Forced to wear heels at work, waitress shares photo of her bleeding feet

A photo of woman’s bleeding feet has gone viral all over the Internet. The image was shared by a waitress who claims that she had to work her entire shift wearing heels.

Nicola Gavins, from Alberta, Canada, shared the image of her friend’s feet and described that she was 'bleeding to the point she lost a toe nail'.

Within no time she became an internet sensation after the picture was shared more than 11,000 times on Facebook. Recently the subject of compulsory high heels at work has become an international talking point.

In her post Gavin criticised Joey Restaurants in Edmonton, Canada for literally forcing their female employees to wear footwear with at least a one inch heel.

Gavin, who is a freelance artist, said that her waitress pal was even scolded by the shift manager for wearing flats and was asked to wear heel the next day.

Also read: Woman sent home from office for not wearing heels

Gavin also pointed out that male could chose their own black clothing while females were supposed to pay $30 to buy a black dress uniform.

The original post read:

To anyone I know who eats at Joey Restaurants (Jasper Ave, Edmonton location specifically).

Their policy is still that female staff wear heels unless medically restricted, my friends 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.

I have many friends in the service industry and know loads of ladies who still earn great tips without having to sacrifice their comfort while serving. I'll choose to continue supporting those establishments.

‪#‎joeyrestaurants ‪#‎yegfood

Update may 5th, 2016 - Joey's also has unpaid training shifts which is illegal under the Alberta Labour Laws (signed waiver or not). Seedy shit!”

One person comment on her post, “Absolutely disgusting and sexist to force women to wear high heels. They are bad for your feet, bad for your back, bad for your tendons and calf muscles.”

"My daughter used to work there and her toe was broken three separate times by girls in heels at the restaurant. Her toes have never recovered and she used to have blisters all the time. Sure, they are going to say on here that you can wear flats if you really have to but you will end up paying for it with the less desirable work shifts if you don't dress to their ridiculously high standards and just put up with the heels," commented another person.

The restaurant said that they were upset to see the post and have talked to the employee in question.

“There is no minimum height when it comes to our shoe policy. Shoes range from black dress flats, wedges and heels. For those employees wearing heels, we require the heel height to be no higher than 2.5’," the company told The Independent.UK.

This post went viral the same month when Nicola Thorp, a London-based temp worker was sent home from PwC office for not wearing heels.

“I was expected to do a nine-hour shift on my feet escorting clients to meeting rooms. I said I just won’t be able to do that in heels’,” Thorp told The BBC.

She also filed a petition to make it illegal for a company to require women to wear high heels at work and it has got more than 100,000 signatories on Thursday and will be considered for debate in parliament.

Also read: UK high heels at work petition hits parliament

Footwear also became subject of controversy when women were turned away from red-carpet screening at the Cannes Film Festival for not wearing high heels.

“Multiple guests, some older with medical conditions, were denied access to the anticipated world-premiere screening for wearing rhinestone flats,” Screen Daily reported in May 2015.

This year, actress Julia Roberts walked the red carpet barefoot. Many actresses this year are taking a stand against the unequal wardrobe guidelines at the festival.