Women pressured to be 'sexier' in workplace, lawyers claim

The vast majority of women in the workplace feel pressured to dress "sexier" to protect their job, according to a survey by employment lawyers.

The study, by Slater and Gordon, found 86% of the women questioned had felt pressure over their appearance - on things like applying more make-up and wearing skirts.

It said 7% claimed bosses had urged them to wear high heels because it made them "more appealing" to clients.

The worst sectors for such remarks were financial services and hospitality, the survey suggested.

The results follow the high-profile case of Nicola Thorp, who started an official petition for a ban on women being required to wear heels at work after she was sent home in the City for wearing flat shoes.

She (Munich: SOQ.MU - news) told Sky News at the time: "I turned to a male colleague next to me and said: 'He's wearing flat smart shoes. You're not sending him home.'"

The survey found that 19% of women felt more attention was paid to their appearance by their bosses than to their male colleagues.

In contrast, 48% of men felt their dress code was more clearly defined and less likely to draw comment, though some admitted being asked to remove jewellery, cover tattoos and even get rid of hair dye.

The report was released on the same day the conciliation service ACAS argued employers were missing out on talent because of opposition to tattoos and piercings.

Josephine Van Lierop, of Slater and Gordon, said: "Under current UK employment law, employers cannot treat one person less favourably because of their gender but there is no legislation to prevent employers from treating men and women differently in relation to dress code.

"Employers will argue that men and women must be dressed smartly or well groomed for a person of their gender.

"However, in 2016 there is absolutely no expectation that women in business should wear make-up or high heels in order to be smartly dressed.

"Imposing this expectation on women only is arguably unlawful sex discrimination."