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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

'Inappropriate footwear' at work?

124 replies

Babysealion · 02/12/2013 12:27

I work in high-end retail and am 32 weeks pregnant. My feet have swollen up and it's now uncomfortable for me to wear anything except my Ugg boots.
For the last week at work I have been wearing them along with maternity clothes - the dresses that my company sell no longer fit me, and look hideously skin tight now anyway!
I'm doing 9 and 10 hour days where I am stood on my feet almost constantly.
This morning my manager told me I had to go change my shoes and had to go back to wearing my old black work ones which literally do not fit me. I have been shopping to try and get a bigger size but I don't have a lot of spare money and I can't seem to get any comfortable ones that I don't have to shove my feet into.
Work have told me I am no longer allowed to wear my boots. AIBU to think this is unfair? Or am I being 'entitled' as someone at work so kindly put it?

OP posts:
vtechjazz · 02/12/2013 12:51

Frankly, I'm stunned that you had the brass neck to roll up to work, in a 'high end' shop wearing a pair of slippers uggs.

onlysettleforbutterflies · 02/12/2013 12:51

It doesn't sound like Uggs are appropriate at all, but you need to find a compromise with your boss, i.e. flat smart shoes. Could you try a pair of footglove type shoes from M+S they are very comfortable or just any flat shoes really, New Look, Next, Matalan...

NoAddedSuga · 02/12/2013 12:53

When i was pregnant, my feet were that massive that i could only wear flip flops or ugg boots. They werent the official ugg boots, just tesco ones. They were very wide on the ankles and that's why i could wear them.

Nothing else fitted, it was as simple as that!

Inappropriate footwear does not include ugg boots.

Dont let work bully you, if you cant get your feet into anything else, then what do they expect you to do? Walk around barefoot?

Halfling · 02/12/2013 12:53

Seraphine shoes designed for pregnant women. Here www.seraphine.com/shoes.html

Halfling · 02/12/2013 12:54

Clickable link www.seraphine.com/shoes.html

HerlockSholmes · 02/12/2013 12:55

i work in the shit end of retail and even i wouldn't wear ugg boots to work.

try and find a bog standard pair of black wide fit shoes, they dont have to be beautiful just comfy- its only for a few weeks.

Lj8893 · 02/12/2013 12:57

I had the same problem as you in my pregnancy, and work in a very similar role to you. But no I wouldn't have worn uggs.

I found some very comfortable shoes in m&s and some in simply be catalogue (they offer wide fit sizes which were a blessing!!)
I also had a stool behind the till point that I sat down on in quiet periods which really helped take the weight off my poor feet!

If it really is that bad for you though could you possibly take on some work in your back office so your sat down for a while during the day, even if its not all day it will still give your feet some rest but means your still doing useful work.

specialsubject · 02/12/2013 12:58

try a shoezone if you are a size 7 or under - plenty there on the cheap.

Birdsgottafly · 02/12/2013 12:59

"Just really annoyed me that my manager didn't seem to want to offer a solution, especially when I'm doing a lot of extra hours for them over Christmas"

I can understand the lack of flexibility, if the reason why you are not buying shoes, is to save money.

As far as they are concerned you are still getting a wage that you have managed to live on previously and are even doing overtime.

I know women who have been allowed to wear all black pump type shoes, but as wear Uggs, you mite as wear slipper boots.

Original poster
Babysealion · 02/12/2013 13:00

I am willing to compromise and find black, smart shoes - just don't have a load of money to chuck away on a pair of shoes for the next 8 weeks and have struggled to find a comfortable pair in the shops I have looked in, I am trying my best and just wondered what work expected me to do given that I'm expected to stand for hours on end.
When I get home I will look through all the links/websites people have given me

OP posts:
youretoastmildred · 02/12/2013 13:01

Sounds horrible. I feel your pain.
You need wide shoes, probably, not just a longer size than usual. Did you ask for wide fittings in Clarks?
M&S is a good call.
Also you can get gel padded insoles, not sure how long they last or how expensive they are.
Also support tights might make you feel better.

Original poster
Babysealion · 02/12/2013 13:03

No I didn't mildred I wasn't aware many places did wide fitting, I also will look into support tights.

OP posts:
5Foot5 · 02/12/2013 13:04

Shoezone? The shoes aren't great but they are cheap and if you just want something to last for the next few weeks they might suffice

mrssmith79 · 02/12/2013 13:05

Try Asda, Tesco, BHS and New Look - they all do 'comfort' / wide ranges too.

