Wearing flip-flops in the office
Summer is here and I think that people shouldn't come to the office wearing flip-flops. It's really disgusting, In my opinion, and I think it doesn't reflect a good image of us. Do you think we should start deciding if we should disallow this? Which of the decision tools do you think will fit best?
Camellia Williams Fri 15 Jun 2018 11:37AM
Let's explore what disgusts you. The sight of bare feet or something else?
If we start dictating what people wear on their feet, does that lead to an office dress code? My perspective is that people can wear whatever they feel comfortable in as long as it doesn't offend co-workers or guests. Vizzuality has never enforced a dress code and in my opinion that is a perk of working here. It should be down to the individual what they wear in the office and use their common sense to decide what is appropriate.
The first decision we need to make is: is this an issue bothering lots of people? Maybe a poll or consensus approach to decided if we should discuss further?
Agnieszka Figiel Fri 15 Jun 2018 12:07PM
If we went with a consent process, what would qualify as a principled objection to wearing flip flops? I struggle with how much weight an opinion must have to be worthy of being considered principled. Examples:
1. I find flip flops offensive on grounds of my religion
2. I find flip flops aesthetically disagreeable because they expose callused feet
3. I find flip flops distracting because they are too relaxed for a working environment
Camellia Williams Fri 15 Jun 2018 1:05PM
Or, 4. the 'slip slap' noise they make as people walk is distracting.
Which then might lead to the banning of hard soled shoes because the 'clip clop' noise is distracting. And then we'll all be policing each other's choice of footwear instead of getting on with our jobs.
I've come to the conclusion I have no idea what decision process to use for this.
But more questions: what's the scope? company wide or Madrid office?
Miguel Mendoza Mon 18 Jun 2018 10:26AM
Thanks for your comments. As there is no any current guideline that could apply to dress code, I'll move forward and open a proposal.
Agnieszka Figiel · Fri 15 Jun 2018 11:11AM
I thought it might be possible to tackle this from the health & safety guidelines standpoint, but unfortunately at least in the UK there's no paragraph for flip flops!