Flip Flops Damaging to Careers
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 07/13/2007 at 1:45 PM
Like many people my age, I love wearing flip flops. I have half a dozen different kinds. But as someone who works at an establishment with a dress code, I am not allowed to wear them at work. And according to Reuters, flip flop addiction may be having an adverse affect on young women's careers.
Style gurus warn that flip-flops, which are worn mainly by younger women, could be harmful to a career.
"Shoes convey the mood of a woman. Wearing flip-flops conveys the mood that you are relaxed and on vacation. That's not a good message in the office," said Meghan Cleary, a style commentator who wrote the book "The Perfect Fit: What Your Shoes Say About You."
Not only may flip flops be considered an unprofessional form of workplace footwear, they also carry a more serious risk.
Physicians at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons say flip-flops are linked to a growing number of heel problems among teens and young adults.
"We're seeing more heel pain than ever in patients 15 to 25 years old, a group that usually doesn't have this problem," said spokeswoman Marybeth Crane in a recent statement.
She said flip-flops with thin soles have no arch support and can accentuate any abnormal biomechanics in foot motion which eventually brings pain and inflammation.
So as much as we love them, it may be prudent to save the wearing of flip flops for the beach.
1. Laur said the following at 1:53 PM on Jul 13:
shoot... well, at least i'm not looking for a job any time soon which requires "appropriate footwear"...
go college ministry!
2. Abby said the following at 2:37 PM on Jul 13:
That's news to me - at least about the heel problems. I love my flip flops because my doctor told me no more high heels after my foot surgery...Maybe I'll invent a hybrid
3. Laura_MH said the following at 2:59 PM on Jul 13:
I LOVE flip-flops and look forward to summer...cute flip-flops and a nice pedi are a good combination in warm weather.
I work for a Big 4 accounting firm in a hot-climate city, and while my office doesn't require "formal" businesswear, there are definite guidelines for shoes. Flip-flops are a complete no-no. We also can't wear mules, or any shoes that don't have a strap around the heel.
The females did, however, get HR to allow peep-toe slingbacks and pumps....although shoes that are more sandal-like (i.e., strappy) are still prohibited.
The rule change for peep-toes, however, was a HUGE victory for us!
4. nikki said the following at 3:42 PM on Jul 13:
There are other problems with them too. The lack of support around the sides of the foot can lead to cracking and "spreading" on the heel, and with me that's a problem already, and I can hardly walk after a few days of "backless" shoes. So I try to switch it up when I can (I wear flip flops around the house and sometimes while running errands, or by the pool). Also it's really easy to catch foot fungus and other gross stuff when your feet are basically bare.
I think flip flops get a bad rap, because there are plenty of office-inappropriate things people wear. To me, flip-flops at work scream "I keep forgetting I'm not a tousled college student anymore" and are unprofessional. But that goes with plenty of things like t-shirts and the ever present hoodie that people seem to think is OK everywhere. People should just dress appropriate to the environment.
5. Brian said the following at 4:51 PM on Jul 13:
My feet are forever screwed up (officially it's called plantar fasciitis) from wearing flip-flops non-stop during my first few years of college. I'd encourage those of you who have to wear sandals to try out the birkenstock-style sandals that support your feet well!
...do people really wear those to work?!
6. Blair said the following at 5:01 PM on Jul 13:
I'm a Californian, by law we must own atleast one pair of flip flops. I do agree though that they are bad for feet. Laura_MH- congrats on the peep toes!
7. lizzy said the following at 5:51 PM on Jul 13:
Yes Brian, people really do where flip-flops to work. I used to work for a newspaper in South Carolina that banned flip-flop wear, but on moving to Florida I noticed a lot of people at work and even elsewhere dress like they are on vacation. It's just the style here. And everyday one of my editors comes in wearing flip-flops.
I have a pair that I wear to work on occassion, but they are pretty dressy, so it's not like wearing beach flip-flops.
