An Edmonton waitress was left bloodied after the session and says it was just one of the many unfair elements in her former workplace.
A 21-year-old ex-employee of Joey Restaurant has claimed she was made to wear high heels during a training session which has left her feet bloodied.
The woman from Edmonton in Canada, whose name has not been released, said her manager told her to wear a minimum of a one-inch heel and a maximum of a three-inch heel.
The waitress took a photo of her bloodied feet after the training session which her friend, Nicola Gavins, posted on Facebook. The photo has already attracted more than 11,000 shares.
Gavins wrote on her Facebook post: “Their (Joey Restaurant’s) policy is still that female staff wear heels unless medically restricted. My friend’s feet were bleeding to the point she lost a toe nail and she was still discouraged and berated by the shift manager for changing into flats (specifically told that heels would be required on her next shift the following day).”
“In addition, the female staff have to purchase a uniform/dress at the cost of $30 while male staff can dress themselves in black clothing from their own closets (and are not required to wear heels).
“Sexist, archaic requirements and totally disgusting policy.”
Gavins also claimed the restaurant “has unpaid training shifts which is illegal under the Alberta Labour Laws”.
The former worker said when her feet hurt on her first day of training, her manager told her to buy a better pair of heels.
Despite getting a new pair, she said that towards the end of her second training shift she was having difficulty standing up.
The woman finished the rest of her session in flats, but was told she had to wear heels the next day.
She also said her manager told her only a written statement from the doctor specifying she had a medical condition would get her off the hook.
Sasha Perrin, the communications manager for Joey, said what happened was a misunderstanding and that the restaurant was “upset to see this post and reached out to connect with the employee right away”.
“Our current shoe guidelines require both male and female employees to wear a black dress shoe that is non-slip with a thick sole for safety reasons,” she told ATTN.
“Under this guide, they choose what is comfortable for them.”
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The woman from Edmonton in Canada, whose name has not been released, said her manager told her to wear a minimum of a one-inch heel and a maximum of a three-inch heel.
The waitress took a photo of her bloodied feet after the training session which her friend, Nicola Gavins, posted on Facebook. The photo has already attracted more than 11,000 shares.
Gavins wrote on her Facebook post: “Their (Joey Restaurant’s) policy is still that female staff wear heels unless medically restricted. My friend’s feet were bleeding to the point she lost a toe nail and she was still discouraged and berated by the shift manager for changing into flats (specifically told that heels would be required on her next shift the following day).”
“In addition, the female staff have to purchase a uniform/dress at the cost of $30 while male staff can dress themselves in black clothing from their own closets (and are not required to wear heels).
“Sexist, archaic requirements and totally disgusting policy.”
Gavins also claimed the restaurant “has unpaid training shifts which is illegal under the Alberta Labour Laws”.
The former worker said when her feet hurt on her first day of training, her manager told her to buy a better pair of heels.
Despite getting a new pair, she said that towards the end of her second training shift she was having difficulty standing up.
The woman finished the rest of her session in flats, but was told she had to wear heels the next day.
She also said her manager told her only a written statement from the doctor specifying she had a medical condition would get her off the hook.
Sasha Perrin, the communications manager for Joey, said what happened was a misunderstanding and that the restaurant was “upset to see this post and reached out to connect with the employee right away”.
“Our current shoe guidelines require both male and female employees to wear a black dress shoe that is non-slip with a thick sole for safety reasons,” she told ATTN.
“Under this guide, they choose what is comfortable for them.”
More like this:
Ghomeshi apologizes over “sexually inappropriate” conduct
MPP says “take our word,” there was harassment probe
Top execs torn over big data and gut instinct