banned from going barefoot at work

CalumHeath

Southend1 wrote: »

I was wondering what on earth would motivate someone to behave in such a silly way, but clearly you're above justifying yourself to anonymous contributors on public forums as well as to your employees.

In short, you're absolutely spot on.

Southend1

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Why do you make this terrible assumption based on one comment, I expected better from your Southend tbh.

I think the worst quality any leader/manager could have is to feel that she does not need to justify her decisions.

A competent leader should be comfortable justifying any decision even if others disagree with her. Allowing others to express their opinion and make suggestions is a great way of validating and improving decision making.

I have never understood the "I'm the boss so I am always right" mentality. It's a very ineffective way to run any organisation.


ETA: In my experience this kind of attitude among management also fosters the perfect climate for fraudulent activity!

Savvy_Sue

CalumHeath wrote: »

Having said that, if I introduced a rule that said that wasn't allowed, I'd expect that rule to be followed without having to justify my decision to anyone.

Calum didn't say s/he would NOT justify such a rule if asked, just that s/he would expect such a rule to be followed without HAVING to justify it.

I think there's a difference.

If Calum instituted a rule I disagreed with, and so did Fred and George and Joe and Mary, and we each went individually to Calum saying "I don't like this, why can't I ..." Calum might get fed up with explaining or justifying the decision. Calum is the boss, and if s/he wants everyone in pink sunhats, just because, that's the rule. Live with it or do the other thing.

If, on the other hand, I went WITH Fred and George and Joe and Mary and said "This new rule, we're finding the pink sunhats blow off into the Wotsit machine, so we get more breakdowns ... would you reconsider?" then I'd hope Calum would either reconsider the pink sunhats, or explain why they have to be pink sunhats.

Takeaway_Addict

Southend1 wrote: »

I think the worst quality any leader/manager could have is to feel that she does not need to justify her decisions.

A competent leader should be comfortable justifying any decision even if others disagree with her. Allowing others to express their opinion and make suggestions is a great way of validating and improving decision making.

I have never understood the "I'm the boss so I am always right" mentality. It's a very ineffective way to run any organisation.


ETA: In my experience this kind of attitude among management also fosters the perfect climate for fraudulent activity!

On paper yes, everything should be justified but in practicality it doesn't work like that, not one boss justifies everything they do to the staff and if they say they do...they're lying.

Sometimes the lesser evil is to not justify it.

Southend1

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

On paper yes, everything should be justified but in practicality it doesn't work like that, not one boss justifies everything they do to the staff and if they say they do...they're lying.

Sometimes the lesser evil is to not justify it.

Agreed, but it's rare for someone to ask their boss to justify a decision without good reason. In OP's case there is a very good reason. A high handed attitude to an issue like this will only alienate employees and that's not a recipe for business success.

Southend1

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Calum didn't say s/he would NOT justify such a rule if asked, just that s/he would expect such a rule to be followed without HAVING to justify it.

I think there's a difference.

If Calum instituted a rule I disagreed with, and so did Fred and George and Joe and Mary, and we each went individually to Calum saying "I don't like this, why can't I ..." Calum might get fed up with explaining or justifying the decision. Calum is the boss, and if s/he wants everyone in pink sunhats, just because, that's the rule. Live with it or do the other thing.

If, on the other hand, I went WITH Fred and George and Joe and Mary and said "This new rule, we're finding the pink sunhats blow off into the Wotsit machine, so we get more breakdowns ... would you reconsider?" then I'd hope Calum would either reconsider the pink sunhats, or explain why they have to be pink sunhats.

Thanks Sue for pointing out a slightly different way of interpreting Calum's post. However in this case it is unlikely that many individuals would challenge the policy. OP has good reason to do so.

Also although only he can confirm it, I think that Calum's reply to my post (although I admit I was being blunt) shows that he isn't the type to justify this kind of decision if asked to do so. Nothing personal intended but I really do think this is bad management and coukd even end in a tribunal if an employer takes this kind of stance when the employee may have grounds for reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act.

Bufger

Nicki wrote: »

I'm amazed at how many people think that taking their shoes off at work is OK!

I sometimes walk to work in flats and change into heels, and if so I make sure I do this in the ladies loo. I wouldn't dream of taking my shoes off in the office any more than i would come into work in a onesie or a bikini top and shorts in hot weather.

You either have hobbit feet or associate them with sensual acts. They're just feet - like hands, but lower down.

Nicki

Bufger wrote: »

You either have hobbit feet or associate them with sensual acts. They're just feet - like hands, but lower down.

I have lovely feet thanks . Have no issues at all getting them out on a beach, or in a spa or swimming pool. But an office, nope not appropriate. And even less so if it's because they are excessively sweaty as in the OP!

Southend1

Nicki wrote: »

I have lovely feet thanks . Have no issues at all getting them out on a beach, or in a spa or swimming pool. But an office, nope not appropriate. And even less so if it's because they are excessively sweaty as in the OP!

Just because OPs feet are sweaty doesn't mean they smell bad! As mentioned, she suffers from a thyroid problem which causes excessive sweating. In this case it may be entirely appropriate for her to remove her shoes or wear flip flops as long as it isn't putting her or her colleagues health and safety at risk. She should seek advice (e.g, from her union) as to whether this condition may be considered a disability for equality act purposes and if so, seek to agree reasonable adjustments with her employer.

dori2o

The issue people have with bare feet potentially ‘damaging‘ an office carpet has made me chuckle.

I assume that this is the same carpet that carries the useage of everyone soiled shoes/trainers etc?

The sole of a shoe, even one that looks clean, carried many many more forms of bacteria than a pare foot does, even if it is sweaty.

How many people have accidentaly stood in something and wiped it off, given the shoes a quick rinse and still worn them in the office?

If this is a long term medical condition then the employer has a duty to make reasonable adjustments to their workplace, this includes any dress codes/rules on footwear.

Going barefoot whilst sat at a desk, or being allowed to use flip flops/sandals, slippers, crocks etc would be considered a reasonable adjustment in the majority of cases.

OP if this is a long term condition which the employer is aware of then you need to remind them of their obligations to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.