Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Equality Act 2010 so that women at work are not forced to wear footwear which is damaging to their long term health; and if she will make a statement.

The Government takes the issue of workplace discrimination very seriously and will continue to work hard to ensure women are not discriminated against in the workplace by outdated attitudes and practices, including in relation to dress codes. Workplace dress codes must comply with both equalities and health and safety legislation, which means they must be reasonable and should not place more onerous requirements on women (or men) unless they can be justified objectively.

Following the inquiry into high heels and workplace dress codes, the House of Commons Petitions Committee and Women and Equalities Select Committee recommended that the Government Equalities Office (GEO) produce guidance on dress codes. The GEO has worked with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to draw up guidance for employers and employees to help them understand how discrimination law and health and safety law apply to workplace dress codes. The guidance is due to be published in due course, and will raise awareness of existing statutory protections.