Should my daughter be wearing slippers in her office?

[janneyhu]

With the snow last week my 22 year old daughter had been wearing her hunters to work.

But instead of taking shoes to change into she has taken slippers- she says she's not dealing with the public (although clients do visit) and it is more comfortable and practical.

Personally I think this is unprofessional but it does depend on the office environment. However, what she should be careful about is people judging her professionalism but not saying anything. I have often worked in offices where the line manager is unwilling or unable to address the issue of dress code and the impact is felt for the person in terms of how colleagues or even other bosses react. It's completely unfair that a line manager can't or won't step up in these situations but it happens a lot.

Now, if I see a woman (usually a young woman) dressing consistently in appropriately in the office if it's clear no one else is gojng to address it, I will take her aside. Most recently this was fortuitous as the woman was then reprimanded as part of her performance appraisal a few months later and was able to say, "but actually, you are right but have you not noticed that I have dressed more smartly since then as per what I am wearing today?" And her bitch of a manager was forced to concede the truth.

I'm sure your adult daughter can make her footwear decisions herself.

By the end of my last pregnancy I was wearing slippers in the office every day- I couldn't get anything else on! I would have reacted very badly if anyone had complained, tbh.

It would certainly be frowned on where I work.

Some of the responses here aren't very nice, but it might be an idea for your daughter to check whether wearing slippers is considered appropriate. I know if someone at my workplace wore them and they weren't for medical reasons something would be said.

I work for a firm of accountants in Hereford.

We live in a rural area and I have to walk down a lane to catch the bus.

When the weathers bad I often wear willies and although I don't wear slippers in the office neither do I take shoes to change into.

In the office I just go stocking footed even in front of clients. Why would it be an issue let her do what she wants.

wearing slippers in the office is a health and safety because the soles don't tend to be so robust

Neither are most ballet flat pumps. That's not a particularly good reason. Other than where there is a need to be dressed up I can't see an issue.

i keep a pair of slippers under my desk. If i've been out at lunchtime, and my feet have gotten wet, it's nice to be able to put on something warm and cosy while feet/shoes dry off.

i tend not to leave my desk wearing them though.

IMHO it is poss to look smartly dressed without heels

It really depends on the office. I once interviewed somewhere that encouraged people to take shoes off. I'd leave her to it, given she's an adult.

She's a grown up. Right or wrong (I'm in the 'totally depends' camp) it's her choice. Whatever you do don't nitpick at her. It's irritating.

I'm 3 yrs older than you're daughter.
I wear shoes to work and change into slippers in the office (lettings agency).
They are more comfy and easier to wear.

I used to work with someone who wore rubber-soled slippers at work as he said they earthed him and he got electric shocks otherwise. Academic support services. Always put shoes on for meetings. Apart from the one time he was interviewing and forgot completely. After the interviews he was running round "My slippers! My slippers! I forgot to change! The candidates will think I am mad!". We then used to remind him before anything else to check his feet.

I have been known to take my shoes off if they've got wet but there's only me and one other in my office and I put them on to walk the four paces to the staffroom.

To answer your query, YABU. My mum thinks it's highly unprofessional to even talk to my manager so unless you know exactly the formalities of her workplace I suggest to leave well alone.

She can do what she likes as long as her employers are ok with it. Personally, I'd say it's going to look a bit unprofessional but others would say no it's fine.

For god's sake don't be telling her off or what to do or otherwise treating her like a kid though. It's up to her. And if she's cocking up by doing it - it's a lesson for her.

Has she asked you whether or not you think it's ok?

I don't think it's up to you - if her employers don't mind.

What type of office does she work in and does she have shoes with her?

Hi,

No she has'nt asked whether I thinks it's ok- but I d'ont.

She works for a recruitment agency.

I have told her she should wear shoes but she's taken no notice.

Hunters what? or rather what are Hunters?.Sorry real townie here but one who would never wear slippers in a work environment.

Hunters are wellies. They are overpriced and not the warmest by a long shot but I do have a pair

She works for a recruitment agency? Hopefully she changes out of her slippers when clients arrive!

I think she is in a better position to judge what the customs and boundaries of dress at her own workplace, than you are!

Smirking at Hyacinth Bouquet reference to Hunters.

I wear my uggs at work.
I work in a hospital lab though.
If the doctors come along to visit I'm behind the front desk and they can't see my feet anyway :)
So comfy. I'd wear slippers if I was on night shift. Totally.

Lol. I think it's fine. I'm a professional and if I had staff (which I don't as I'm a freelancer) I'd say go for it...but keep your feet under the desk!

Disclaimer: I work in a creative industry.

What makes you think she has to obey you or 'take notice of you', which I assume means you think she should do what you say?

I mean - she hasn't taken any notice of you. And? she's a woman in her early 20s. She doesn't have to obey you.

If her boss feels it is unprofessional - she will be told. And she will learn.

She doesn't have to wear shoes cos mum tells her to. Come on, back off a bit. She's a grown up and entitled to make her own choices. She doesn't have to do. She has to make her own decisions and judgements.