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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To want my work team to wear shoes in the office

95 replies

reddaisy · 14/10/2010 20:37

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?

OP posts:

Original poster

reddaisy · 14/10/2010 21:11

Maisie I definitely want to keep him, he is very likeable but a bit like an overeager puppy who means well but makes mistakes.

OP posts:

vespasian · 14/10/2010 21:11

I have to remember to take my shoes with me if I ever have to move classrooms.

BelligerentGhoul · 14/10/2010 21:12

Mmmm - I may be being weird now but for all I like to be barefoot, I would never contemplate wearing flipflops to work.

KathyImLost · 14/10/2010 21:12

I can't believe anyone cares. I'm so glad I don't work in an office anymore.

Original poster

reddaisy · 14/10/2010 21:13

Quanta Ooh, interesting point. Do you mean plasticky flip flops?

OP posts:

RockBat · 14/10/2010 21:13

I like how the person in question now is smelly and crap at his job... Time honoured MN jumping to conclusions.

mellmum · 14/10/2010 21:15

My DH was wearing socks at work one day and had a freak accident. His little toe got caught in a chair leg and stuck out at right angles to his foot. It took 3 injections and 3 doctors (ever more senior) to pull it back into place. (bit like the giant turnip). Anyway, shoes are to protect feet is my point and in offices there are hazards. Maybe metal chairs, trollies with loads, but different to home. I think it's health and safety that people protect their feet. So YANBU.

HalfTermHero · 14/10/2010 21:18

YABU. Some if the highest earners I have worked with regularly walk around the office in just socks. It is more about performance than footwear, imho.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 14/10/2010 21:19

Reddaisy - just enjoy the exuberance of the young pup. In a few years time he'll be a world weary grump of an old dog who will sleep all day, bar his teeth at you when he's cross and wee in corner

BelligerentGhoul · 14/10/2010 21:22

A pupil once managed to put his chair on my foot and rip my toe nail off but other than that one time, I've been okay! Said pupil was very, very sorry. There was a lot of blood!

Original poster

reddaisy · 14/10/2010 21:22

Mellmum How awful! You would never expect something like that to happen in an office.

Rockbat For the record, there was not an odour issue that I determined but his closer colleagues might be able to comment on that further and he is good at his job. But, in general actually on reflection I think dress code and being aware that there are certain "standards" at work would help get him in the right frame of mind for tidying up his work.

Or I could be overthinking it and shoes or no shoes he may always be a bit careless!

OP posts:

Original poster

reddaisy · 14/10/2010 21:24

Ghoul That was your fault for not wearing shoes!! Yet, you still don't wear them?! I must alert the Daily Mail, they will be shocked and staggered.

OP posts:

Original poster

reddaisy · 14/10/2010 21:26

Maisie Good advice, I remember feeling like he did when I started out and actually I envy him the passion that he has in spades. Mine appears from time to time. But I still wore shoes when I was training!

OP posts:

BelligerentGhoul · 14/10/2010 21:26

Yes - raging hippy idiot teacher causes post-traumatic stress disorder in pupils with her delinquent barefoot behaviour. Up against the wall for her!

FrightNightScreamTight · 14/10/2010 21:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsC2010 · 14/10/2010 21:28

I used to kick my shoes off under my desk (heels), and had been known to forget to put them back on when padding to the photocopier. But I wouldn't go to see a colleague or stray too far round the office without them!

elvislives · 14/10/2010 21:30

YABU. My boss walks around in stockinged feet with no shoes, unless he is going to the kitchen. Yesterday the big boss (3 grades above him) commented on how colourful his socks were.

MrsC2010 · 14/10/2010 21:30

Must add that we wouldn't have clients on the floor I worked on (Big4 accountancy), so I always knew I was safe.

loveinsuburbia · 14/10/2010 21:37

Do you always speak to your team members like that? Yikes.

I keep my shoes on at work, but we have people who take them off. I think it depends on whether customers and clients are ever in the area otherwise it's the work that matters.

mellmum · 14/10/2010 21:38

Another point is that you should be consistent - when I worked for a big investment bank it was ok for some girls to wear flip flops but others most definitely had to have their toes covered. Maybe the ones with flip flops could carry it off more - but all the same it was unfair. (I had a horrible boss who stared in horror at my big toe all day when I dared to wear a peep toe court shoe) - this was in 90 degree heat at the height of summer I might add.

hellzapoppin · 14/10/2010 21:42

I have met more than my fair share of meeja types who hold meetings shoe and sock-less.

One very senior boss is known to regularly pick his feet in meetings. It's indulged by many as a creative quirk- and i don't really care about the bare feet - but i think picking them as someone is talking to you is foul and disrespectful.

JeelyPiece · 14/10/2010 21:42

YABU for speaking to him like he was a naughty child.

Meglet · 14/10/2010 21:46

yabu-ish. I have to wear smart clothes for work and I can't relax and think properly in them, TBH. If it's not customer facing or a H&S problem then I don't think there should be a problem.

I would live in trackpants /bikini's given half a chance. Tight clothes just make me grind to a halt for some weird reason.

MillyR · 14/10/2010 21:47

I must confess I have been to work and had two meetings this week while wearing wellies. I feel that this is symbolic of my mental state and I should be being more organised.

TethHearseEnd · 14/10/2010 21:59

Sprinkle the floor liberally with staples once they've all gone home.

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