Stop complaining about wearing heels at work

This article appeared in Australia today, after a story yesterday. A woman was sent home from work because she refused to wear high heels to her temp job, as per the dress code she'd agreed to. That story raised the ire of many and was widely criticised with the woman receiving lots of support. From today's opinion piece:

'WHEN I read the story about Nicola Thorp being sent home on her first day at PricewaterhouseCoopers, all because she refused to wear high heels for her job as a receptionist, a familiar feeling came over me.

Anger and annoyance, but not in the way you might think — I’m a man.

Women’s attire in the workplace can be a hot topic when it comes to gender discrimination discussions. This often leaves women feeling angry and upset, typically at men, for what they “have to go through”. However, I couldn’t disagree more.

Men have always been held to a higher standard when it comes to workplace attire. I remember reading the 44 page dress code for bank employees at UBS, the Swiss Bank. Men with a thin jawline should have Single Windsor tie knots, while guys with wider jaws should use a double.

Just two years ago, I would wear my suit on the train from north west Sydney to the CBD and home each day. The walk from the station on hot days would leave me sweaty and uncomfortable by the time I got to the office. When I arrived, I had to choose between keeping the coat off and letting everyone see me perspire through my shirt, or leave the jacket on to keep up appearances and turn myself into a walking sauna.

Even my first job, I was required to wear both a tie and have a clean shaven face. This often led to my tight collar rubbing against my freshly shaven, sensitive skin and leaving a big patch of red irritated skin. How professional.

Men have the same issues as women when it comes to workplace attire — if not worse. Nothing is more fun than being looked down upon when you forget to wear a tie, only to have a woman in the office walk past in a bright pink skirt.'

Nice work!