Relief coming for women weary of wearing high heels to work

Women who resent wearing high-heeled shoes in the office now have an ally in the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP).

The labor group on Monday urged the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to draft a regulation forbidding employers nationwide from requiring their women workers to wear high heels because of health and safety risks.

“We received many persistent complaints from salesladies working in department stores and malls that they are in pain [from] walking and standing for long hours … in high-heeled shoes. They also worry that it might [cause] long-term damage. This is a grave concern … and so we are asking the Dole to prohibit employers from requiring their employees to wear high-heeled shoes in doing their work,” said Gerard Seno, ALU national executive vice president, in a statement.

The prohibition policy should cover not only salesladies but promodizers in supermarkets, as well as waitresses, hotel and restaurant receptionists and flight attendants, Seno added.

“Apart from the pain, working women also complain of injuries after slipping, falling and tripping with high-heeled shoes on. This must be stopped. Women workers should not be compelled to wear high heels against their will. They should not be exposed to any harm and danger at all times,” he said.

At present, there is no government regulation regarding the wearing of high heels in the workplace and the decision is left to the discretion of employers.

Seno cited studies which showed that women wearing shoes with high heels were most likely to suffer from postural disorders affecting the positioning of the head, including the spine, pelvis and knees.