boots (not the chemist)

[Deleted User]

My employer provides (very very cheap) workplace safety boots which I have found unwearable to the extent that they have actually caused blisters and painful cuts to my ankles and feet. As a result of this, I stopped wearing the issued boots and have bought my own expensive pair for a few years now.

No problem with this until recently when the company started insisting that the boots provided must be worn by all employees.

I'm loathe to comply with this because the company boots are so uncomfortable and take an age to "wear in" and also that they last only a few months. I'm also annoyed that I've forked out for my own boots which I clearly won't be wearing anywhere else.
I've broached this with my line manager, but the response is that there can be no exceptions, even though my own boots have a far superior build quality and more than conform to the safety standards required.

Anyone any thoughts on this? Or have I wasted my money?

sangie595

Unless there is a clear medical reason why you can't comply, then this falls under the heading of "reasonable instruction" - you could be suspended and dismissed for refusing to obey. You would probably need an advisory from a doctor - and preferably a podiatrist - to support any such claim. It is possible that it may actually be the case - cheaper shoes and boots are less flexible for people who aren't "average" in regards to footwear, and that may be contributing to your issues with the boots. But it would probably cost you at least the price of a medical letter. And if there is an issue, obviously potential other costs.

If you want to check this out, in most areas it is quicker to see a podiatrist privately - waiting lists are impossibly long.

[Deleted User]

sangie595 wrote: »

Unless there is a clear medical reason why you can't comply, then this falls under the heading of "reasonable instruction" - you could be suspended and dismissed for refusing to obey.

Well, I haven't actually refused to wear the boots, just expressed my displeasure!

I have a month in which to cease wearing my own footwear.

As I said, I'm just loathe to comply because I bought my own very comfortable pair which are eminently suitable for foot protection and because of my bad experience with the cheap tat which the company provides.

I doubt I'll be paying any medical professionals and I suppose my own boots go into a cupboard at home...

TELLIT01

I think all you can do is wear the boots provided and then complain again if you can prove they are damaging your feet.

bugslet

Complain again after a bit!

We provide uniform here, but gave up issuing footwear as everyone has their own preference and now just have an footwear allowance of x amount that we will pay.

sangie595

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

I doubt I'll be paying any medical professionals and I suppose my own boots go into a cupboard at home...

Of course, the problem is that you may end up here anyway if the boots are as bad as you say! Think about it - podiatry appointments privately are not as expensive as you would think. Or a GP letter is about £10 - £20 depending on the surgery - and the appointment is free so if they won't write the letter (or can't because they don't have the medical expertise) it hasn't cost you anything. It's just a personal opinion, but feet are very important things, and when they go wrong it has a major impact on quality of life. So I'd say foot comfort and protection from better quality footwear was worth the cost.

karcher

As long as the new boots conform to the required safety standards I can not understand why this employer, or any other, would object to them? It seems ridiculous to me. Cheap standard issue safety boots are incredibly uncomfortable especially when worn for 8 hours a day. I really don't understand why the employer is insisting on them?

sangie595

karcher wrote: »

As long as the new boots conform to the required safety standards I can not understand why this employer, or any other, would object to them? It seems ridiculous to me. Cheap standard issue safety boots are incredibly uncomfortable especially when worn for 8 hours a day. I really don't understand why the employer is insisting on them?

I agree. But there may be a great reason too. Not for buying cheap boots, but for the insistence. My best bet is that either something has happened or they have an insurance risk identification. How do they know - for a fact - which personal boots meet the specs? If someone is wearing their own footwear and they say they meet the specs but they don't, the employer could become liable. So the quickest and easiest way is to insist everyone wears the boots they provide. To allow other boots they would need proof of the specs - and a reason for doing it.

dickydonkin

karcher wrote: »

As long as the new boots conform to the required safety standards I can not understand why this employer, or any other, would object to them? It seems ridiculous to me. Cheap standard issue safety boots are incredibly uncomfortable especially when worn for 8 hours a day. I really don't understand why the employer is insisting on them?

I can understand the employer to a degree as they are in control of what type of footwear is required for the hazard the user may encounter, however, in my experience, many employers opt for the cheapest and nastiest footwear available with complete disregard for the wearer.

This of course is folly as uncomfortable PPE could (and does) not encourage the wearing of it and if the quality is poor, it is not cost effective as having to keep replacing worn out footwear can be expensive in the long term.

It is better to get a supplier to provide samples of footwear (or any PPE for that matter) to enable the workers to try on and decide what is best for them. If you inform the supplier of your needs ie non slip/chemical resistant, steel toes etc, they will provide samples free of charge with the hope of getting the contract to supply all of the workwear - well that is what you tell them anyway.

In an ideal world, it would be better to eradicate the hazard so staff do not need to wear PPE in the first instance, however, I fully accept that for many workplaces, this is not an option.

Just to add, no employee should have to pay for their PPE or indeed anything related to health and safety at work.

karcher

sangie595 wrote: »

I agree. But there may be a great reason too. Not for buying cheap boots, but for the insistence. My best bet is that either something has happened or they have an insurance risk identification. How do they know - for a fact - which personal boots meet the specs? If someone is wearing their own footwear and they say they meet the specs but they don't, the employer could become liable. So the quickest and easiest way is to insist everyone wears the boots they provide. To allow other boots they would need proof of the specs - and a reason for doing it.

Yes, I had thought it might be for the reasons you suggest. However, any decent pair of safety boots come with all the correct labelling and markings, but as you say, maybe it's more trouble than it's worth in the employers eyes, checking this.

When I had to wear them for work we were all allowed to choose our own from the Arco Catalogue (within budget/pay the excess) so that ensured they conformed to safety regulations without the need to check. I was obviously more fortunate than the OP.

sangie595

karcher wrote: »

Yes, I had thought it might be for the reasons you suggest. However, any decent pair of safety boots come with all the correct labelling and markings, but as you say, maybe it's more trouble than it's worth in the employers eyes, checking this.

When I had to wear them for work we were all allowed to choose our own from the Arco Catalogue (within budget/pay the excess) so that ensured they conformed to safety regulations without the need to check. I was obviously more fortunate than the OP.

I agree entirely. The issue may be the "now" - when people have the boots but not the original labelling etc to prove it meets requirements. Equally, I guess that a standard issue is easier to visually check for managers.

A very, very long time ago (when I was a student - so ancient history!) I had work where I had to wear specific protective footwear, and the employer did the same thing. There was a stated supplier and a range from which you could either have the standard issue, or top up the cost yourself for a better pair. The employer deducted the top up cost in instalments from wages.

But I guess the OP has to live with whatever the employers rules here are. Although it might be worth asking the question.