive rights. How about the right to consensually choose a spouse? Genital mutilation. Forced pregnancy, anyone? Gang rape and enslavement. Gender apartheid. Religious murder and burnings. Pornography coercion. Breast cancer and the lack of scientific funding. Property rights. Sexual harassment. Gynecological rape. The list is endless.

If this was truly an issue, which it isn’t, I’m sure PwC will give this woman a get out of jail free card if she turns in a good doctor’s note. I’m sure of it. This is non-news that wastes time. When my male psychiatrist came onto me, in 1996, and I sought out help, most people thought I was the one with a sexual disfunction. Maybe my heels weren’t high enough, but my high horse wasn't.

[Ivy]

Dear Ivy, you are being a dingbat, ( I know you love that word ) but you are missing the point entirely. High heels can't be worn by everyone. My cousin had major problems with her feet and on her wedding day, she had ballet flats under her long dress and said it was bliss not having to be in pain on her special day. She used to wear high heels all the time and was in agony. If women want to wear them as many do, that is great. But they should not be compulsory in today's world, especially that there are now so many smart and designer flat shoes that can be worn at work. It is not as if she was asking to wear thongs, sneakers or flip flops.

Runa and Enslaver

Oh Jazzy, I once tried friends heels when drunk and they were too difficult to manage, i dont know how you chicks do it. Hence why I did not apply for a job such as a drag queen, cotton-on service girl or a laborer who are required to wear them. But I am a stickler for rules and regulations, this includes uniform presentation, including name badges, correct footwear, no jewellery ( bar plain wedding band ) and ironed shirts. I am anti-tie but I have to wear one, but do you hear me complaining like this receptionist mole... ( somedays )

[Ivy]

Yes, there is.

When it comes to objectifying, this is last on my list. Feminism. Firstly, let’s start with equal pay for women. Something men never think about. Then, let’s move on to reproductive rights. How about the right to consensually choose a spouse? Genital mutilation. Forced pregnancy, anyone? Gang rape and enslavement. Gender apartheid. Religious murder and burnings. Pornography coercion. Breast cancer and the lack of scientific funding. Property rights. Sexual harassment. Gynecological rape. The list is endless.

If this was truly an issue, which it isn’t, I’m sure PwC will give this woman a get out of jail free card if she turns in a good doctor’s note. I’m sure of it. This is non-news that wastes time. When my male psychiatrist came onto me, in 1996, and I sought out help, most people thought I was the one with a sexual disfunction. Maybe my heels weren’t high enough, but my high horse wasn't.

Touchee ( as always ) much ado about nothing. Only gays and Diana Ross can get worked up about this shit.

[jacket]

Yes, there is.

When it comes to objectifying, this is last on my list. Feminism. Firstly, let’s start with equal pay for women. Something men never think about. Then, let’s move on to reproductive rights. How about the right to consensually choose a spouse? Genital mutilation. Forced pregnancy, anyone? Gang rape and enslavement. Gender apartheid. Religious murder and burnings. Pornography coercion. Breast cancer and the lack of scientific funding. Property rights. Sexual harassment. Gynecological rape. The list is endless.

If this was truly an issue, which it isn’t, I’m sure PwC will give this woman a get out of jail free card if she turns in a good doctor’s note. I’m sure of it. This is non-news that wastes time. When my male psychiatrist came onto me, in 1996, and I sought out help, most people thought I was the one with a sexual disfunction. Maybe my heels weren’t high enough, but my high horse wasn't.

I think we can walk and chew gum at the same time. Sure there are higher order priorities, but attitudes and values are hardest to shift and they're contained in the PwC dress policy. The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.

And let's be real, the only people in this thread having conniptions are those saying high heels are the epitome of professional wear and she should shut the fuck up and deal. *cough*roccopop*cough*

[nightcutter]

As a podiatrist I can confirm that high heels are bad for feet and will likely lead to injury in the long term.

[Jazzy Jan]

As a podiatrist I can confirm that high heels are bad for feet and will likely lead to injury in the long term.

Thank you Nightcutter. Straight from an expert.

[Jazzy Jan]

Oh Jazzy, I once tried friends heels when drunk and they were too difficult to manage, i dont know how you chicks do it. Hence why I did not apply for a job such as a drag queen, cotton-on service girl or a laborer who are required to wear them. But I am a stickler for rules and regulations, this includes uniform presentation, including name badges, correct footwear, no jewellery ( bar plain wedding band ) and ironed shirts. I am anti-tie but I have to wear one, but do you hear me complaining like this receptionist mole... ( somedays )

Ivy, imagine being poor Ginger Rogers. As she always said when people said Fred Astaire was the better dancer, she did the same routines as Fred but backwards and in high heels !