Finance firm PwC accused of sexism over high heels row.

Pudney said:
So when you go out to an audit for PwC there is no requirement for you to be smartly dressed?
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Formally, no.

Depends on the client and their attitude mainly. The general, although not specified, standard, is to match the clients level of smartness.

Some people wear chinos and jumpers to very formal clients, still. Particular items are also not required, ie, ties for men, ever.
 
Seems like quite a progressive firm, IIRC they also blind themselves to things like A-level grades, university etc.. during recruitment too.
 
Thompson_NCL said:
She should wear heels if that is what the company expects of female employees, just the same as men should wear trousers/shirts/ties if that is what is expected.
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Listened to a radio prog with a specialist on foot injury. He said to wear these types of footwear for 7-8hrs a day over a three month period can cause permanent damage and sometimes crippling damage if used longer. There is no specific reason to wear a certain type of footwear in this and most cases.
 
dowie said:
Seems like quite a progressive firm, IIRC they also blind themselves to things like A-level grades, university etc.. during recruitment too.
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They certainly had UCAS point requirements when I was applying but I believe that has been relaxed somewhat in line with the rest of the big4 in the past year or so.
 
Hxc said:
They certainly had UCAS point requirements when I was applying but I believe that has been relaxed somewhat in line with the rest of the big4 in the past year or so.
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I think the entry requirements have been relaxed for PwC. Interesting about the clothing requirements though, they have the reputation as being the stuffiest and most corporate of the Big 4!! :D
 
amigafan2003 said:
Practice and dance shoes are very specifically designed for dancing.

I don't think it's reasonable to expect a receptionist to practice wearing heels for multiple hours every day, just because some office perv says it's in the dress code.
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Indeed they are, but none the less, anyone that watches Strictly will know how often they girls dance on them. I've often wondered how women manage to walk in thin high heels, never mind dance a jive.

As for what a receptionist should wear, I entirely agree, and have said so several times.
 
Housey said:
I was with a bunch of PWC partners this week actually, never came up in discussions once. Non event elevated by the media.
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Why would they mention it?

What have the partners got to do with this either? When did they become arbiters of what is an event or non-event.
 
muon said:
Why would they mention it?

What have the partners got to do with this either? When did they become arbiters of what is an event or non-event.
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I think the post was more a weird brag/Housey being proud of having lunch with some partners in an accountancy firm... I'm not sure I could handle it myself - the charisma at that table would be too much.
 
Aldav said:
That also makes me wonder how pro dancers, and I mean the likes of the Strictly Come Dancing pro girls, most or all of whom are at World Champion sort of level, seem to manage it, for years, and not just for twirling round a pole but for a jive, or Charleston, etc.
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1) Strippers do more than just twirling around a pole. Try doing squats in high heels, for example, and do it slowly and smoothly. Strippers very often do. "Hey, look at my arse!" is a good tip-earning stripper move. Stripping, especially if it includes pole dancing, is surprisingly athletic.

2) Pro dancers are often injured and usually in pain. It's a very harsh job. Also, they're wearing specialised shoes (which are expensive and don't last long) which aren't always high heeled. They will still be suffering, though. The men generally get more injuries on the foot and ankle, the women generally get more injuries on the toes and they all generally get corns, bunions and feet splitting open when the layers of callouses give way. The women will probably have deformed toes, too.

Here are some pictures of some professional dancers' feet:

http://www.blisstree.com/2012/06/13/fitness/ballet-dancers-feet-graceful-but-really-gross-898/

Here's a brief article on it with some quotes from dancers:

http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2006/sep/05/dance

An example:

I broke a metatarsal on stage once. I was performing a solo and heard this crack. I didn't realise I'd broken it at the time, because you're used to taking pain.
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Or this one:

The side of my foot went totally black and my big toe was all numb.
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They took one night off. Just one night. Obviously, the injury hadn't healed. But if you take time off, you'll lose your position.

A pro dancer with a good foot care regime and regular visits to a specialised podiatrist might not get too messed up, but they're going to hurt. Often.
 
Yep she should Deffo look like eyecandy for the boys I mean isn't that a receptionit's first duty in a male dominated work place. ?
 
Are we really debating whether high heels are bad for the health of the wearer?
 
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