8. BDB said the following at 6:38 PM on Jul 13:
Laura_MH wrote:
>>The females did, however, get HR to allow peep-toe slingbacks and pumps....although shoes that are more sandal-like (i.e., strappy) are still prohibited.<<
We had a similar rebellion. Suddenly open-toe shoes were acceptable; for years it was a "safety hazard." So, I at first wasn't going to get involved and wait and see if someone dropped something heavy on their foot, which hasn't happened since the policy change.
The thing is, in our industry, the "standard" footwear is steel-toed boots. Some of our long-time office employees got quite comfortable matching the "field" uniform of polo shirt/dockers/boots. I knew that our outside sales women would keep heels in their car and change AFTER they left the building, but at least we didn't need to have the safety discussion.
For some reason, the "look at our toes!" women went after the "boot" women and actually got the policy changed so that women in the office couldn't wear work boots. I still don't understand why these groups can't leave each other alone. But it really wasn't pleasant to end up needing to understand women's footwear.
Luckily HR has high turnover, so both groups can co-exist now under the new HR manager.
9. J said the following at 11:21 PM on Jul 13:
I like Birkenstocks for comfort -- they were recommended to me years ago by a physiotherapist -- but I've worked at a couple of places where it was written into the staff handbook that Birkenstocks were not allowed.
10. Jen said the following at 7:11 AM on Jul 14:
After going shoe-shopping yesterday, I have to say that flipflops are the least of our worries when talking about women's shoes causing foot problems... I couldn't find any flats at all that had arch support. At least most flipflops will mold to your foot after a few days' wear!
On the other hand, I would never EVER wear flipflops to a job interview. I DO wear flipflops at my current office, but that's because my boss wears flipflops, shorts, and polo shirts - on good days.
11. Brendt said the following at 1:30 PM on Jul 14:
Wearing flip-flops conveys the mood that you are relaxed...
And everyone knows that true professionalism should always convey the mood that you're so stressed that the slightest thing will make you shoot all your co-workers and then turn the gun on yourself. That's what makes for the most efficient and productive workplace.
Honestly, if there's a dumber animal than the executis business, I can't imagine what it'd be. ;-)
12. BDB said the following at 2:47 PM on Jul 14:
Brendt wrote:
>>And everyone knows that true professionalism should always convey the mood that you're so stressed<<
We call that "sense of urgency" and yes, it's on everyone's annual review...and affects their raise...
13. Suzanne said the following at 3:33 PM on Jul 14:
Brendt,
:) That's the stuff of stand-up comedy. Well done!
14. Heather B. said the following at 3:53 PM on Jul 14:
On the subject of professional dress, I wish someone would address the subject of showing cleavage at work (or anywhere else for that matter).
15. Thinkpad said the following at 5:34 PM on Jul 14:
Jen, try an arch-support insole -- they're good for providing support in shoes that lack it.
As for this -- "Shoes convey the mood of a woman" -- whadda buncha baloney. My shoes don't magically change to reflect my thoughts or feelings -- they look the same at all times. (Does anybody think before they write or repeat this stuff?)
Flip flops at the office (and I've seen a whole lot more males wear them than women) convey one thing about the wearer: "I've got such poor judgement that I think it's appropriate to wear beach attire in a professional workplace."
16. BDB said the following at 10:28 PM on Jul 14:
Heather B. wrote:
>>On the subject of professional dress, I wish someone would address the subject of showing cleavage at work (or anywhere else for that matter).<<
See the "Cover Up Please" earlier in July.
(I don't know how to do an HTML link. I'm too old.)
17. DannieA said the following at 12:44 AM on Jul 15:
Professionalism varies in the type of environment one is working in. For me, it would be a safety hazard as I"m a speech therapist and work with autistic kids in CA and crawl around under tables and on the floor. I've been stepped on and kicked, so wearing flip-flops or even sandals that show my toes, probably not the safest thing in the world for me...even though jeans or khakis would be appropriate since i'm on the ground and near kids.
Also for other work...flip-flops are different then sandals or fancy flip-flops....so I hope this is talking about regular beach wear flip-flops and I totally believe that those are not appropriate.
18. k. said the following at 9:07 AM on Jul 15:
If you work in a really technical field, nobody cares what you wear...people routinely people wear shorts, jeans, flip-flops, etc where I work. (In fact, I wore flip-flops on Friday...cute ones!) But in general I think it's good to show up at work looking like you didn't get lost on your way to the beach.
