Starting in January, waitresses and bartenders will no longer be forced to wear heels on the job.
Under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) code, employers can no longer require workers to wear heels – shoes that can lead to trips, slips, falls and painful foot conditions.
The Alberta government announced the ban Friday.
“I have heard from many Alberta women in the hospitality industry that this change needs to happen,” said NDP Health Minister Christina Grey.
“It’s clear that forcing women to wear high heels at work is a bad idea. This is an important change that will help create healthy work environments where workers can do their jobs safely and not be forced to use footwear that creates potential hazards.”
Many restaurants in St. Albert are already following the code.
Paul Ballach, owner of The Bourbon Room, said he has never required his staff to wear high heels, or short skirts and low-cut shirts.
“I know it’s tough for them to walk around in the high heels all day long,” he said. “The girls say it can get tiresome.”
Likewise, Boston Pizza and Earls in St. Albert do not require staff to wear heels while at work.
Ballach said he would rather keep his staff comfortable over making them wear certain attire for attention.
“We’re focused on service. Image is always important, but I would rather our image be our service and our conduct, over a tight little skirt and V-cut shirt and high heels,” he explained.
After hearing about the code changes, he said he felt it's a step in the right direction. He added it could be hard for some establishments, however, that have become reliant on heels as part of an overall look in the restaurant.
According to OHS, working in heels can become more hazardous when working in the food industry, which requires servers to walk through busy spaces while carrying food.
Prolonged use of heels may lead to joint pain and back issues, the organization said.
Once the changes take effect, employees will still be allowed to wear heels in the workplace – if they wish.
In 2017, Ontario and B.C. banned mandatory footwear policies that could create hazards for workers. Manitoba passed similar laws in 2018.
