MPs blast firms that order women to dye their hair blonde and wear heels in the office after public backlash
PwC temp worker Nicola Thorp was sent home for not wearing heels and calls for the laws to be 'toughened up' in the UK
MANY bosses still order women to look "sexy" at work, an MPs' inquiry found.
The probe heard from hundreds of female staff told to dye their hair blonde and wear revealing outfits.
Others described long term health problems from wearing high heels for prolonged periods.
The inquiry followed the case of Dr Who actress Nicola Thorp, 27, who was sent home from her temp job at finance firm PwC for not wearing heels.
She told how temping agency Portico's dress code included heels 2in to 4in high plus make-up at all times.
She launched a campaign branding her treatment outdated and sexist and more than 150,000 people signed a petition supporting her.
A hard-hitting report out today says the incident is not isolated and laws protecting women are not up to scratch.
MPs said firms who force women to wear high heels at work should face “substantial fines” at employment tribunals.
They found discriminatory dress codes were widespread despite being unlawful.
The report said: “It is clear that there are not currently enough disincentives to prevent employers breaching the law.
“Penalties should be set at such a level as to ensure that employees are not deterred from bringing claims, and to deter employers from breaching the legislation.”
The Fawcett Society told the inquiry requiring women to abide by “sexy” dress codes sent out the message their appearance was more important than their skills, experience or voices.
Petitions Committee chair Helen Jones added: “It’s not enough for the law to be clear in principle — it must also work in practice.
“The Government has said that the way that Nicola Thorp was treated by her employer is against the law, but that didn’t stop her being sent home from work without pay.
“It’s clear from the stories we’ve heard from members of the public that Nicola’s story is far from unique. The Government must now accept that it has a responsibility to ensure that the law works in practice as well as in theory."
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Ms Thorp, who launched the petition, said it was “crucial” the law was toughened up.
She said: “The current system favours the employer, and is failing employees.
“The law must also work in practice as well as theory; negative publicity and online petitions shouldn’t be relied on to prevent discrimination at work.”
Strict rules for women
NICOLA Thorp’s dress code at former agency Portico.
High heels – minimum height 2 inches, max 4 inches
Ban on opaque tights – sheer 15/20 denier tights to be worn at all times
Make up worn at all times and must be regularly reapplied
Minimum of light blusher, lipstick or tinted gloss, mascara, eye shadow, light foundation, powder
Nail varnish must be neutral, pink, red, plum or grey
Hair colour must be maintained regularly with no visible roots
Since May 2016 Portico have updated their dress code to say “shoes should be clean, polished, and in good repair and should be plain black.”
They now only ask for make-up to be “subtle”.