My Heels, My Choice
Nicola started the #myheelsmychoice campaign in 2016, after being fired from a role as a receptionist for refusing to wear high heels to the office. After petitioning government and receiving over 150,000 signatures of support, the issue was investigated at a select committee and will now be debated in parliament in the 6th March 2017.
If you have a story about how sexist dress code policies have affected you, please share your story with us here.
January 25, 2017
Report is Released to the Public
The findings of the Petitions Committee report are made public. The report calls for the Government to take urgent action to improve the effectiveness of the Equality Act. It recommends that the Government reviews this area of the law and, if necessary, asks Parliament to amend it. It calls for more effective remedies—such as increased financial penalties—for employment tribunals to award against employers who breach the law, in order to provide an effective deterrent.
It also recommends that the Government introduce guidance and awareness campaigns targeted at employers, workers and students, to improve understanding of the law and workers' rights.
June 27, 2016
Dress code inquiry to be held
The women's and equality committee and petitions committee hold an inquiry into sexist dress code policies in the work place, and workplace discrimination.
May 11, 2016
Petition reaches 100,000
Thorp's petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the required amount for the petition to be considered for debate in parliament.
May 09, 2016
Petition Goes Live
Nicola sets up a petition calling on the government to 'Make it illegal for a company to retire women to wear heels at work', it begins with just ten signatures from close friends and family.
December 07, 2015
Receptionist gets sent home from work for refusing to wear high heels
After starting her first day at work in the city for temp agency Portico, Nicola is sent home for refusing to wear high heels to the office, Wearing smart, formal, flat shoes, she argues that Portico's dress code policy is sexist. Given the option of going out and buying a pair immediately, or losing her position, Nicola refuses, arguing that a pair of high heels will not make her better at her job, and is sent home without pay and told she cannot work on the site again.
Telegraph Article
by Nicola Thorp
15th September 2016
13th May 2016
by Nicola Thorp
Telegraph Article