19. Brendt said the following at 12:35 PM on Jul 15:
BDB, Wow, your company gives raises ?!?! What's that like?
Suzanne, thank you. After 17 years in the asininity called corporate America, it's either mock it or eat the afore-mentioned gun. (Or forfeit your brain and soul and become an executive.)
Thinkpad, to answer your question, no. But then not thinking is to be excused after a lobotomy.
DannieA, that's not professionalism, that's pragmatism. There is a practical reason why you need to be dressed in a certain manner -- it enables you to do your job better and/or more safely. But if professionalism truly varied by environment, then those of us who don't have a physical reason for a certain kind of clothes, and have never met a single customer (face-to-face) in 17 years wouldn't be required to dress a certain way.
To be honest, I'm surprised that I still don't have a dress code even though I work from home now.
20. Lauren said the following at 1:59 PM on Jul 15:
My mom is constantly teasing me about how I wear flip-flops and hooded sweatshirts together. Yes, I'm very comfortable that way, yet people often think that I'm 16, instead of 21.
21. Carolyn said the following at 2:20 PM on Jul 15:
I wear flip flops to work. :) I work in an apartment office, and the atmosphere is generally relaxed and comfortable. My boss doesn't have a problem with it, but I agree that they're not professional. I balance them by dressing up, and I usually only wear them on Fridays. It's my version of casual Fridays! I guarantee if I'm wearing them I'm also wearing a skirt. In December, after I graduate, I'll probably have a real job that forces me to forgo the flip flops. That's actually fine with me. The primary reason that I wear them is because I started wearing brown more and all of my shoes are black. If I could find a nice pair of brown heels that weren't hideous, super high, or ridiculously expensive, I probably wouldn't wear them at all!
22. BDB said the following at 2:50 PM on Jul 15:
Brendt wrote:
>>BDB, Wow, your company gives raises ?!?! What's that like?<<
The phrase we use is this: Thank you for another year, here's your 3%.
23. Julie said the following at 3:51 PM on Jul 15:
I'm curious about the "heel problem" that supposedly comes from flip flops because of no arch support, etc.
There is a growing understanding that going barefoot (i.e. no arch support, ankle support -- anything) creates stronger feet and knees. Your feet and legs have to "learn" to do the work and not get lazy and weak by letting the shoe do the work. Nike has even capitalized on this by creating a kind of minimalist shoe that mimmicks being barefoot. And of course, barefoot running is all the rage.
So I wonder about the truth in that. Perhaps it has to do with the grabbing action required of the toes to keep the shoe on instead of the fact that it doesn't have support.
I spend most of my time barefoot or with flip-flops (work at home most of the time). After 20 years of little foot support...no problems.
24. Kellann said the following at 4:57 PM on Jul 15:
Just a quick comment on wearing flip-flops. I LOVE them!! I am a student and buy the nicer flip-flops with arch support (reefs or tevas) so I can walk around campus. One day I was in the computer lab and stubbed my toe on the foot of a table - which happened to be an open metal pipe. Needless to say, I didn't just stub my toe, I knocked a chunk out of it. OUCH!!!!!
Flip-flops or other open-toe shoes can be a hazard anywhere, especially if you're clumsy. I have a pair of Keen shoes (about $80 at REI but amazing) that have a thick rubber covering over the toes (wading shoes) but are otherwise just made of straps like chacos. So your feet get a breeze, arch support, AND they're protected. Worth the investment!!
25. Robert J Espe said the following at 9:18 AM on Jul 16:
Julie,
You are half right. God created the foot to work without shoes. But, after generations of genetic degradation, people who don't need shoes are the exception, not the norm. Most of the ones who still can are recently from countries where people with foot problems just die without reproducing. The other factor is that our feet last longer on most natural surfaces than on concrete and asphalt.
I can go without shoes on almost any terrain, but my wife has high arches, her feet collapse without special orthopedic supports. 200 years ago she would have simply been a cripple from childhood. Most people fall somewhere in between. Running without shoes will spell disaster for most people over the long haul.
