Can employer make us wear their own safety shoes?

Legacy_user

I work in retail and wear non slip shoes supplied by my employer. Not everyone wears them - but if you are moving, lifting and carrying heavy stuff - you do. Me and my colleagues find them the most uncomfortable things ever. One of them did ask could they wear their own non slip shoes. The HR dept and head office said no. Some of us think the uncomfortableness is causing problems in our legs and backs. I have a painful shin - the bone and had it X-rayed today. Find it difficult and painful to be on feet all day.

What also may contribute to the ailments is our floor is hard tiles. The other shops in the area are (i know its not this) lino style which is kinder to the feet , legs and back. The shop is almost 40 years old. If it does need changing, the shop will have to close for a few days. I doubt it will happen as the shop is under going a mini refit and kept open.

Is there anything we can do?

Undervalued

Yes they can insist you wear the safety equipment they provide but, having said that, it does need to bit fit for purpose and not cause other health issues.

If somebody slipped and injured themselves whilst wearing their own inadequate footware the employer could be liable.

theoretica

Can you fit extra insoles into your safety shoes? Thay can do a lot to counteract hard floors. My safety shoes were a bit big anyway so insoles were an improvement.

iammumtoone

If you are prepared to pay out for a pair of your own shoes spend the money on a decent set of insoles instead, this will probably be more of a help than a new pair of average priced shoes.

Can/do you take your shoes home? Just asking as a lot of staff at our workplace buy their own insoles but there have been instances of them being stolen when the shoes have been left (in some cases people have spend £20 on insoles)

Some staff are entitled to a pair of company purchased insoles but they have to have a medical with the staff nurse and a doctors note explaining the need to qualify. Most of the workers just choose to purchase their own for comfort.

ohreally

ScarletMarble wrote: »

I work in retail and wear non slip shoes supplied by my employer.

What have the customers to wear if the environment means its necessary for the staff to be wearing non slip, ok perhaps flippant but I doubt the foot wear is required, perhaps more management imposing their will.

Does management view the footwear as PPE?

Have concerns been on the agenda for team meetings?

If the supplied footwear is not suitable you need to collectively pursue the matter with management, escalating beyond store level if necessary.

Takeaway_Addict

ScarletMarble wrote: »

I work in retail and wear non slip shoes supplied by my employer. Not everyone wears them - but if you are moving, lifting and carrying heavy stuff - you do. Me and my colleagues find them the most uncomfortable things ever. One of them did ask could they wear their own non slip shoes. The HR dept and head office said no. Some of us think the uncomfortableness is causing problems in our legs and backs. I have a painful shin - the bone and had it X-rayed today. Find it difficult and painful to be on feet all day.

What also may contribute to the ailments is our floor is hard tiles. The other shops in the area are (i know its not this) lino style which is kinder to the feet , legs and back. The shop is almost 40 years old. If it does need changing, the shop will have to close for a few days. I doubt it will happen as the shop is under going a mini refit and kept open.

Is there anything we can do?

The problem with wearing your own shoes is that if it is a large company which I think yours is from memory is that the employer is still responsible for those shoes being adequate. If everyone wanted to wear their own it would be ridiculous hassle!

getmore4less

check if the supplier of the shoes has alternatives.

dickydonkin

I used to have this issue on a regular basis and with the will of the employer, it is so easily resolved.

Everyone's feet are different so providing only one type of footwear is invariably going to cause problems for some.

The employer is required by law to provide safety footwear where it is deemed as necessary - ideally a risk assessment would determine the level of protection required, however, as with so many employers, they will provide the cheapest option available - usually to the detriment of the wearer, and in many instances, will not protect from the inherent risks of a particular workplace.

In my experience, PPE suppliers will provide samples of footwear for workers to trial and finding the right boot for the individual will not only create a happy worker, but will ensure conformance of the requirement to wear the footwear.

If the employer is adamant that they will not be flexible on offering alternative protection, then perhaps a compromise may be available such as contributing towards a type of shoe that is acceptable to the user.

If the employer is concerned about the type an individual may choose, inform him that you will purchase footwear with the same EN standard as those supplied by the employer.

https://www.shponline.co.uk/safety-footwear-the-standards-and-ratings-explained/

Not ideal, but this is a frequent occurrence and I can understand from the employers perspective that some control is necessary on what footwear their staff are wearing, however, with a sensible employer, this can easily be resolved, albeit not ideal, but is surely better than working all day feeling uncomfortable.

Regarding the flooring, if you are working in one particular area for a prolonged period, ask your employer about anti-fatigue mats as these really do help with regards to static pressure placed on legs and the lower back.

Hope this helps.

agrinnall

CarmelaHansen wrote: »

Does your partner also supply :spam:?

Les79

CarmelaHansen wrote: »

If you and the other employees don't feel comfortable using those boots, then they aren't fit to use in the workplace. Why don't you try speaking to your immediate head or someone from the HR department again? Recommend other safety boots or suppliers of such items. Believe me, sometimes they're just looking for other options to consider. I run a construction firm, and when we needed footwear, one of my employees suggested this company that sells cheap safety boots London. Eventually, they have become our partner supplier of workwear. Maybe your company can try to do the same?

Good advice... Aside from the fact that it is 10 months late!!!