Petition launched after receptionist from Hackney ‘sent home for not wearing heels’

Sent home: Actor Nicola Thorp

An online petition for a change in the law has been launched by a temp worker after she was sent home after she refusing to wear high heels at work.

Nicola Thorp, 27, from Hackney, arrived at finance company PwC to work as a receptionist to be told she had to wear shoes with a 2 inch to 4 inch heel”.

When she refused and pointed out that male colleagues were not required to do the same, she was sent home without pay.

Outsourcing firm Portico said it set the uniform rules for staff supplied to PwC but is now to review its guidelines.

Ms Thorp told BBC 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 couldn’t.”

“I was expected to do a nine-hour shift on my feet escorting clients to meeting rooms. I said I just won’t be able to do that in heels.”

Her petition states “Make it illegal for a company to require women to wear high heels at work.

“It’s still legal in the UK for a company to require female members of staff to wear high heels at work against their will. Dress code laws should be changed so that women have the option to wear flat formal shoes at work, if they wish. Current formal work dress codes are out-dated and sexist.”

You can find the petition here: Make it illegal for a company to require women to wear high heels at work