Lipsticks, High Heels Advised At Work

By Staff

Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 12:03

The Bank of England has attracted much criticism for having directed its female employees about how to dress to work. The bank had organized 'The Dress for Success' lecture and hired a professional image consultancy firm to advice the female employees about the 'right look'.

The lecture talked about the proper shoes, make up and jewellery at workplace and cautioned against certain accessories that could make the women look like a prostitute. It read: "Look professional, not fashionable; be careful with perfume; always wear a heel of some sort, maximum two inches; always wear some sort of makeup, even if it's just lipstick.

It added: "Shoes and skirt must be the same colour. No-nos include ankle chains,professional, but not the one you want to be associated with, white high heels; overstuffed handbags; an overload of rings, and double-pierced ears."

The session has attracted various critical responses, with some dubbing it as a waste of money at the times of recession. "What the Bank of England is doing is appalling. They are spending our money on these things. It is farcical." sadi Ruth Lea, economic advisor to the Arbuthnot Banking Group and former director of the Centre for Policy Studies.

"Not only will eyebrows be raised that an event like this has been held just as we are entering recession, but it sends out damaging messages to women working at the Bank of England." said Katherine Rake, director of The Fawcett Society, the leading women's rights group, further added. AGENCIES