Have you ever been asked to remove your shoes when working?

[Ldnmum2015]

I am a cleaner, today on a new booking a customer asked me to remove my shoes, I told her I didn't usually do that as my shoes are covered and they are to protect my feet from product spillages and from banging my toes (new flat don't know the layout, more prone to do this) after she showed me the bathroom which had a walk-in shower, I point blankly refused to clean and cancelled, I had another job straight after hers and I didn't want to be walking around with wet socks or dirty feet. She said that her old cleaner never saw it as a problem which I found a bit shocking. I was just wondering has anyone else encountered this?

[FrikkaDilla]

OP, I think the best thing you can do is get rid of that huge chip on your shoulder.

[redhat]

You're not visiting people though OP, you are working in their home. You might not think it's polite to ask guests to remove their shoes but you are not a guest.

I'm quite amazed that you're making this into such a big deal. If your socks are all that holey or odd then just make sure you have nicer socks on if you're working. And take some slippers, it's hardly a big deal but shows respect for your clients.

[BeauGlacons]

My cleaners have always brought slippers. Never thought about it. In recent times delivery men have always used plastic covers.

After 30+ hears of using a cleaner this has never been an issue because they have always brought slippers.

[GreenMarkerPen]

but then you could kneel/sit down to take off/change shoes surely?

[Ldnmum2015]

To sum up frikkadilla, you kneel down to clean windows, cupboards, pick stuff off the floor etc. you never bend your back. I know this because, I am a professional and bothered to do a qualification, and obtain yearly, first aid/ h&s certificates.

[Ldnmum2015]

That I a little bit cheeky, frikadilla, for your information, on my nvq course, we were taught to protect our backs, so actually we don't bend down in the same action that I would have to do to put on shoes (your suppose to use a chair as support), but your arrogance is amazing, as it goes I am not too difficult, just looking after my health and safety like everyone else is entitled to do, would this customer be paying my medical bills or for time off work if i had slipped? Just because i am a cleaner, doesn't mean people can look down on me and take the mick, it simply means that in order to my job properly i have to be strict about my own h&s, i don't need another job, i love my job, and love the customers that appreciate my hard work, customers like this are fortunately rare in London, but when you meet them you really feel for their previous cleaner. Honestly do you really think someone who refuses to clean someone's filthy floor barefooted is being difficult!

[dudsville]

From the other perspective, for some reason whenever anyone comes in to my house they instantly go to remove their shoes. I try to reassure that it's not necessary but sometimes people do anyway!

[FrikkaDilla]

OP, I think you'd be better finding a different job as you sound too difficult to deal with. In any case if you find it "too difficult to bend down" then I doubt that you're going to be that good a cleaner.

[DoctorTwo]

I would wear covers if asked ApolalypseSlough, I just wouldn't take my safety shoes off without a guarantee of cover.

[Ldnmum2015]

And actually, this has been the second time this was asked of me out of 4 year's of cleaning, while I have always been flexible with the carpets the wetroom was a new one on me, but as most people seem to think their cleaner is ok carrying around indoor shoes etc, I think I am better off just avoiding the customers that expect me too lol

[Ldnmum2015]

I find it really uncomfortable being asked this when visiting people, its like having a rule inflicted on you which you are expected to abide by because someone thinks their carpets are more important than their guests comfort, I find it difficult to bend down, having to unto laces, might have odd socks on or holes in them, I feel exposed and unable to make a quick exit. Of course when I am at home I take my shoes off, but visitors/guests can do what they like, I am not going to ask delivery and workmen to take their shoes off, am usually simply grateful they have delivered the item or carried out the repair.

[GreenMarkerPen]

yanbu and yabu
our last cleaner took croc style shoes.
she wouldn't use shoe covers as unsafe on some surfaces and stairs.

[Hockeydude]

Crocs are light and lots of people wear them as indoor shoes. This is surely the solution.
I have a shoes off house and don't ask people who are here for professional purposes to take their shoes off but actually the majority of them do it automatically. Gas man, midwife, health visitor etc.

Even just going about personally, I take indoor shoes. I have a friend whose house is filthy and is having building work done. She still absolutely insists people take shoes off so indoor shoes is the only solution. Pita to take them for kids as well but I do.

[Ilovewillow]

I was asked to remove my shoes some yrs ago when I was a Financial Advisor, they had a new carpet! Didn't bother me but I obviously wasn't wearing them for safety! Our cleaning always changes her shoes into an indoor pair when she come even though we haven't asked her to. I think an indoor pair would be worth it for your customers and for your safety!

[redhat]

I think its reasonable to expect you to have either plastic covers or slippers/indoor shoes. You are cleaning someones house. Lots of people don't allow shoes in the house and I would have thought that you would anticipate this.

I would be annoyed if my cleaner wore her outdoor shoes on the carpets (she doesn't, she brings slippers).

[Ldnmum2015]

Whoops sorry should say wouldn't not want

[Ldnmum2015]

while I am happy to carry plastic disposable covers, I draw the line at carrying clogs, which would add to the weight and bulk of what I am already carrying, such as cleaning products etc,

[Ldnmum2015]

Badbadbunny, I answered your response to your comment that you think it strange that a cleaner would want to clean a customers filthy floor in their bare feet, do you not see that the cleaner should be treated a bit more respectfully, than have to expose their feet to all sorts I nasties, while no provision is made to clean and dry their feet after, I had other bookings after, and didn't want to travel and clean another house in wet feet festering in closed shoes, not as hard as doctor, but I won't work for anyone who has more concern for their floor (even though it is cleaned and sanitised as I leave the room) than me, the fact is her old cleaner was a person prob desperate for cash and never challenged her, hence why she thought it was acceptable.

[EarSlaps]

Our cleaners always bring their own plastic clog style shoes for indoors. They carry them along with all their other cleaning bits.

[EarSlaps]

Our cleaners always bring their own plastic clog style shoes for indoors. They carry them along with all their other cleaning bits.

[Badbadbunny]

When we had a couple of new sofas delivered, the two blokes had their plastic shoe covers in their hands ready to put on - we didn't even need to ask them - it was automatic.

Same with a salesman who came to give us a quote for a new boiler and some radiators - shoe covers in his hand ready.

We have some shoe covers in the front porch, but find that most people are either happy to take off their shoes or put on shoe covers.

If you're going into someone else's house, you have to respect their property. Removing shoes isn't the only option!

[ApocalypseSlough]

Do you wear covers though Doctor an Argos deliverer refused to remove or cover his shoes when delivering a mattress and left muddy scuffs all the way up a new stair carpet. I was livid.

[DoctorTwo]

I deliver stuff, some of it heavy, and when asked to take my safety shoes off I ask if they'd put in writing that they agree to pay my medical fees should I drop owt on my toes. If not it gets left outside their front door. In a my livelihood Vs their carpets my livelihood wins every fucking time. And no-one has ever agreed to pay if I got injured yet.

[Ldnmum2015]

Also badbunny there was a cat litter tray in the bathroom, with litter scattered around the floor, I could of caught all sorts of nasties in wet socks or bare footed eeeeerrk

[Ldnmum2015]

I totally respect the shoe rule with the carpets, i have offered to one or two in the past, and have a lovely lady who brought me slippers. I am lucky as I am self employed I can simply dump customers but it is annoying as i am very busy, and slotted her in around my schedule, i really feel for her previous cleaner