ACADEMICS have called for action to stop women being forced to wear high heels at work, with the suggestion Scotland could make use of devolved health powers.
Researchers at the University of Aberdeen who carried out a review of scientific studies into the shoes said more should be done to address the problem.
The research identified a wealth of studies showing that wearing high heels raises the risk of developing musculoskeletal conditions as well as increasing the chance of injury.
Earlier this year the UK Government rejected calls for a ban on enforced high-heel wear.
Ministers said existing laws were adequate to deal with discrimination following the case of receptionist Nicola Thorp, who was sent home after she refused to wear heels at work.
The London temp arrived at professional services firm PwC in flat shoes, but was told she had to have a 2-4in heel. She launched a petition that attracted more than 152,400 signatures asking for it to be made illegal for companies to require women to wear the footwear for their jobs.
The researchers contrasted the response of the UK Government with that of the Canadian province of British Columbia, which has changed the law to ban employers from requiring female staff to wear high heels.
Dr Max Barnish, who led the research, said: “We feel the UK Government should follow the lead of other authorities who have introduced specific laws to tackle this practice rather than simply relying on existing legislation, which has left the situation in this country uncertain and open to misinterpretation.
“Also, this matter has in the UK been so far addressed through UK-wide equality laws. However, there may be scope for the devolved nations of the UK such as Scotland to consider introducing further measures under devolved health legislative powers.”
Dr Heather Morgan, a lecturer at the university, said: “Of course we are not trying to tell anyone that they should or shouldn’t wear high heels, but we hope this review will inform wearers to help them weigh up the health risks with social benefits.”
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