to think delivery drivers should take their shoes off?

[sleepycoffeemonster]

We had bedroom furniture delivered today, delivery drivers turned up at the door step with part of the furniture ready to bring in asking where to put it, directed that it would be going upstairs. Up they went, no stopping to take off shoes or cover. Once up stairs one realises he's walked mud up the stairs and in a nice pattern on our light carpet.

How do people who keep shows on indoors not mind this? The house must get so dirty with several people coming and going with shoes on!

We're a shoes off by the door house because if this. Its not even wet out and we have a path from drive to door so not sure how he managed to get so muddy!

I get your point generally.

Also see a health and safety issue with taking shoes off I.e. drop heavy item on foot, hurt foot

So maybe shoe covers?

If he was delivering furniture, I'd expect him to be wearing safety shoes/boots so we need to keep them on.

We are a shoes off family but no I would not expect a delivery driver to take off their shoes. If You don't like them doing you a favour by taking it upstairs then just ask them to drop at the door.

I wouldn't because if they're carrying heavy boxes they'll need foot protections

I would think they need to keep their shoes on for health and safety reasons - so they don't slip or drop the furniture on their foot!

Would you rather take the delivery upstairs yourself?

Another vote for health and safety reasons.

They should have some shoe covers. it is unreasonable to expect them to remove their shoes.

No. It would be a breach of health and safety rules if they are carrying heavy objects.

Well they could always leave your furniture at the door. They should definitely not be taking their shoes off. And not sure about shoe covers. If they have to put them on and take them off 50 times a day it is going to add significantly to their time scales.

I wouldn’t expect them to take them off for safety reasons. My mother in law, who is significantly posher than me, told me that expecting a guest to remove their shoes isn’t good etiquette because it shows you can’t afford to have the carpet cleaned. A bit like leaving the plastic covers on the sofa.

You could have provided shoe covers?
At a push they possibly should have their own.
YABU to ask them to remove their footwear when they are delivering items into your house.

I've been asked a handful of times in 22 years of being a paramedic to cover my boots (I've also been asked to remove them but not a chance with our heavy bags and cylinders!)

Shoes on for safety reasons, same reason they can't wear slippy shoe covers

YABU

Our piano tuner dragged some suspicious looking mud in once and I wasn't pleased but I kept it to myself and cleaned up after he left.

Any guests are free to do what they please, because they are guests and I am hospitable. I would prefer no shoes but understand others don't or can't.

I would have expected them to use shoe covers. Or at least wipe their shoes on the doormat if they were muddy!

No.

Obviously they should not be in their stockinged feet when carrying heavy goods up a stairs.

You could send some feedback to the company suggesting drivers keep a box of shoe covers in their van.

You can buy the disposable covers and keep some at home for situations like this. Terrible for the environment mind.

Even shoe covers are risky as it can cause them to slip and fall. They need to wear shoes so they don't have any accidents. Without that they won't be able to claim compensation should something unfortunate happen. Apparently this applies to cleaners too so mine brings a pair of indoor slippers and changes as soon as she arrives.

Their feet need protecting so need to keep shoes on.

I'm a nurse and those plastic shoes covers can be slippery - especially on carpets and stairs.

Obviously not safe for people to be carrying heavy or bulky items upstairs in their socks.

We all have two choices:

Never let anyone, including delivery drivers or tradespeople, upstairs.

Or choose flooring we can cope getting a bit muddy on occasion.

If i was bothered about shoes off (I'm not) then I would have old decorating sheets or other coverings down ready. As long as it was non-slip.

Definitely should have shoe covers but if they've lifted heavy item from vehicle do they then put it down again to put shoe covers on inside the door then go back out again to lift item?

Yesterday I took a delivery in for a neighbour. Delivery person had a fag hanging out of their gob, and a pile of parcels balanced in their arms/under chin. They can partially into my porch and now it fucking stinks.

You should have put something down to protect your carpet.

No. You or they can provide shoe covers. Noone working in your home particularly delivering furniture or any kind of handling should be made to remove their safety gear.

I guess next time, I'll put sheets down. Its just annoying that even after Ive hoovered theres mud marks everywhere. He took his shoes off after it was pointed out!

We've had a plumbers and electricians in over the last few weeks and both put the reusable covers on first. Its just made me think how people who keep shoes on must have a lot of extra cleaning to do!
Surely for people who think its rude to ask guests to take off shoes, it would be more awkward for both of you to watch your guest walking mud around your house?

Nope. Very unsafe.

Either take it upstairs yourself or put something down to protect your carpet..