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Original poster

Do you take your boots off in work?

44 replies

janneyhu · 05/01/2015 11:34

Met my Mother on Fri for coffee.

She met me at the office and was shocked that I take my boots off and work in tights feet. I've never really thought about this or bothered with shoes to change into.

OP posts:
SirChenjin · 05/01/2015 11:37

Your boots? As in, normal leather winter boots as opposed to safety boots?

No, I don't take my shoes/boots off in the office - it's v unprofessional, unless you sit at your desk the entire day and don't move to go to meetings/see people in other offices/walk along the corridor to get a coffee/etc

MissWimpyDimple · 05/01/2015 11:38

No! We all work in shoes which I think is usual unless you work at home or totally alone. If you don't want to wear your boots then you should probably take shoes with you.

Unless it's a very casual office and everyone does it which would still be weird but I really can't imagine my male colleagues padding about in socks!

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 05/01/2015 11:41

Only if my boots have leaked and my feet are wet (has happened twice and I did feel a bit odd padding around in sticking soles while waiting for the boots to dry out.) I definitely would have a pair of office shoes to change into if I made a habit of it.

Nabootique · 05/01/2015 11:43

I don't tend to take my foot wear off in winter as I get cold feet, but I have no qualms about padding around in socks/barefoot in the summer. I wouldn't do it if it bothered anyone, but it doesn't seem to and I'm not alone in doing it (I work in an office). Hate wearing shoes, really!

Original poster
janneyhu · 05/01/2015 11:44

Yes they are black knee-length boots.

Had'nt really thought I needed shoes just in the office as I put my boots back on if I'm going out.

OP posts:
SirChenjin · 05/01/2015 11:47

Why do you take your boots off? Confused

Padding about in bare/stockinged feet is just grim - it's a professional workplace, not your home, although most people would just keep quiet about it.

PrimalLass · 05/01/2015 12:04

I would keep shoes under your desk. I wouldn't go barefoot in work.

CMOTDibbler · 05/01/2015 12:07

No. One might change into flats/ shoes, but walking round in bare feet isn't nice in a work enviroment

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 05/01/2015 12:09

I think it's really unprofessional, I agree with your Mum.

What do other people do?

eurochick · 05/01/2015 12:11

It's unprofessional. I would be worried about stray pins and staples on the floor too.

Wailywailywaily · 05/01/2015 12:12

I do, and I have a lovely pair of slippers that are utter biss to pad about in Grin

I am considered a bit odd though Hmm

MrsDiesel · 05/01/2015 12:12

There is a lady in out office who keeps slippers or flip flops under her desk for walking around the office.

burnishedsilver · 05/01/2015 12:13

I'm with your mum. Its a place of business, not your living room.

Wailywailywaily · 05/01/2015 12:14

In summer I am either bare foot or in flip flops. I have happy feet.

irregularegular · 05/01/2015 12:16

I might in the privacy of my own office, but not in front of anyone else! Though if boots were particularly wet and mucky then bringing a pair of clean ballet flats or similar to change into might not be a bad plan (my office has carpet).

Socks/tights/bare feet in front of colleagues is too personal for me.

sherbetpips · 05/01/2015 12:16

ooh no, especially with stinky tights feet. Are you sure your colleagues are happy with you doing this?

RiverTam · 05/01/2015 12:20

well, I wouldn't in the office I'm in at the mo as it is bloody freezing in here, I'm in thermal socks and Uggs right now! But in the summer I've often taken my shoes off and have known plenty of other people do so. But I work in media and it's pretty laid back, as long as you have your shoes on for a meeting who cares? I've seen CEOs and directors wander about in their socks.

LightastheBreeze · 05/01/2015 12:33

I used to keep a pair of shoes at work for if I wore boots, as I found boots felt a bit hot and restricting all day, also I could pop out in the shoes if I wanted. i think if I had gone barefoot it might have been a H and S hazard.

babybarrister · 05/01/2015 18:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsCampbellBlack · 05/01/2015 18:56

I know a lot of people on mn are very much 'shoes off' but in the office is just too much.

Besides toes in tights make me feel ever so slightly ill.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 05/01/2015 19:00

No! One guy at work walks around in his holey socks. It's gross and we all judge him.

TheBuskersDog · 05/01/2015 19:07

No, it seems a really odd thing to do at work. Can you imagine going to the doctors and him/her sitting at their desk with no shoes on.

BanoffeeSplitz · 05/01/2015 19:16

Nope, I do change into shoes though as I have shoes which aren't comfy enough to walk to work in, but which I really like wearing as long as i don't have to walk further than the photocopier. Work is really the only place I could wear them.

I can see how some workplaces would be conducive to clean socks or slippers, but the blokes I work with, the last thing I would want to do is encourage them to get their minging socked feet out.

Doobigetta · 05/01/2015 20:13

I take ballet flats with me if I wear boots- my office is too warm for boots to be comfortable. Wouldn't dream of walking around in socks or tights, that is not professional imo.

IlonaRN · 05/01/2015 20:17

Some people at my work started to do this.
An email came round to remind us all that taking shoes off was considered a Health and Safety issue.