In a new government report, Helen Sewell, a leading health expert, found that high heels could lead to a ‘generation of women with serious health problems’. And the British economy loses as much as £260million each year through absences associated with ‘inappropriate footwear’.
Sewell’s research comes following the petition launched by by Nicola Thorp - an actress and part-time receptionist - who was sent home from her temping job for refusing to wear shoes with a two to four-inch heel. Garnering more than 150,000 signatures, the petition demanding for it to be made illegal to require women to wear heels at work was therefore brought to Parliament.
Sewell’s enquiry also found that wearing heels affected women's ability to perform well in the workplace. ‘Wearing heels has a serious impact on your ability to think properly, your ability to breathe properly, and your ability to deliver an executive presence,’ said Sewell
‘When standing, high heels knock you off balance, forcing part of your brain to concentrate on steadying yourself on tiptoes rather than communicating with others,’ Sewell continuned.
In her concluding statement, she said: 'I'm not against high heels, rather I am pro-choice for wearing comfortable shoes in the workplace. Research, such as this, shows that when it comes to fashion, women have got the short end of the stick.'
It appears you're best off sticking to flats...