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Footwear at work
boweso
Posts: 5 Forumite
Hi all need some advice...
I currently work as a security guard in a large retail environment and I've been told by a supervisor that I need to wear smart shoes instead of boots at work.
The boots I wear are smart and were rather expensive and the reason I wear them is to support my ankle which I have had problems with since a young age (misalignment of joints)... It's payday tomorrow (Friday) and I've been told I need to make sure I'm wearing shoes when I come into work on Saturday otherwise I could face losing my job. I have tried to explain to my supervisor that I need to wear something that supports my ankle but he isn't interested and I've noticed other supervisors wearing boots.
There is nothing in my contract about wearing shoes instead of boots but I don't want to lose my job especially since I only started 3 months ago, I could go out and buy a pair of shoes but I fear causing myself an injury that could put me out of work for a long period of time and with me still being in my probation period they'd have no problems terminating my contract.
Have tried using my time off to get a doctors appointment to possibly get a note that I could use to prove to work my issues with my ankles but haven't been able to get one and now I'm starting to doubt wether I want to carry on working or not
I currently work as a security guard in a large retail environment and I've been told by a supervisor that I need to wear smart shoes instead of boots at work.
The boots I wear are smart and were rather expensive and the reason I wear them is to support my ankle which I have had problems with since a young age (misalignment of joints)... It's payday tomorrow (Friday) and I've been told I need to make sure I'm wearing shoes when I come into work on Saturday otherwise I could face losing my job. I have tried to explain to my supervisor that I need to wear something that supports my ankle but he isn't interested and I've noticed other supervisors wearing boots.
There is nothing in my contract about wearing shoes instead of boots but I don't want to lose my job especially since I only started 3 months ago, I could go out and buy a pair of shoes but I fear causing myself an injury that could put me out of work for a long period of time and with me still being in my probation period they'd have no problems terminating my contract.
Have tried using my time off to get a doctors appointment to possibly get a note that I could use to prove to work my issues with my ankles but haven't been able to get one and now I'm starting to doubt wether I want to carry on working or not
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Comments
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You are in a difficult situation, not helped by a supervisor who isn't prepared to use common sense in this situation. If you wear shoes will you be able to move at a decent speed if required to deal with problems in the store, or is the ankle so weak that you risk falling? If the latter, and the supervisor remains inflexible, I don't think you will have any option other than to seek other work. I can't imagine that all security companies demand that staff wear shoes rather than boots so I think you will need to look in that direction.0
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Hi all need some advice...
I currently work as a security guard in a large retail environment and I've been told by a supervisor that I need to wear smart shoes instead of boots at work.
The boots I wear are smart and were rather expensive and the reason I wear them is to support my ankle which I have had problems with since a young age (misalignment of joints)... It's payday tomorrow (Friday) and I've been told I need to make sure I'm wearing shoes when I come into work on Saturday otherwise I could face losing my job. I have tried to explain to my supervisor that I need to wear something that supports my ankle but he isn't interested and I've noticed other supervisors wearing boots.
There is nothing in my contract about wearing shoes instead of boots but I don't want to lose my job especially since I only started 3 months ago, I could go out and buy a pair of shoes but I fear causing myself an injury that could put me out of work for a long period of time and with me still being in my probation period they'd have no problems terminating my contract.
Have tried using my time off to get a doctors appointment to possibly get a note that I could use to prove to work my issues with my ankles but haven't been able to get one and now I'm starting to doubt wether I want to carry on working or not
As this is a new job, you have no real protection against being dismissed for not following your employer's instructions.
I presume you are not in a union who could argue your case for you and that you work for another company rather than the supermarket itself.
You might like to politely ask for the risk assessment made by your employer of people wearing inappropriate footwear or the risk of injury from non-supportive footwear should you have to chase or retrain a suspect? I suspect they don't have one, and then, if you injure yourself due to wearing shoes rather than boots, that would strengthen any claim you may wish to make.
The most practical thing you can do would be to find an alternative employer.Originally Posted by shortcrust
"Contact the Ministry of Fairness....If sufficient evidence of unfairness is discovered you’ll get an apology, a permanent contract with backdated benefits, a ‘Let’s Make it Fair!’ tshirt and mug, and those guilty of unfairness will be sent on a Fairness Awareness course."0 -
My advice would be to buy some smart shoes then change in to boots when your supervisor has gone home, presumably in his comfortable boots. Unfortunately you are in the hands of your employer, play by the rules or look for another job.0
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Does your ankle support need to be provided by boots? Could you wear shoes and a brace or strapping instead?But a banker, engaged at enormous expense,Had the whole of their cash in his care.
Lewis Carroll0 -
Shoes and tubigrip.2021 GC £1365.71/ £24000
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See your doctor and get a Fit Note stating that you are fit to work, but with the reasonable adjustment that you be allowed to wear boots instead of shoes.0
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Since it's a 'large retail environment' and presumably therefore a large company, surely there exists a documented policy that dictates what you can/ can't wear - as opposed to it being dictated by a supervisor?0
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Since it's a 'large retail environment' and presumably therefore a large company, surely there exists a documented policy that dictates what you can/ can't wear - as opposed to it being dictated by a supervisor?
Working "in" a large retail environment isn't the same as working "for", I suspect the employer is a third party, perhaps agency.Don’t be a can’t, be a can.0 -
I am meant to wear shoes for my security job, but I get away with these Reebok Work N Cushion, they are extremely comfortable and practical:
https://www.reebok.co.uk/work-n-cushion-3.0/BS9524.html
You could pair them with some type of ankle support or support bandage under your socks. A quick search for ankle support online should return multiple results, hopefully you will find something suitable.0
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