High Heel Dress Code Regulations
A majority of Japanese companies where in person customer service takes place, such as banks and airline companies, have dress codes requiring women to wear high heels. Women in Japan have begun demanding to be able to choose their work shoes in a movement known as #KuToo, a combination of #MeToo and the Japanese words for shoes "kutsu" and pain "kutsuu". Many women want to discard heels for more comfortable shoes, as high heels can cause lower back pain and bunions.
Kyodo News conducted a poll of 32 companies, which included airline companies, banks, insurance companies, department stores, hotels, and cell phone companies. Of the 28 that responded, 20 said they either have rules requiring or encouraging female employees to wear high heels. Three other companies said they do not have mandatory rules but say their guidelines of professional attire includes heels. (Sounds mandatory to me.) Some of the companies responded that they enforce the heels requirement because they want to preserve the professional look of the uniform or because they want to avoid making the customers feel uncomfortable. Of those 20 companies, only two said they would reconsider their rules toward heels. Of the 16 airline companies that responded, 15 specified the height and width of the heels worn by female flight attendants. Japan Airlines requires them to be 3 to 4.5 centimeters wide and 3 to 4 cm tall. All Nippon Airways says the heel must be between 3 and 5 cm in height and width.
What do you think about these shoe rules? Are you required to wear heels where you work? Do you wear heels because you like them? Inquiring minds want to know.
9 comments:
I think wearing high heels to work and wearing them day in and day out is a sure way to
knee and foot problems. There are a lot of professional, attractive 'flat' heel shoes available.
Seems a bit cruel not to at least allow a choice for health reasons.
Hi Pamela i think these rules are wrong,maybe men should wear high heels for a day and see how there feet and legs feel xx
Just what is it about high heels that make customers feel more "comfortable"? That sounds nuts to me. In the news here today was a story about Japanese companies banning women from wearing glasses. It is just outrageous. Why should women be forced to wear crippling shoes while men aren't? Why should women have to wear contacts when men can wear glasses?
Any restrictions that only apply to women get my back up. I wouldn't last long in a workplace like that - I would be demanding equal treatment. I would probably go to work in a mens suit, flat shoes and glasses, and be sacked on the spot!
I have always found this to be a very sexist rule and appalled that jobs require it. Shoes with small heels can look just as smart, are more comfortable and I would have thought less dangerous! xx
In my work career I had a few jobs, most of them customer service related. In my youth I CHOSE to wear high heals. For a long time I wore 5" heals. I usually went with the fashion. When skirts got long, I wore flats. I was a shoe hound and had pairs of shoes to match each outfit pretty much. When I went to work in the job I retired from, it was management in a factory. My office was off the shop floor. That is when I started wearing jeans and reasonable shoes. I'm lucky..I don't have bunions, lol.
A dress code that requires high heals is ridiculous. I would be one of the biggest protesters if for no other reason I don't like being told what I can and cannot do...within reason.
xx, Carol
I think I wore my tennis shoes to work almost every working day of my life. Unless I had to "look nice" for something, it was a very relaxed atmosphere. I don't think I've had a pair of heels for at least 20 years. Maybe more.
I hate wearing heels and am very glad that my job allows me to dress like I want to (within reason, of course), although I do sit down most of the day so it wouldn't make much of a difference. And I think that especially on a plane, which can get quite rocky, it would be beneficial to wear shows in which you are actually surefooted!
Must be men that are making this decision, if they had to wear heels all day it would soon be mandatory for flat shoes I think. You can still be smart with flat shoes.
I work in IT. I occasionally wear high heels but always boots as it gives me better ankle support. Most of the time I'm wearing ballerinas and sneakers on Friday. I wouldn't be able to survive wearing heals every day.
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