January 25, 2017

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. 

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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

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

Thorp's petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the required amount for the petition to be considered for debate in parliament. 

May 09, 2016

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

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.