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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

perfectstorm · 03/12/2013 08:10

NHS physio referrals have in my experience been crap. They mutter about support belts and Pilates exercises. What is actually happening, the research has shown, is your joints are out of alignment due to ligaments supporting them inadequately - it's like a sports injury, and you need hands-on manipulation by someone who really knows what they're doing and specialises in pelvic injury. Honestly, it can help so much - PM BoffinMum who did a lot of research into it when badly affected. My physio runs injury clinics for rugby players when not helping women with SPD/PGP! Check out the Pelvic Partnership info and recommended practitioners. It really is not just something you need to silently endure.

I know I keep saying this, but post to Employment for Flowery's advice on what to tell your manager? You should be entitled to somewhere to sit when not actually serving customers, and the right to comfy footwear. In cases of disability employers are supposed to make reasonable adjustments, and they're aso supposed to protect the health of pregnant women and give them duties that don't endanger them. She can advise you on what to ask for tactfully and within the law.

Only in all honesty, I don't think UGGS will help your SPD one tiny bit either.

sashh · 03/12/2013 08:27

OP do you know the mirror trick for swollen feet?

You need a mirror mounted on a wall, a mirror on a wardrobe door is perfect.

Now the difficult bit with a bump, lie flat on your back with your bare feet on the mirror, your feet should be 12 - 18 inches off the floor.

Stay like that for 5 mins, and have help on hand to help you get up.

MistAllChuckingFrighty · 03/12/2013 09:50

Could you ask your employers for a tall stool to perch on when you are not actually serving customers ?

Parliamo · 03/12/2013 10:13

www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights

All this bollocks about 'suck it up', and 'what do you expect if you work in a 'high-end' retail', and 'I did so you should too' really gets to me. The op is uncomfortable and suffering from spd and has the misfortune to be working for a manager lacking in any consideration. However much money she spends on shoes won't take away from the fact that she needs to be off her feet and resting.

She has the right to be accommodated, and if she isn't being accommodated, the right to be suspended on full pay. But that involves speaking up and making yourself difficult and arguing your case. And i would hasard a guess no union to argue her case. Which is why I would advise going off sick - it's easier and quicker.

I don't suppose you have easy access to occupational health, op?

ginnybag · 03/12/2013 10:20

OP, are the majority of your customers women who are likely to have had children?

If so, you might point out that you've had a few muttering about your employer NOT letting you sit down....

I would, if I saw you. It would actually make me think less favorably about the brand. If they care enough about their image to worry about your footwear, then they should care about the impression a tired, in pain, heavily pregnant assistant gives when it's clear she doesn't even have a chair!

ENormaSnob · 03/12/2013 10:21

I would go off sick and start mat leave at 36weeks.

TravelinColour · 03/12/2013 10:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ENormaSnob · 03/12/2013 10:47

Not til 36 weeks.

MistAllChuckingFrighty · 03/12/2013 11:04

I thought that rule was 29 weeks. I may be out of date with that, though.

SignoraStronza · 03/12/2013 11:37

I have lymph problems and permanently swollen feet, legs and cankles. Pregnancy makes it even worse. I was running around a busy restaurant at 36 weeks and wore shoes from Evans, New Look wide fit, and M&S. There are plenty of alternatives to UGGS (which I can't get into anyway).

flatmum · 03/12/2013 11:47

I have 3 dc and had sever spd in all of them, on crutches by end of third one, he is 3 and it is still bad and I am due to see a surgeon soon to see what can be done - sympathies, you may have to consider a career in retail if you are planning to have more.

Anyway, just out of interest, I started out as a 3 and 1/2 and have just bought my first pair of 5's - over 3 pg and 9 years.

Only shoes that were bearable for me with the spd were Birkenstocks, obv couldn't wear them to work, not least because mine were all born in the winter. I work in an office and people come in in trainers and I just "forgot" to change them most days. Get some black trainers?

flatmum · 03/12/2013 11:48

Re-consider

gnittinggnome · 03/12/2013 13:58

Hiya, just read the first page of comments so not sure if this has been mentioned...

I'm also 32 weeks pregnant, and if I know I'm going to be on my feet for a long time I wear support socks, like the ones you wear for flying, or surgery - they are a little tight across the feet/ankles and help stop your ankles from swelling up. I wore them recently on a trip where I was literally on my feet all day, and was so glad I had them on. You can buy them at Boots or other pharmacies, they are not very cheap (think around 15 quid) but absolute life savers. Minimise the prospect of varicose veins too!

perfectstorm · 03/12/2013 14:04

Mist it was 29 when I had DS. Seems it's now 36 - I googled because I thought that too, but the trigger point is now 36.

I get the impression that OP needs the Christmas overtime, and her manager needs her to do it as well. That being so the manager needs to work with her... but I do think getting the info on how PGP needs to be managed and what needs to happen to avoid her ending up in a wheelchair by 35 weeks needs to be discussed.

jammiedonut · 03/12/2013 14:05

You can voluntarily start mat leave at 29 weeks, but it can only be triggered from 36 weeks if you are suffering from a pregnancy related sickness. Plenty of employers will try to misled their pregnant workers, or pressure them to take their leave early, but is absolutely your right to take your leave when YOU decide. I suffered this sort of discrimination, but luckily I had read up and told them I would take my leave when I was ready. Any sick days (as long as pregnancy related) also cannot be counted against you later.

MistAllChuckingFrighty · 03/12/2013 22:50

thanks you two, I stand corrected

tudorqueen · 05/12/2013 21:08

I have a receptionist in the GP surgery where I'm a practice manager who's 32 weeks as well. Our receptionists and admin staff have a uniform and plain black low heeled court shoes are part of that (or high if they want, or ballet pumps). However, this one, like you, is more comfortable in Uggs. Does it affect her job? Hell no. Who cares. There's so much more to being able to do your job than wearing the right shoes. I do believe I've also some in wearing Uggs in Winter before and as for the footwear of some of the male GPs.....well....

LuciusMalfoyisSmokingHot · 05/12/2013 21:29

When i was pregnant with DD, in my job i had to wear steel toe caps, and after a certain time, i couldnt get my fat feet in them, so i was allowed to just wear plain black shoes.

after about 34 weeks i could only wear my sandals.

littleducks · 05/12/2013 21:29

I wore these in a size 42 for the last two months of my last pregnancy. Not supportive at all but the only 'open' and soft shoes i could find that looked smart enough for work.

Broodymomma · 05/12/2013 22:24

You poor thing I feel for you. I have wide feet as it is and remember my last day at work 37 weeks pregnant wearing flip flops in February as it was literally the only thing my swollen feet would fit into that morning when I woke up. Good luck with the baby

Caitlin17 · 06/12/2013 00:28

Some one mentioned Gabor, not terribly stylish but very comfy. I bought them when I was pregnant and also much cheaper option of a size up from BHS. If money is a concern get the cheapest as they will be too big after the birth.

Try a low wedge heel rather than completely flat.

holidaysarenice · 06/12/2013 00:50

Its not your managers place to offer it. How hard did you try 2 shops or 20? Have you ordered any to try?

Uggs are like slippers.

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 06/12/2013 02:02

Without a doubt the best and most comfortable thing i found to wear when heavily pregnant were Birkenstocks. They do sale section on the website too so might be lucky to get some cheaper.

MidniteScribbler · 06/12/2013 04:07

YANBU to expect to be able to sit down when possible during the day. Surely it's not hard for them to supply you with a stool behind the counter that you can perch on when not assisting customers?

YABU to expect to wear slippers to work.

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