LONDON (AP) — A British receptionist who mustered public support after she was sent home from work for refusing to wear heels has been vindicated.

Nicola Thorp, 27, had been told in December that her flat shoes were unacceptable in London while on assignment. She was sent home without pay after refusing to change her shoes.

But Thorp fought back, writing up an online petition asking for it to be made illegal for employers to require female workers to wear heels at work.

Simon Pratt, the managing director of the Portico employment agency, said Wednesday night the firm had changed its policy to allow workers to wear flat shoes if they prefer.

Thorp's petition had attracted more than 54,000 signatures before the company's policy was changed.