The Workplace Dress Code Debate: Talking Business Weighs In

Draconian workplace dress codes, including those forcing women to wear high heels or revealing clothes, have hit headlines amidst calls to reassess our current Equalities Act. However, not everybody agrees that there's a problem.

So, professional troll Piers Morgan has weighed in on the debate about workplace dress codes by stating that he "expects" receptionists to wear lipstick and heels on Good Morning Britain. "She was a receptionist for an accountancy firm", he said of guest Nicola Thorp, who made headlines last year for being sent home from work for not wearing heels. "She wanted the right to wear flat shoes and not wear lipstick. That to me is not what a receptionist should be".

Hmm. Ignoring the fact that seriously no-one is influenced by what Piers Morgan thinks is acceptable attire, he also seems to have forgotten the job definition of a receptionist, which is to greet and deal with clients. As far as i'm aware, someone can do this perfectly well without lipstick on ... shock horror, without heels on, even! Indeed, men can be - and are - good receptionists. Are they expected to wear lipstick and heels? I think we all know the answer.

And this gets to the crux of the issue of this type of draconian workplace dress code. What men are saying when they proclaim something as "acceptable" is normally what they find "desirable". Piers obviously likes it when a receptionist shows him to a meeting sashaying around in heels and full make-up. Each to their own, but does it affect her job or the image of the company if she looks presentable and smart but doesn't wear either of these things...? No.

This is why two commons committees have called for a review of current equality legislation after evidence revealed hundreds of female employees were issued with sexist dress code demands - high heels, make-up or revealing outfits - but their male colleagues weren't.

Because, really, why should men care what women wear to do their job? I think we're all in agreement that if you work for a company with a dress code, you should adhere to it, but smart office dress should not have to mean heels, skirt or lipstick - basically what men conventionally decree as sexy. As it's no longer the 1950s, it's widely acknowledged a woman can look perfectly "smart" without any of that gubbins (although if a woman chooses to wear that, power to her). Comparing having to wear heels to having to wear a tie - as Piers Morgan did - is just silly. Walking around all day in stilettos. But hey, if Piers thinks heel are his cake walk perhaps he'd be happy to take up the challenge for a day.

Have you been forced to wear heels at work? Share your dress codes woes with me by emailing megan_gerrard@icloud.com

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