A significant number of female workers are not permitted to wear comfortable or practical footwear by their employers, the TUC has claimed.

In the course of researching its new Working Feet and Footwear report for its members, the unions group found that the problem was particularly acute among large city banks and high-end retail stores.

And while employers are legally required to carry out risk assessments so as to protect the health and safety of staff members, many are not taking into consideration the potential impact of high heels, TUC chairman Brendan Barber explained.

"Heels may look glamorous on the catwalks and on Hollywood stars, but they’re not appropriate for day-to-day work wear," he told the Financial Times.

"These dress codes - apart from being blatantly sexist - can lead to long-term foot and back problems as women are forced to stand or walk around in high heels or ill-fitting footwear."

According to the British Retail Consortium, members are encouraged to keep staff wellbeing as their number one priority, dress codes and uniform requirements are a matter for individual businesses.