Another thread about shoes off

[LittleMissDaydreams]

Hi everyone, just after some experiences and advice.

We currently have carers in several times each day.

They are very nice and helpful, except they don't take off their shoes.

The house was clean and hygienic, shoes have never been worn inside, only slippers, and the slippers washed regularly.

The entire house, save the kitchen is carpeted.

I tried doing some googling about this and found some discussions about a "shoes-off house" and that people in general would respect that.

However, our carers don't. We have perhaps ten different people who rotate through depending on their rotas, and they all come in with shoes on, rain or shine, mostly not even wiping feet.

Prior to them coming, we were asked to remove the carpet in one room, I'm not sure why, it was a normal, clean, short-pile, quite new carpet, but we went ahead and put a hard floor down. I don't really mind but it doesn't really make the shoes situation much better, it is still getting dirty, and I am now mopping another floor, just when I don't need extra work.

We provided blue disposable shoe covers, and they wore them for a bit, but now some have said they aren't allowed to wear them, whilst others continue to do so.

We have a baby in the house who needs to be able to play on the floor that they have walked on, and I have a health problem that has left me with a weakened immune system.

It does make me rather sad that we have spend all these years being clean and tidy, and now due to a bit of (hopefully temporary) illness, our carpets are being dirtied.

I know that there are people who don't mind shoes on in their home, and I respect that, but I hope those people understand that some people would prefer or even need shoes off.

I would have thought that shoes off (presuming you put clean socks on) or shoe covers on would promote health and healing.

The carers all seem to have similar shoes so I presume they are standard issue, and they haven't used them to go for a hike up snowdon via a mudslide, buy they nevertheless wear the shoes outside.

I expect someone will come along to cite health and safety, but it seems that that is a catch-all excuse rather like the old "because of covid". Yes they might be going into homes with dirt on the floor or whatever, but that isn't the case in our home, and if that indeed is the reason, why is it acceptable then to track the residue of that into our home.

Thank you for reading.

I viewed a house once which had a sign up inside the door which said something asking the lines of "no shoes please, help yourself to slippers, we want to keep it nice for the new owners". You could do something similar but say for whoever you most want to protect.

I would also speak to the care provider. You are not being remotely unreasonable. They are there to enhance the life of the person they are caring for not traipse through in shoes and cause more work.

Write a list of everything they're doing that's making it impossible for you to live the home life you need to, explain exactly how it impacts you and the baby (as well as the person being cared for), and let the care agency know exactly what you need them to (ie reasonable adjustments)

Make it clear that if they can't do this then you will no longer be able to care for the individual at home and a home would be required.

It will likely be in their organisations Risk Assessment to protect their feet from things falling on them as well as dirty floors and also to allow them to make a speedy getaway should the home visit become hostile. Get the vinyl runners that protect carpet and use them when the carers come a temporary fix for a temporary problem.

They're in the workplace, they need to be allowed wear their shoes.

All houses around us were shoes on all the time with carpeted floors when we were growing up and it was grand, your baby will be fine. If you have carers coming for someone in the house then you have bigger problems, let this one go.

They are there to do a job of work and the shoes are part of their uniform. It's incredibly rude of you to ask them to take their shoes off. They don't have time to pander to you. Just let them get on with the job.

Health and safety of the care staff means they keep their shoes on. I have no idea why you think they are issued with shoes, but they should be wearing full shoes.

I worked as a nurse in someone's home for a few years we always took out shoes if we were told to bring a pair of slippers to keep there it worked well. I personally hate shoes on and find it disrespectful. My mil has trailed dog mess in our house twice!! We're getting new carpets next week and it is a strict shoe of policy

I’d push the shoe covers; I’m in and out of peoples houses and I dislike taking my shoes off but I will do or I carry shoe covers instead.

It is for health and safety, so not sure why you're mocking that idea. And shoe covers makes slips and falls more likely.

I used to work as a carer. We were not allowed to take our shoes off for safety reasons. We may come to harm by stepping on something on your floor, being exposed to bodily fluids or we may need to leave in a hurry if a situation inside your home becomes unsafe. As much as you think this will never happen in your home, you can't guarantee it. We are not your guests. We are here to work and provide professional service and shoes are a part of our uniform.

You think there is unlimited supply of care home placements for people who are worried about their carpets? Don't be silly. First of all, the care agency doesn't organise care homes. They will simply say "Ok, we understand you no longer require our services. All the best". You then contact social services who will (hopefully) come and assess care needs and will very much decide that the person can be cared for at home. And you are then back to square one having wasted everyone's time.

I don’t blame you Op. I would hate this.
The only thing that you can do is to buy some good quality covers and insist they wear them
Or as someone else suggested buy runners

They should be traipsing wet dirty rain all on your carpets no! They should wear shoe covers

**Should not

I thought this would happen. Accused of being "incredibly rude". I don't think anyone could rationally say that I have mocked anyone.

Workplace or not, it's our home. If your job requires special attention to cleanliness, it ought to be respected. If you were working on conserving a piece of art and were asked to wear a mask, you would do so. Surgeons gown up to protect patients.

Thank you to those who have been kind and the suggestion of runners is a good one.

The nurse who said s/he took shoes off in the home s/he worked in is most telling, so thank you.

Medically apeaking, as I mentioned, I have a reduced immune system. Does that matter for nought?

To those telling me how awful I am and how dangerous it is to not wear shoes, what is the objection to shoe covers? Thanks.

Ignore them, some of them do it on purpose. Of course it's rude to traipse dirty water on your carpets! There is no excuse not to wear shoe covers.

I've been told it's a slip hazard. Really?

I was asked to wear them at a museum. Surely they wouldn't be risking the general public if they are a risk.

I would give them the option of the slip covers or shoes off. I agree it’s your home, ffs.

But in a museum your not using any equipment or exposed to bodily fluids on the floor are you?

There are no bodily fluids on the floor, but maybe I could get one of those giant Caution Wet Floor signs that they like to use in public spaces 🤔

Are the carers using any equipment? Are they doing any lifting?

Dust sheets? Put them down when carers arrive then take them back up once they leave? Saves you cleaning the floor constantly.

I have carers in for my son and have a toddler. When he was a baby I just made sure the room he went on the floor was not a high traffic room. When my father died I think my mother was just so grateful for the help caring for him that vacuuming the floor was a small price to pay.

Another option is you offer to pay for the careers to buy inside shoes to be worn at your house. I work in peoples houses and I hate taking my shoes off, I did used to take slippers but they don't support your foot like shoes do so got an inside pair of shoes to change into when a family have a shoes off rule

I work for the NHS and home visits are part of my role. I always take my shoes off if asked. I can't see the problem with using shoe covers if they don't want to take their shoes off.

I used to be a carer and would always take my shoes off. Surely they can carry inside shoes with them?