To want my work team to wear shoes in the office

[reddaisy]

I manage a team and work in a large, open plan office. Today a member of staff came to talk to me wearing just socks (and clothes thankfully).

I told him to go back to his desk and come back with his shoes on. He seemed shocked and asked me if I was joking and that he was "trying to relax."

I replied: "You aren't here to relax, you are at work so put your shoes on."

This is the second time I have spoken to him about this, the first time I did it in a more casual manner but he seemed genuinely surprised that I cared whether he had his shoes on.

The dress code is usual suits, shirt and tie for men and smart office for women.

So, AIBU?

...on the other hand, slippers at work sound pretty good

I'm a teacher and often teach bare foot. Once, we had a fire alarm and I had to go out barefooted in the rain because I didn't have time to put my boots back on.

When I used to teach Drama, I often used to take a pair of ballet shoe shaped slippers to change into.

I think I would feel quite weird about talking to someone in the office in bare feet. I used to slip my shoes off at my desk but always put them back on again if I had to move around.

if there is a dress code as you say, then I dont think its unreasonable to ask someone to wear shoes. Its unpleasant (smelly) to have people walking around in socked feet. Some might not be stinkers, but how do you tell one person they reek and to put their shoes on, when someone else is allowed to walk around in their socks?

If it were a more casual office in general, I'd still have an issue with it. I've worked for 'casual' companies and even though we've all worn jeans and t-shirts we still kept our shoes on.

Its a no no in my opinion.

I think it is weird.

This is his first proper job after uni but he is only in our office (the head office) one day a week so I think he still getting to grips with the real world.

He has been working for us for two years now though so he should be adjusting by now.

There are no clients as such but senior management appear throughout the day and we have regular outside visitors.

i always make sure my nails are well trimmed and painted a pretty colour

today, aqua marine.

oh see i don't wear socks either!

Depends. Do you have unannounced face to face contact with the public or clients at any point? If so, he's BU.

If you sit at the back room, and have just made up this arbitary rule for your team then YABU.

How is his work generally?

Tidybush

Oops - missed your earlier post. If you've spoken to him about it, then I'd just leave it at that.

YANBU - I think it's unprofessional not to wear shoes at work. Slipping them off whilst at your desk, excepted.

yanbu. tis unprofessional.

Maisiethemorningsidecat He has the ability and raw talent to be very good at his job. But he is sloppy and lets himself down.

I often take my shoes off in my office and sometimes in my classroom will do the same, some pupils bought me some slippers to wear. I cannot tell a child off through with no shoes on. I heard a class mutter the other day "Shes putting her shoes on she's angry!"

There are only three of us in my office.

at you having an office AND a classroom. This year, I have neither. :(

So, I end up losing my shoes all over the building!

Have you spoken to him about his sloppy performance? Is he clear about what the company expects from him?

BelligerentGhoul If you kept them on, you wouldn't lose them!

:)

Yanbu
Perfectly reasonable in a professional office environment to want people to wear shoes.

I have slipped heels off under my desk but would always put them on if walking around the office.

Maisie Yes and yes. Actually we have just been given management training which was great showing us how to handle such situations so he is now a work in progress.

Good - always helpful for people to know exactly what is expected of them. If he's able and talented then it sounds as if he's someone to hold on to.

BelligerentGhoul You have given me an idea, if he does it again perhaps I should just hide his shoes. That would teach him a lesson.

MY DP was spoken to by his manager because he wore his slippers in the office. Apparently it 'wasn't' professional (non customer facing) which to be honest I did sort of agree with. However he felt particularly aggrieved as she wore flip flops (bare feet and flip flops) which I also think is unprofessional esp. in a manager.