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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

People who remove their shoes in an office environment..

239 replies

RougeSeas · 29/11/2016 21:19

AIBU or is this actually now an acceptable thing to do?

I've just gone back in to an office based role, there's a contact centre and i work the other end on a different team.

Many of the women come in, then spend the day walking about with no shoes on..

It seems very unprofessional and a bit grim Envy

OP posts:
worrierandwine · 01/12/2016 08:04

Wherethefuck maybe I'm stuck in the past then and eventually all kids will be allowed to take their shoes off should they choose. We're all entitled to our views but afraid my view is shoes are a necessity in general day to day life (work and school included). IMO shoes should be something to be looked after and help you look together and well presented - yes, I do love shoes as it happens. On the subject of taking shoes off on the dance floor I realise many people do this and I may be in the minority but with dangers of broken glass, sticky drinks, the risk of someone piercing your foot with their shoe and just general grime...I'll keep mine on thanks.

user1471505498 · 01/12/2016 09:52

I don't understand the complaints about people pooing into the toilet? That's what they're for! It makes me laugh as we have to teach our children to go the toilet when they need to do a poo!
What really annoys me is people who don't flush the toilet behind themselves! Yuck!!

worrierandwine · 01/12/2016 10:55

Agreed user where else are you supposed to poo Hmm better out than in Grin

crrrzy · 01/12/2016 12:03

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

user1471505498 · 01/12/2016 12:22

I remember a solicitor I worked for once, she wanted us to record every five minutes of our day, including time spent in the toilet lol. I was very tempted to note down whether I'd done a wee or a poo!!

newmumwithquestions · 01/12/2016 12:25

custardy 😂

Thingiebob · 01/12/2016 13:34

What the hell is wrong with people? Why are socked/stockinged feet so 'eurghh'..? 'Gross.. Bleurgh.. etc. it's so childish. As for screaming about 'poo' -,there really is a contingent of MN who really haven't grown up.

WouldHave · 01/12/2016 15:42

It's standard practice in law firms to record time spent in 6 minute units, i.e. one tenth of an hour. That's how billing, profitability etc are calculated.

lemonzest123 · 01/12/2016 15:51

Work is unbearable enough as it is. Might as well be comfortable while you're working. The only position I'm ever comfortable in at my desk is cross legged. And my socks are clean! (A lot cleaner than the bottoms of my shoes I bet!) Grin

TinaBacon · 01/12/2016 15:52

This is going to blow your mind, OP, but I'm currently working at home and wearing shoes. Grin

Although I may take them off to walk mingingly to the toilet for a shit. Grin

lemonzest123 · 01/12/2016 15:53

"I'm a sloppy drunk who doesn't care enough about my outfit or appearance to keep my shoes on".

That's on my online dating profile.

MrsMoastyToasty · 01/12/2016 16:55

I've worked in a couple of places where the employer has specifically mentioned footwear in the dress code. In both cases it was a requirement to have your toes covered due to the nasty sharp edges on the stairs. The first employer had swanky new premises with granite edged treads on all the internal stairs and the second was because they had metal warehouse/industrial stairs up to the first floor offices.

Pocoyo123 · 01/12/2016 17:28

When I got a job before university to fund my travels, I was partnered with a woman who used to take her shoes off every day too. Her feet smelt of vinegar (what was that all about?) Confused

RichardBucket · 01/12/2016 17:30

lemonzest123 Grin

When I'm in the office alone I often take my shoes off because I feel more comfortable. But only when alone, because I know some people would find it weird.

I've only ever seen one person, on one occasion, with their shoes off in a busy office. I assumed her feet were aching and thought nothing else of it.

I'd be bothered if their feet were smelly, but otherwise I don't think it's any of my business.

TwentyCups · 01/12/2016 17:36

I walk around all day with woolly tights and no shoes. Every single pair of comfortable shoes I own has been deemed not suitable 🙄 I'm yet to be told off for just tights so I'm going to continue to run with it!

starchildareyoulistening · 01/12/2016 17:37

I got some new work shoes and went for skechers that are rubber with holes in like crocs, but as enclosed shoes with a proper back (they are exactly as hideous as they sound but they're comfy for 12 hour shifts on my feet and can be easily chucked in a bucket of disinfectant) - however I realised I'd made a grave mistake when a kitten had diarrhoea over my shoes and it went through the holes so I had shitty feet... Sad The same thing happened a couple of times with dog wee. Some jobs just aren't barefoot-friendly...

michelle0922 · 01/12/2016 17:52

I had to comment on this thread. Had a girl in our office once who would remove her shoes and pick her toes etc. Disgusting. I do think it's a bit unprofessional to walk around bear feet at work especially if others have shoes on. Plus you never know how clean office carpets are!

Roversandrhodes · 01/12/2016 18:03

Minging .Never Worked in an office environment but this would annoy me

BeautyQueenFromMars · 01/12/2016 18:21

I have my shoes/boots off a lot at my desk, and my feet are usually resting on a hot water bottle. I'm often to be found wearing a fleece at my desk, and regularly use a small hot water bottle on my back or stomach, depending on which hurts most or how cold I am.
I work in an office with several men who seem to be blessed with a nuclear corr temperature, so the air con is set to freezing. Being in the minority, I have to make my own arrangements to stay warm.

emmakc1977 · 01/12/2016 18:48

Sitting here at my desk with naked feet as I type this. Strangely it's never crossed my mind that it might be offensive - I have lovely feet though 😄

jayne1976 · 01/12/2016 18:57

It's gross, because people are passing off foot diseases, veruccas and athletes foot, but also mixing contaminating their own feet with what everyone who has the sense to keep their shoes on in such an environment has brought in on their shoes -yuk!

MrsMoastyToasty · 01/12/2016 19:00

If I took my shoes off at work then my cankles and feet would win. I'd never get my shoes back on.

Albadross · 01/12/2016 19:31

Why do people think that heels give a more professional impression though?

We have people with pashminas and giant shawls everywhere where I work and a girl used to sit next to me who constantly told me she was cold in summer when I was baking and there was no oxygen left in the building. Mind you she also took great pleasure in telling me how she'd lost so much weight she now needed to drink coke and eat greasy lunch every day.

I take my shoes off under my desk but if they smelled I wouldn't.

Albadross · 01/12/2016 19:35

There's also the possibility of stubbing your toes, and seeing as this year alone I've broken the same toe twice (first time a jar of peanut butter falling on it) and ripped the skin away from my toenail a couple of weeks ago accidentally kicking the mini stepper I keep under my desk, shoe-like slippers are now a must.

Natsku · 01/12/2016 19:41

Don't see the problem of it to be honest, nicer than someone walking around with outside shoes tracking dirt everywhere. In my last work place most people changed to inside shoes once they got inside, same with all hospitals and clinics I go to - they all change into inside shoes, usually crocks. But shoes inside are very frowned upon where I live, children have to take their shoes off for daycare and school, so people get used to it.