New job - is it ok to go shoeless in branch

[busymom123]

Hi,

Got a new P/T job starting next week in a small b soc branch. Is shoes off behind the counter ok?

I would at least wait until you've started work and got to know your colleagues before you flick off your shoes and reek the office out.

Obviously this is the point where you'll claim your feet don't stink. They do.

And as a customer if I saw someone slopping across the office in their bare feet I'd think you were more likely to take a lackadaisical approach to looking after my account too. You may protest, but it's a question of perception.

Some jobs just require a little more professionalism than others.

Can I wear my pyjamas? I have a long day and it would save time when I get home.

Just get some comfortable shoes

I wouldn't want to see feet.

I work in senior management in a building society, this would be frowned upon if we saw this happening. Wear comfy shoes

Not on your first day or when senior management are visiting other than that I would see what the other cashiers do, tbh I would have thought the main thing is that your customers are happy.

Even if the other cashiers took their shoes off, I'd still keep mine on. For all you know, they might be regarded as that terrible branch who need sorting out.

no. Inability to buy shoes that fit and can be walked in does not give off 'I'm smart and organised' signals.

buy some fit for purpose shoes.

Yes just buy comfortable shoes. There are masses of threads on here about flat shoes that look good, all with good ideas on them.

Just buy flats and keep them under your desk.

Don't see the issue tbh. Go for it - especially if nobody can see your feet anyway.

I volunteer in a p/school and the teacher frequently kicks off her shoes (her lovely, comfortable, flat shoes FYI) and has a lovely teaching style.

I take my shoes off at work sometimes.
If you're being descrete, and your legs are tucked away under a desk, ie you just pop your feet out and place them next to your shoes on the floor to give them a little break. I think that's fine.

But no I wouldn't walk around without my shoes on.

No, sorry. Find some good shoes.

I would check with your manager first.

Never understand the argument that you have to wear heels to look smart.

I work for a small branch of Leeds B Soc and always go in my tights feet, even sometimes in front of clients.

No my feet don't smell (TBH they are more likely to if in shoes all day) and I take care of my appearance and try to look well groomed.

Don't see the issue either. What is shoeless the same as skirtless and pyjamas?

Many people take off their shoes at friends' houses. I know no one take off their skirts.

Pyjamas your clients can see you not in uniforms. None of your clients can see your feet.

I regularly go barefeet between the kitchen and my desk.

Or maybe it's just I'm not professional enough for the world of mumsnet? I don't even know how that's defined anyway.

Exactly - why is it so impt to wear shoes. Plus a lot of people like me don't like frumpy looking flats.]

I love my heels but in work going shoeless is much more pratical and comfy.

Why is the only other option frumpy looking flats?! I've always worn heels at work, well fitting comfortable ones, and when I'm sitting down they are just as comfortable as any other shoe!

flats don't look frumpy. It is high heels that are ugly, and make for a stupid duck walk. They are bad for posture, back and knees too, although that's your problem.

the issue is not seeing your feet, it is smelling them - and if they've been crammed into heels they will definitely REEK.

'I take care of my appearance and try to look well groomed.'

Yeah, walking round in tights feet really looks well-groomed and professional.

Agree with expat. Why do bare feet look more well groomed then a nice, comfortable pair of shoes?!

Definitely wait until you're known and liked.
And all the people calling branch work "finance" are making it sound a hell of a lot more fancypants than it actually is. (was assistant manager of a bank branch in a very swanky area)
Also, if pregnant, most rules go out of the window! I spent several months in non-uniform maternity dress and Birkenstocks!

Good lord. It's not the reeking or supposed eccentricity that bothers me. It's the fact that in this day and age women still think it's perfectly reasonable to wear uncomfortable shoes to work all day in the name of fashion. Sadly I can't imagine a thread like this being started by a man. Heels for a party maybe, but all day at work? Not a chance!

Just realised it sounded like I was saying men would wear heels to a party . I must say I haven't seen any doing that.

I started a thread recently in S&B, looking for some nice flats. Some really good suggestions in there, non-frumpy too!

Lol yes I wore Birkenstocks when pregnant last summer. DD2 was born in September. I was feeling so so hot.