A new amendment to the Workers Compensation Act in British Columbia states that businesses are no longer legally allowed to require employees to wear high heels while at work, a practice that is found in many restaurants.
Premier Christy Clark and the B.C. government approved the bill this month, calling mandatory dress codes that specify that women wear high heels as a "workplace health and safety issue."
The new regulation states that employers must put the safety of their employees first and determine appropriate footwear by considering the likelihood of "...slipping, tripping, uneven terrain, abrasion, ankle protection and foot support, crushing potential, potential for musculoskeletal injury, temperature extremes, corrosive substances, puncture hazards, electrical shock and any other recognizable hazard."
"This change will let employers know that the most critical part of an employee's footwear is that it is safe," said Labour Minister Shirley Bond in a statement. "I expect employers to recognize this very clear signal that forcing someone to wear high heels at work is unacceptable."
The amendment to the Workers’ Compensation Act doesn’t mean that women can’t choose to wear high heels to work. It just means companies can’t make it a requirement of employment.
