CTV News – Ontario Bill Would Ban Mandatory High Heels at Work

The decision to wear high heels at work will be firmly in the hands of employees, not employers, under an Ontario Liberal MPP’s proposed changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Cristina Martins is introducing a private member’s bill on Tuesday, aimed at protecting workers from being forced to wear unsafe footwear under workplace dress codes or uniform requirements.

Martins feels the current rules are too narrowly focused on specific workplaces, such as industrial jobsites and health care facilities.

Lior Samfiru, partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, joined CTV News, where the Toronto Employment Lawyer stated that there are already mechanisms in place in Ontario for employees to fight back against perceived gender-based discrimination in the workplace. However, under the current framework, an employee’s right to refuse to work in such cases is typically tied to a successful human rights claim.

Samfiru expects more targeted legislation, like Martins’ proposed reforms, will better equip those who feel victimized to take action.

Read more of Lior’s comments on the matter here on CTV News.