A union is urging that high heels be banned in the workplace to ensure the health and safety of employees.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC), which the Telegraph reports is "predominantly" made up of males, has claimed that such heels could count as discrimination towards women and may also contribute to leg injuries.

Tabled by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, the TUC said that while stilettos may look good on the catwalks of Hollywood, they were not appropriate in the day-to-day workplace.

"Many employers in the retail sector force women workers to wear high heels as part of their dress code," the motion stated.

It added that more needed to be done to raise awareness of the problem "so that women workers and their feet are protected".

However, commenting on the news in an article for the Daily Mail, Maureen Rice said many women enjoyed wearing heels to work as it made them feel taller, both literally and psychologically.

Related News:

• Equality reps make a real difference to workplaces, claims TUC
• Denham hails UK’s “remarkable achievements” on tackling racism
• Give agency workers real protection, demands TUC
• Is battle against racial discrimination being won?
• Was HR weather advice patronising?
• Nurse claims discrimination over religious jewellery
• TUC survey: Agency workers treated unequally
• ‘Common sense needed’ in health at work
• Workers still fearful of redundancy, says TUC
• TUC discusses disabled fears