The committee heard that requiring staff to wear particular shoes could make staff more prone to slips and trips or injuries to the feet. The RCPod podiatrists’ union pointed to evidence showing that women who wore high heels for long periods of time had reduced balance, reduced ankle flexion, and weaker muscle power in the calf. This significantly alters the mobility of the foot and puts the wearer at a much greater risk of associated disabilities over a long period of time. MPs also heard evidence suggesting that gender-based dress codes “go hand in hand” with a work environment in which women, particularly young women — are objectified and left vulnerable to sexual harassment and unwanted sexual attention (see Chapter 8).