The Work Clinic

Women and their love affair with shoes have long been a source of amusement but the fact is that beneath many a pair of sexy heels are blisters, bunions and corns. Yet so ingrained is the conviction that shoes need to be high to be smart, elegant or formal, that millions of women are hobbling to work everyday - or even spending their working day standing, in heels that could damage not just their feet but their backs.

The TUC has taken on the role of defender of feet, launching its 'Working Feet and Footwear' campaign, aimed at employers who expect their female staff to wear heels.

Says Brendan Barber, "We were surprised how many times we found that employers' dress codes did not permit the wearing of comfortable, sensible footwear by women.

"Heels may look glamorous on the catwalks and on Hollywood stars, but they're not appropriate for day-to-day work wear".

Barber points out that wearing heels all day every day can lead to back and foot problems, and insists that dress codes that require high heels are 'blatantly sexist'.

Around 80% of adults are expected to have some form of foot problem.