Picturesinthefirelight · 02/12/2013 13:06

Ugg boots didn't exist when I was pregnant. I bought a new cheap pair of shoes a size up in a wide fitting

Ugg boots are terrible. Dd would love a pair but she is a ballet dancer with high arches & they have zilch support.

RatHammock · 02/12/2013 13:07

Could you borrow some shoes from a friend or relative for a few weeks? If not, perhaps try a charity shop in a nice area for some suitable shoes in a larger size.

TheHeadlessLadyofCannock · 02/12/2013 13:14

Gabor do different widths and are supposed to be very supportive and comfortable, but look quite stylish.

perfectstorm · 02/12/2013 13:18

Standing a lot in late pregnancy makes your feet swell. Actually being on my feet a lot made my legs/feet swell from 20 weeks or so, and by now, I don't stand much!

These are good but horribly expensive, if you won't want to wear them afterwards. But if you work somewhere like LK Bennett I can see why Uggs wouldn't cut it - do they not sell ballet-style pumps in your workplace you can add padded insoles to?

I agree you need a new risk assessment, which will allow you to sit down more.

TheSmallPrint · 02/12/2013 13:18

Poor you, my feet and ankles swelled horribly at around 6 months and most of my shoes stopped fitting - I was particularly upset that a pair of ankle boots I'd bought the week before would no longer go on my feet! I had no health issues with the oedema other than the symptoms it gave me (including carpal tunnel!)

Agree with others about the Uggs and also about M&S footglove shoes.

Middleagedmotheroftwo · 02/12/2013 13:21

I do feel for you OP. The only shoes I could wear while I was pregnant were flip flops, because my feed swelled up so much. But I worked in an office and could hide my feed under the desk, I wasn't in a customer facing role.

I think there's a duty on your employer to find you a role which suits your abilities - could you work on the till or something until you go on mat leave?

I agree that UGGs are not suitable for wearing in a fashion retail role, and that it's not worth spending on bigger shoes for a short time only.

You'll find that your feet will shrink to normal size quite quickly after the baby is born.

perfectstorm · 02/12/2013 13:22

Actually Shoe Therapy have a sale at the moment on their plain pink buckle ballerina. I know they're dull but they are work appropriate, and they're designed by podiatrists specifically for people like you and me (I have arthritis in a toe I broke a while ago, as well, so heels are out). Obviously it's a bit gimmicky and they over-sell the benefits, but I have found them genuinely helpful in the past myself.They're £59, would that be okay?

ShoeTherapy is recommended during pregnancy and also for the post-partum phase. The extra weight during pregnancy often results in back aches and bad posture. ShoeTherapy action on your posture will help alleviate back pain and stress on your joints. Heavy legs and swollen ankles are also symptomatic during pregnancy and the sole's active principle will relieve these symptoms.

SpookedMackerel · 02/12/2013 13:22

When my feet swelled up in pregnancy my consultant prescribed support stockings. Not exactly glamorous, but they would help with the swelling and stop you getting varicose veins or anything like that - you might even fit in your normal shoes again.
Agree you need a new risk assessment with as much non-standing work as possible.

AdventColander · 02/12/2013 13:26

As others have said, your employer needs to provide you with a seat, so that hopefully your feet won't swell too much. They should also let you wear footwear that is comfy while being smart enough to have a professional appearance.
I can see why they would object to ugg boots but if they are the ONLY thing that feels comfy could you wear them on your journey to work and keep some flat ballet type slippers at work to change into? Just a thought. Ballet slippers are cheap to buy in most shops and can look smart or won't be visible if worn under long trousers.

AdventColander · 02/12/2013 13:26

As others have said, your employer needs to provide you with a seat, so that hopefully your feet won't swell too much. They should also let you wear footwear that is comfy while being smart enough to have a professional appearance.
I can see why they would object to ugg boots but if they are the ONLY thing that feels comfy could you wear them on your journey to work and keep some flat ballet type slippers at work to change into? Just a thought. Ballet slippers are cheap to buy in most shops and can look smart or won't be visible if worn under long trousers.

fluffyraggies · 02/12/2013 13:26

Tesco and Asda sell black ballet pumps up to a size 7, for about £5/6, OP.

Not much 'support', but certainly no less than uggs, and much smarter. It can only be for another 3 weeks or so surely. You're 32 weeks already.

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