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Companies having hard time letting go of heels: poll

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Manners? What a load of crap! It's just another example of bullying and intimidation in the workplace. Do Japanese people ever grow tired of being told what to do? They even have signs in toilets telling you how to sit on it and wipe your bum. Japan is either a nation of three year olds, or it is run by people who believe everybody is three years old.

6 ( +13 / -7 )

If women don't like it, there are other companies around that don't require high heels.

Freedom of choice.

-22 ( +6 / -28 )

Having been self employed for most of my working life, I cannot understand how workers stand this kind of "dress code" crap. What is it with some people in management that they demand that people all look like clones of the same person?

Who cares?

12 ( +17 / -5 )

I can understand their pain. When you get to certain positions, while the dress style for men isn't forced, it is heavily insisted upon. When I first became a private client banker, I received a new dress code booklet. It was different from what regular and lower tier bankers had to wear. Even for shoes and when it came to how round and narrow shows could or had to be. They couldn't be too round at the tip. Derbies were considered too formal for Private bankers and your cap toes and oxfords couldn't be too round. Pretty much, the shoes aimed at forcing us to wear the painful options for shoes.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Manners? What a load of crap! It's just another example of bullying and intimidation in the workplace. Do Japanese people ever grow tired of being told what to do? They even have signs in toilets telling you how to sit on it and wipe your bum. Japan is either a nation of three year olds, or it is run by people who believe everybody is three years old.

couldn't have said it better myself

6 ( +11 / -5 )

society considers it to be "good manners"

That's nother way to force those employee, just accept it.

Companies having hard time letting go of heels: poll

Japanese companies having hard time letting their ridiculous habit: poll

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I get it, heels are stupid. Neckties are foolish as well. But I have to admit, I spent my professional life in San Jose, Santa Clara, Seattle and San Francisco. These places are full of 'bad manners'. Strange to think that Microsoft, Apple, Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Airbnb, Uber, Lyft, Twitter, etc. were are built by people who everyday showed nothing but rudeness toward you kniw, THE WHOLE WORLD!

Stupid, just stupid...

10 ( +12 / -2 )

IBM used to do the same sort if thing in the America. Stupid policies die eventually, the change has already started.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Japan Airlines' new low-cost carrier Zipair Tokyo, which will launch its services in 2020, says it plans for its flight attendants to wear sneakers, finding them more durable, easier to move in, and likelier to reduce exhaustion.

Nice! If it works out, maybe JAL itself will loosen its ladies' heel rules. I wouldn't also expect sneakers on JAL attendants, of course. But, maybe they'll be allowed to wear lightweight business-like flats with flexible synthetic soles. It'll sure make standing on one's feet for 12 hour flights quite a bit better for them.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I have seen a number of articles recently about Japanese women being required to wear high heels, but they all included pictures like the one above of shoes that I would not consider high heels.

So what are they really talking about?

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Raw Beer - So what are they really talking about

Cultural conformity and prejudice against women. The Japanese male dominated society has an image of how women should appear and their place in society (baby and bento makers). They must conform to this ancient stereotype, regardless of comfort and practicality. One must remember, it is still 1919 in Japan, not 2019.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Make the men who are unsure about wearing heals, wear them for 9hrs while standing with 30 hr break. Then the law would change fast.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Gosh, if I had to stand for nine hours with a thirty hour break, I am sure I would need heals too!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

My coworkers given a choice chose heels because it looks stylish.

Many Japanese woman nice looking shoes are important in their life.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

High heels are 'good manners'? Nonsense. It's just reinforcing useless gender stereotypes, which are detrimental to both women and men.

All those advocating women should be forced to wear heels at work should be forced to wear them too. Then see how quickly the rules change.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

natsu823

My coworkers given a choice chose heels because it looks stylish.

Many Japanese woman nice looking shoes are important in their life.

The difference is that they're being given a CHOICE.

If all women in the workplace were given the choice rather than being required to wear heels, this would be a non-issue.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Raw Beer

I have seen a number of articles recently about Japanese women being required to wear high heels, but they all included pictures like the one above of shoes that I would not consider high heels.

Perhaps you'd feel differently if you were the one who had to wear them for 9+ hours every day.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

For some context.

When I took over the FIL tool and die company here I wanted the employees to feel happier and more in the 21st century. I told the office and slaes staff they did not have to wear dress clothes. Ditch the suits, skirts, ties, and bows, and dress shoes. Polo type shirts and casual slacks (like Dockers) with black or brown casual shoes would be fine. The shop folk already wore blue uniform shirts with company logo and black shorts. So I wanted to see how the dress code change would work so I could get polo type shirts with the logo for office and sales staff.

2 weeks in and they all were wearing the suits-ties and dress shoes, skirts-heels. They all said "This is how we always dress and in Japan this is what is expected." I reiterated that casual is best since Miyazaki has a very mild winter and scorching summers. They all repeated the mantra.

I have a feeling even if given a choice a majority of female employees in Japan woul still do heels. BUT I support them having the choice.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Maybe if there were better shoe styles/designs in lower heels, it wouldn't make a difference what heel height a woman chooses to wear to work.

They have some of the most unflatteringly ugly shoes styles here,

for business wear.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

"in Japan this is what is expected"

Yes, that will be a big part of it. Some of these expectations will also be from other women. Support from the wider female population is essential for this kutoo movement to get anywhere. It's no good other women going to hotels, car showrooms, real estate agents, etc. and judging them by what the sales staff are wearing.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Some of these expectations will also be from other women. 

I'd say most expectations are from other women. People here are blaming the men a bit too much. Japanese women are known for wearing high heels to almost every outing, even when it involves climbing thousands of steps to visit a temple, etc. They also cake on the makeup before they take a step outdoors. I don't see men forcing them to do so.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Apparently your feet tire more easily walking in heels. Offer foot massage machines?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Why is this still even an issue?

Don't companies have other things to worry about instead of meaningless complaints such as the type of footwear an entire sex must conform to?

Get some perspective Japan!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Raw Beer

I have seen a number of articles recently about Japanese women being required to wear high heels, but they all included pictures like the one above of shoes that I would not consider high heels.

Perhaps you'd feel differently if you were the one who had to wear them for 9+ hours every day.

Hey, I am just asking whether they are referring to the type of shoes shown in the picture or to high heels, which have much longer heels and are also somewhat commonly worn at work. If they are referring to the shoes in the picture, perhaps they should stop calling them high heels. That's all I'm saying.

Try Googling "high heels".

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Please tell me that the future of Female political and economic contribution to society doesn't depend on the height of their heels.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I totally support the right of women to choose their footwear. Why force them to endure foot / back pain?

And foot comfort plays a big part in work performance. If your feet hurt you can't possibly work efficiently.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Flight attendants shouldn't be wearing heels at all, as they might have to run from a burning or damaged plane. And for the same reason, passengers shouldn't remove their shoes until at cruise.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I love heels!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

After numerous banking failures and scandals, UBS bank produced a very large comprehensive employee dress code guide, to 'win back the confidence' of investors and customers! It contained details of clothing and how to wear it, underwear, jewelery, breathfreshner, after shave and perfume, shoes, heels, socks, stockings, the correct pose, greetings, virtually everything. Don't know if it won back any customers, but it sure generated lots of laughs.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

to avoid making customers feel uncomfortable

Huh?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Joe Blow

I love heels!

Great. What height of heel do you usually wear?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I prefer a woman in heels. I know, down-vote away.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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