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Original poster

Is it ok to go shoeless is an office?

49 replies

gemmababe35 · 02/07/2015 13:23

Just wondering with the hot weather if this is acceptable?

I am unsure, but my daughter does it all the time.

OP posts:
Mulligrubs · 02/07/2015 16:05

No matter how lovely your feet are, it is very unprofessional and quite disgusting. I hate wearing shoes/socks indoorS. At home I am always barefoot. But at work shoes stay on. Under your desk where nobody can see is one thing but walking around with no shoes on is unacceptable.

AlpacaPicnic · 02/07/2015 20:55

At the very least, I'd expect flipflops. But tidy ones, not like you'd wear in the showers at a swimming pool.

Hexadecimal1 · 02/07/2015 20:56

It's absolutely rank and totally unprofessional

DoItTooJulia · 02/07/2015 20:58

Wasn't the last thread like this also about a daughter and her shoelessness? Freakily similar.

Carpaccio · 02/07/2015 21:07

Having seen how bad the cleaning is in some companies, I wouldn't walk barefoot in the offices. Everyone else walks around in the shoes they have worn outside, and there is a lot of disgusting stuff they can drag in. I bet the people taking their shoes off in the office are not coming home and washing their feet before getting into bed or on the sofa?

The health and safety issue someone else mentions is also very relevant.

A lot of people aren't aware of how bad their feet smell, and taking shoes off doesn't make the smell any better.

It also looks silly dressing up in smart clothes for work, and then walking around in socks or bare feet. Even in offices without a dresscode, I have never seen anyone walking around witout shoes.

Why not buy some good, smart shoes that are comfortable enough to wear inside?

Tisgrand · 03/07/2015 08:48

Unprofessional.
Unhygienic.
Unsafe.
Ugly.
Please don't.

suzynash · 04/07/2015 15:17

Why are people so against this!!

I work in an insurance brokers and while I wouldn't go barefoot, I am always in socks or tights feet even in front of clients.

My feet don't smell and I take care of them.

On the rare occasions when I'm asked I just say I prefer taking my shoes off in the office.

My daughter has a Sat job in Savers and she goes in her socks behind the till, and keeps so bubble wrap to stand on for comfort.

specialsubject · 04/07/2015 15:29

there is a very limited choice in the UK of respectable comfortable shoes for women - it is mostly stupid ballet flats or hideous clumpy four inch heels. But there are some out there and you need to buy them if you have to be smart for work.

I would not think much of an office professional without shoes, because she appears not to have the sense to buy any suitable ones. You don't see men doing this.

suzynash · 04/07/2015 15:35

Why should I have to buy shoes just for work - got better things to do with my money.

Ludways · 04/07/2015 15:47

Not acceptable in my office, oven ever seen anyone do it. Ok to remove them under your desk but slip back on to walk about.

ZaraW · 04/07/2015 16:02

Never, especially in summer. It's weird that some people think it's acceptable.

KimSlazinger · 04/07/2015 16:05

I think it's the same as wearing your pjs to work. A bit too familiar.

KoalaDownUnder · 04/07/2015 17:09

suzynash, are you serious?!

You should buy shoes for work because dressing properly shows respect to your clients. That's why.

If I walked into an insurance brokers and was

KoalaDownUnder · 04/07/2015 17:11

...confronted by someone in stockinged feet or socks, I'd be Shock.

Snowberry86 · 04/07/2015 17:13

Gemmababe- nope no-one ever said anything. The kids get used to it pretty quick and it just becomes the norm!

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 04/07/2015 17:39

I can't believe anyone would not buy shoes that are suitable for work TBH. Unless you have to have special safety ones or similar when they are provided by the employer.

SelfLoathing · 04/07/2015 18:35

Why are people so against this!!
I work in an insurance brokers and while I wouldn't go barefoot, I am always in socks or tights feet even in front of clients.
My feet don't smell and I take care of them.

Susynash frankly I'm surprised you have any clients at all! I totally agree with Koala. It says that you are basically an utter chav who puts their own self comfort above all else. It's so unprofessional. Besides, no one wants to see other people's feet. Feet are ugly. Even "model feet" aren't nice. Who care's if you take care of them and they don't smell? Point missed.

Two examples that may help you adjust your really unpleasant attitude to your clients:

  1. How would you feel if you had cancer, needed a life saving operation and went to see a consultant oncologist. When you got there, she had greasy unkempt hair and was wearing a ripped wife beater vest, ripped jeans and flip flops?

Would it fill you with confidence? I expect you will say "wouldn't care" but actually you would. Because how you dress is not just about your own self respect, it's about how others perceive you.

  1. Say you felt most comfortable on a hot day, in a bikini - would think it appropriate to go to work in a bikini? It's the same point - it's your comfort above all else.

Fine to take your shoes off under your desk if no one can see but if you are walking around, or god forbid, meeting clients put your shoes on! Show a bit of respect for yourself and your clients.

Can you imagine the Queen meeting people with her shoes off? No. Because unlike you she knows how to behave.

Coincidenceschmoincidence · 04/07/2015 20:38

I can't imagine ever meeting a client without shoes on. Ever. I've worked in offices 18 years and have never taken my shoes off, even under my desk.

I change into flip flops to go to lunch (it's a 10 min walk into town - too far for heels) but change straight back after.

Don't do it if you want to be seen as being professional.

RiverTam · 04/07/2015 20:41

Yes, have done it many a time, as have other people in these offices. I work in a pretty laid back industry, no one would give a stuff. I wouldn't in a meeting though, not that j attended many meetings.

Wagglebee · 05/07/2015 04:52

Another first time poster with another daughter working in another office minus shoes.

Vivacia · 05/07/2015 07:45

The problem with this is that quite often people can't smell their own smelly feet/breath/armpits. So the people saying, "I'm always going bare feet and my feet are fine" could well be the same people that others are saying, "my colleague goes barefoot and her feet stink".

burnishedsilver · 05/07/2015 09:11

To those of you that think it's ok because no one has ever said anything - No one is ever going to say it to your face. It doesn't mean they're ok with it.

hiccupgirl · 05/07/2015 10:33

I tend to take my shoes off in the office if it's hot but only under the desk and I don't walk around in bare feet at work....the floor is too yucky and the air conditioning makes it's really chilly a lot of the time.

I wouldn't be bothered by someone sitting with their shoes off at work but I would raise an eyebrow if they didn't then put the shoes back in when they stood up to meet me.

beckyglam · 11/07/2015 14:51

I work in an estate agents and although I make a point of being well groomed must confess my heels are always off under the desk!!

When a client comes in I slip them back on although if it's winter and I've taken my boots off I don't bother.

I wouldn't go barefoot in the office but can't see a problem with stocking feet.

I DO take care of my feet, and they DON@T smell!!

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