The government has introduced new guidelines for women’s dress code. There have been problems with gender specific uniforms and high heels in work environments. The government’s guidelines will help improve equality among the workplace and prevent discriminatory practices. Labour MP Helen Jones had secured a date in Westminster Hall last month, after 152,420 signatures were gathered for a petition. The petition was about making it illegal for companies to require women to wear high heels at work. The petition was set in motion after Nicole Thorp had been sent home with no pay just because she wasn’t wearing high heels. Nicole was working for an agency called Portico, this account had happened May of last year. The House of Commons petitions committee and equalities committee looked into it and found that discriminatory dress code happen in many other places. The existing laws have not been efficient in protecting employees from discrimination at work.

In a report they released in January it stated that the dress codes that include wearing high heels, target young women in insecure jobs that may already feel vulnerable in the workspace. These rules can be damaging to women when it comes to their health and wellbeing. In response to this the government plans on making new guidelines that will make it clearer on employment practices. The Government Equalities office will be in charge of looking into the dress codes in work places and the issues that it raises. They will also be raising awareness of this issue and are asking that employers take the opportunity to see if their dress code rules remain relevant or lawful.