What is the big deal about flip flops in the office?

We can wear strappy sandals that show pretty much the entire foot, we can wear thong-style shoes as long as they have a heel. Not to mention that the tradition "flip flop" has evolved into something that some stores sell for upwards of $80... so why are they still not allowed in offices??

What is the big deal about flip flops in the office?
Before I answer, I want to comment on another responder's answer.





Being a business owner, I know for a fact that my insurance rates do not go up or down depending on what shoes are worn in my store. Unless you are housing hazardous waste, construction, or something where your feet are at a SERIOUS risk, your feet are no different than your hands. I go into my store barefoot if I choose to, and allow my employees to do the same if they choose.





I always wondered myself what it is about toes that people have controversy over. Everyone has them. You can wear a sandal with one thin strap over your foot, and kick them off at your desk, and that's fine. Have a strap between your two toes, and the sandal is flat, all of a sudden you are a disrespectable employee?





As our generation ages, rules will change, our generation will allow bare feet - yet will have another area of our body that will have to be covered.
Reply:Foam-y flip flops simply don't look professional - they're technically beachwear.
Reply:Flip flops are noisy when you walk, clack clack. They tend to look dirty due to all the wear they take as opposed to heels. Plus, I think women look sloppy in those, unless it's the right occasion.





Try crocs, you could get away with that.
Reply:how about a bathing suit; robe and slippers; pj's?
Reply:If I were your boss, you would get to wear flip flops and a thong.
Reply:In some offices, they are, but there are other considerations:





-Employee safety. Most manufacturing or warehouse operations don't allow open-toed footwear in the workplace at all.


-Aesthetics. Feet are not generally the loveliest part of the human body. The cute gal with a pink pedicure may look fine in flip-flops, but how do you tell the old guy with dirty yellow toenails that he can't wear them, too?


-Attitude. It's proven that how people dress affects the way they act. Dressing for business conveys a message to coworkers and customers that you are a professional who is there to do a job. Wearing flip-flops, tank tops, shorts, etc., send the message that you'd rather be at the beach, unless you work in a surf shop.


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Reply:$80 or not, they are still shower shoes
Reply:Because feet and toes are nasty, I dont think any kind of sandal or open toed shoe is appropriate for the office. I am sick of seeing all these women with their bare nasty feet for all the world to see, makes me wanna puke. For foot fetish people I am sure they love sandal season, but for most normal people, feet are disgusting.
Reply:Think of it this way. If you would wear it to the pool, or beach, do not wear it to the office. Even the really nice flip flops, still have the same structure as beach sandals. I would NEVER wear strappy sandals to the beach (or the office for that matter, far too casual still) and I would NEVER wear flip flops to the office.





No one should see your feet at work. Gross.
Reply:They are for the office...they aren't professional and no one wants to see another person's toes while they are working in there office...You have to think about the setting you work in....What would you think If you boss wore them with a suit.....That wouldn't look very professional....We don't wear them because they could possibly get hurt with all the moving and running around people do here....Think about others...
Reply:I think the rules in your office are stupid. It should be either all or nothing - sandals or no sandals. I agree with reasons others have stated - that flip flops can be unsafe, that feet aren't aesthetically pleasing, but agree with you that there seems to be a bit of a double standard for different sandal types.
Reply:Alot has to do with the individual dress code of a company. At my company No one can wear backless shoes. Part of the reason is a lot of insurances will raise the rates of a company due tothe fact that companies who do allow these shoes have more ankle injury reports. The other is it has to do with image. When visitors are brought in most companies want a professianl appearence. Sorry but nasty dried up scaly heals showing all over the place does not sound that good to me. So it's really not about the price its about the image.



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