topic Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes? in Fashion

O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

ECBG — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 03:31:47 GMT

Retired from teaching, I now work in a large clothing department store. Apparently, they have handed down a new directive in dressing. I can understand telling the 20's in Juniors that some of their choices are a little perhaps...rough. Should those of us who dress fashionably be unable to wear styles with peep toes or sandles by major designers? We DO choose something that is comfortable. I'm asking for your style opinions. Thanks!

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

Murron — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 03:37:58 GMT

I believe it has to do with insurance. If something falls on your foot. I know that was a policy when I worked retail.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

MopsyGirl — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 03:40:26 GMT

I agree - I think it has to do with safety. Each company has the right to say what their particular dress code is, whether we like it or not.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

VaBelle35 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 03:40:35 GMT

There 's no way to draw the line between peep toe and gladiator. Closed toe is easy to police and enforce.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

Cyndog — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 03:43:49 GMT

I would think peep toes or a not very bare sandal would be appropriate, not a very strappy sandal, but like the above poster says I've heard of that policy for years at different businesses.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

sgraham30 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 03:46:19 GMT

When my daughter worked at Kohls a few years ago, she had to wear closed toe shoes, sandals were not allowed for safety reasons.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

Nonametoday — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 03:46:43 GMT

I always assumed company policy was just that and applied equally, as indicated.

Management has made that decision at a higher pay grade for whatever the reason. I suppose if it bothers you, you could inquire of HR whose duty it is to discuss policy.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

kate2357 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 03:51:36 GMT

Style wise I would agree that peep toe shoes and some sandals can be appropriate for retail employees.

The problem though for management is how do they set an objective policy that applies to everyone...not just employees with poor style choices? Also...is the policy just about 'looks' or could it also be about safety? (as in stuff falling on your feet/toes). I'm also thinking open toe w/o stockings and a poor manicure....yikes! I personally don't want to see those toes when I shop.

I worked in retail many years ago when I was in graduate school. I could not believe the ridiculous dress policy they set for all of us to wear. So I do feel your pain in following what some times seems like a poorly crafted dress policy. It always seems to me rules are made because of the people who don't have common sense...and those of us who do have common sense get stuck w/ stupid rules.

I also abhor anyone telling me I have to wear something. A couple times a year I have to participate in golf outing w/ clients. My company buys these lame poly golf shirts w/ our company name on the shirts. :::sigh::: And since I'm the only woman, they buy one shirt for me that is always the wrong size. I've insisted many times to just order me a medium in the men's style. But they always order me a small women's shirt w/ these stupid too tight short sleeves. So it's usually too tight across the bust and my arm wings look like they're ready for take off.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

stevieb — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 03:54:33 GMT

If it's just a question of appropriateness then I don't see the problem, but if it's an issue of safety and/or standardization then it's their call and I can see where a simplified policy would make sense and enhance safety.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

wilma — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 03:57:09 GMT

On 1/5/2014 MopsyGirl said:
I agree - I think it has to do with safety. Each company has the right to say what their particular dress code is, whether we like it or not.

Exactly. We have been told that if we wear shoes that aren't closed, and we have a foot injury at work, medical treatment will NOT be covered by insurance.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

grandma r — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 04:03:16 GMT

Years ago it was regulated by OSHA. For safety reasons only closed toe shoes were allowed. Hose were also required. I doubt much has changed in the way of safety.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

ECBG — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 04:05:07 GMT

On 1/5/2014 Murron said:
I believe it has to do with insurance. If something falls on your foot. I know that was a policy when I worked retail.

No, nothing to do with ins. I think it has to do with well kept pedicures!

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

jclark73 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 04:13:31 GMT

This is a common policy in a lot of work environments, and it has to do with safety. Why would you think it has to do with pedicures?

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

wildcat fan — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 04:24:37 GMT

Peep toes and sandals are fashionable and I would think expected in a department store that sells clothing. If there's an issue with a few people, the should address that individually instead of coming up with blanket policies. Will they enforce the new policy? We have a dress code at work, but many of the young females ignore it and no one ever does anything about it.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

Writertoo — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 04:28:35 GMT

I work in retail in two different stores. Each store has their own dress policy, but they both allow peep-toe shoes. One even goes so far as to say, if you do wear peep-toe shoes, you have to have a pedicure! I think it has to do with appearance more than it does with insurance.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

kate2357 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 04:28:48 GMT

On 1/5/2014 Portia said:
This is a common policy in a lot of work environments, and it has to do with safety. Why would you think it has to do with pedicures?

Well I could see how it could be both. But if this is a recent policy...I do see how it could relate to pedicures. Some people do not care for their feet and have chipped neon polish or no polish and dirty toe nails. NO ONE wants to see that.

I'm guessing, based on what the OP wrote, that some higher up in the stores got an eyeful of unpleasant looking feet and decided to have a closed shoe policy. But no way is HR going to say it's about dirty toes....easier to say it's about safety.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

GCR18 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 04:31:51 GMT

I think they should wear closed toe shoes. It would be hard to manage that you can wear this style, but not that style. Then someone has to enforce it. Where I work people get creative with the rules and look for loop holes.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

lovesrecess — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 04:35:34 GMT

the old rules about closed-toed shoes for safety originated in factories; steel-toed boots were and still are required in many companies and are still OSHA standards for many....as far as a retail store, there is no safety issue I am aware of that would necessitate closed-toed shoes......but I do know that open-toed shoes are considered informal....so maybe they feel closed-toed shoes such as pumps simply look more professional.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

kristan — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 05:45:14 GMT

When I worked retail we had to wear closed toe for insurance reasons.

Re: O/T Should sales people indepartment stores be only able to wear closed toe shoes?

adelle38 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 05:50:01 GMT

It doesn't matter what we think about style. If it's your company's policy you need to abide by it.