banned from going barefoot at work

Takeaway_Addict

dori2o wrote: »

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.

Only if it has a detrimental effect keeping the shoes on, I would be amazed if this is the case for the OP.

dori2o

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Only if it has a detrimental effect keeping the shoes on, I would be amazed if this is the case for the OP.

Only the OP can tell us.

Sweating feet can cause various problems, blisters, sores, athletes foot, these can all have a detrimental effect on the individual in terms of discomfort, pain, walking difficulties.

We needs the OP to explain what would happen if they were forced to keep their shoes on all day without being able to air them.

Savvy_Sue

Southend1 wrote: »

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.

Actually, I can think of very few places where bare feet aren't a health and safety hazard - even in swimming pools where most people have bare feet the staff wear trainers. Staples and pins 'lost' on the floor, the risk of dropping something onto bare feet - even scalding them if the kettle drips!

Now here's a question: if a colleague suffers from a medical condition which can cause excessive sweating and has eczema, which is aggravated by sitting in damp clothes, is it OK for him to work au naturel? He could change his clothes, but that could be necessary several times a day, and the sweats come on without warning - mid meeting, at his desk, wherever.

Obviously, he sits on a towel, which he could use to reduce embarrassment should others feel any (he feels none).

Gingernutty

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Actually, I can think of very few places where bare feet aren't a health and safety hazard - even in swimming pools where most people have bare feet the staff wear trainers. Staples and pins 'lost' on the floor, the risk of dropping something onto bare feet - even scalding them if the kettle drips!

Now here's a question: if a colleague suffers from a medical condition which can cause excessive sweating and has eczema, which is aggravated by sitting in damp clothes, is it OK for him to work au naturel? He could change his clothes, but that could be necessary several times a day, and the sweats come on without warning - mid meeting, at his desk, wherever.

Obviously, he sits on a towel, which he could use to reduce embarrassment should others feel any (he feels none).

Weirdly, that's an issue I have. Hyperhidrosis (head, armpits, groin and feet), eczema and allergic dematitis.

Layers. Cotton layers which can be taken off or put back on again depending on whether the air conditioning is working.

It's important to wear a fabric that doesn't show the sweat. Or else, I look like I've wet myself.....

sniggings

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Actually, I can think of very few places where bare feet aren't a health and safety hazard - even in swimming pools where most people have bare feet the staff wear trainers. Staples and pins 'lost' on the floor, the risk of dropping something onto bare feet - even scalding them if the kettle drips!

Now here's a question: if a colleague suffers from a medical condition which can cause excessive sweating and has eczema, which is aggravated by sitting in damp clothes, is it OK for him to work au naturel? He could change his clothes, but that could be necessary several times a day, and the sweats come on without warning - mid meeting, at his desk, wherever.

Obviously, he sits on a towel, which he could use to reduce embarrassment should others feel any (he feels none).

reasonable adjustment, reasonable being the key word here.

is it reasonable for someone sat at their desk to have dare feet...yep

is it reasonable for someone to e naked/change clothes several times a day...nope.

Southend1

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Actually, I can think of very few places where bare feet aren't a health and safety hazard - even in swimming pools where most people have bare feet the staff wear trainers. Staples and pins 'lost' on the floor, the risk of dropping something onto bare feet - even scalding them if the kettle drips!

Now here's a question: if a colleague suffers from a medical condition which can cause excessive sweating and has eczema, which is aggravated by sitting in damp clothes, is it OK for him to work au naturel? He could change his clothes, but that could be necessary several times a day, and the sweats come on without warning - mid meeting, at his desk, wherever.

Obviously, he sits on a towel, which he could use to reduce embarrassment should others feel any (he feels none).

It comes down to what is reasonable. So OP coukd be allowed to remove shoes while at her desk but not when walking around, or to wear flip flops while in the office but put shoes on when visiting clients. For example.

In your example it would be reasonable not to require the employee to wear a jacket or to allow him to change his clothes regularly however being naked in the office is unlikely to be considered reasonable.

prowla

The Australian office of our company has a sign "No thongs in the office"!

(Thongs are what the locals call flip-flops.)

dickydonkin

sniggings wrote: »

is it reasonable for someone sat at their desk to have dare feet...yep

Is it reasonable for colleagues to have to endure the aroma of cheesy feet all day?........nope!

From a safety perspective, even a relatively low risk environment such as an office could certainly could cause some injury to someone who feels the need not to wear shoes. The main ones have been highlighted, but for those who work in an office,just have a look at the scuffs on the tops and bottoms of the shoes you wear and this is the daily impacts that would not normally be felt - but certainly would without the protective covering of footwear.

For an office that may have visitors, potential customers etc, many may believe that seeing staff working in bare feet may not portray a very good image.

sniggings

dickydonkin wrote: »

Is it reasonable for colleagues to have to endure the aroma of cheesy feet all day?........nope!

if the workplace requires steel toe caps then fair enough, if not and sandal, open top shoes etc are allowed, I can't see why going bare foot when at your desk any reasonable person would consider it unreasonable.

The smell, if there is any, would be lessened with no shoes on.

prowla

I often take my shoes off under my desk.

But if I walked around the office without any on then I'd probably expect to be told about it.