IT almost seems trivial that what we wear in the workplace can cause problems but it’s a fact of business life that it does.

Staff don’t always like the company’s choice if forced to wear some sort of uniform but, left to their own devices and “sense of style”, the results may not always fit in with the company’s image or ethos.

Of course, millions of workers go to their place of business every day perfectly well turned out and fit for purpose. However, just every now and then, an issue is raised that opens the whole can of worms and debate can get heated.

The “should they?” “shouldn’t they?” debate currently relates to wearing high heels at work. Last year, the matter hit all the headlines when receptionist Nicola Thorp was sent home from a major accountancy firm after she showed up in flat shoes and was told she should have worn heels of 2 inches to 4 inches.

A petition she started attracted 152,400 signatures asking for a new law banning companies from demanding that women wear high heels and there was a subsequent investigation by the Commons’ women and equalities committee.

Interestingly, they discovered that women workers have been told to dye their hair, have manicures and even unbutton their blouses to entice male customers.

The whole issue was debated in Parliament and now the Government Equalities Office has ruled out a change in the law. So, companies can still insist that female employees wear high heels, provided male staff have to dress to an “equivalent level of smartness.”

Now, as someone who struggles to wear any kind of high heel for more than an hour or two, the idea of having to spend the working day in heels – possibly on your feet for lengths of time – would be enough to get me checking my CV to send out.

It doesn’t allow for physical disabilities, although you might have to get a letter from your doctor to say that (like Private Bisley in TV’s The Army Game who was “excused boots” because of his feet) you are “excused heels.”

And are employers now open to allegations of discrimination from male workers who prefer to wear a pair of smart stilettos to complement their workwear outfits?

Personally, I think this way lies madness. So, please can we have some common sense in this debate and simply compromise wherever possible?