Employers should not require staff to wear high heels at work.

The TUC has called for employers who insist female staff should wear high heels or slip-on shoes to work, as part of a dress code, to drop these requirements as they can lead to long-term foot and back problems.

The TUC has discovered a number of high-street shops and City institutions do not permit female staff to wear comfortable footwear.

Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said: "Heels may look glamorous on the catwalks and on Hollywood stars, but they're not appropriate for day-to-day work wear. These dress codes - apart from being blatantly sexist - can lead to long-term foot and back problems as women are forced to stand or walk around in high heels or ill-fitting footwear."

He added: "Employers should look at encouraging their staff to come to work in comfortable shoes and, where possible, provide the option of sitting down."