26. NeedACatchyName said the following at 9:20 AM on Jul 16:
Generally speaking, casual dress in professional environments is much less widespread than it was a few years ago. Jeans are out, and ties and skirts are back in. Even in the technical industry, which is typically less formal than most other white-collar jobs, you see far fewer jeans and more nice khakis than you did a few years ago, and you're seeing more and more ties in a field where ties were considered to be "way too uptight" ten years ago. Here are a couple of articles discussing this trend:
Article one
Article two
In a nutshell, casual dress got a little out of hand a few years ago, so more and more employers are going back to more traditional business attire. Granted, this is only a general trend, and as the articles point out, many workplaces continue to allow casual dress, but the overall trend is very much going in the direction of more classic business apparel.
27. Oxanna said the following at 1:56 PM on Jul 16:
On ties, I like to quote the hillbilly from Andy Griffith: "Ever since I saw a hangin', I've been afraid of wearin' one of these..." Tried one once. I pity the men who have to wear them. Who said men don't have silly fashions?
Yeah, casual dress got a little out of hand, but I think if people can manage a nice medium ground, I'd rather it head in that direction. Especially in technical fields, where comfort is often key and the workers aren't often directly in contact with customers, I think casual dress can be much nicer for them. No sense in putting everyone in a suit, although they do look nice. And closed-toe shoes are a bit staid for women, unless there are safety hazards.
28. Justice said the following at 2:01 PM on Jul 16:
HMMM, I am also a skeptic of this study. Like someone before said, it is showing that training barefoot is the best thing for the body. The world Ultra marathon (50-100 mile foot races) champion from the past 7 years never started winning until he started training barefoot, his foot shrank from a size 12 to a 9.5 and his muscles on the bottom of his feet strengthened. Or how about that tribe in Mexico that runs barefoot for 3-5 days straight! Maybe it's because these people grew up on shoes!?!?
29. Brendt said the following at 5:51 PM on Jul 16:
BDB wrote: here's your 3%
Wow! That's 3% more than I've gotten the last few years!! You guys are loaded!!
30. BDB said the following at 6:35 PM on Jul 16:
Brendt wrote:
>>Wow! That's 3% more than I've gotten the last few years!! You guys are loaded!!<<
Well, housing prices are up 300% over five years, so we don't feel loaded...
31. Oxanna said the following at 6:41 PM on Jul 16:
Oh yeah, and I tend to agree with those who say that shoe's aren't always healthy. They're healthy for keeping parasites and nails out of your feet, and for protecting them from the elements, but I think many in today's culture are over-shod, if you will.
32. Anu (formerly known as Tomi) said the following at 7:19 PM on Jul 16:
Robert J Espe:
"Most of the ones who still can [people who don't need shoes] are recently from countries where people with foot problems just die without reproducing."
Hmmm...
May I inquire as to which countries you have been to where the average person goes without some type of foot covering?
33. Ted Slater said the following at 7:52 PM on Jul 16:
Anu -- I can't speak for Robert, but I do know that going without shoes in some places is truly rough on the body.
I spent about a year in the mountainous jungles of central Mexcio, working with a ministry to the Totonac Indians, most of whom didn't wear shoes. As a result of their non-shoe-wearing, many have foot problems, ranging from moderate to severe, from infections to cuts to breakages. One of the prescriptions was ... shoes.
I don't know that "survival of the fittest" fits here -- that in some cases those who don't wear shoes end up not reproducing -- but I do know that in some places of the world the people are worse off for not wearing shoes.
(That said, I love going without shoes, and go without shoes as often as I can. Sometimes even at work.)
34. BDB said the following at 7:55 PM on Jul 16:
Ted wrote:
>>(That said, I love going without shoes, and go without shoes as often as I can. Sometimes even at work.)<<
I'm guessing that none of you folks have ever stepped on a slug, eh?
35. Ted Slater said the following at 7:58 PM on Jul 16:
BDB -- eeewww!
36. Robert J Espe said the following at 8:08 AM on Jul 17:
Well, I was thinking of the aforementioned south-American Indians who run 3-5 days without shoes. Africa also springs to mind, as does Australia. I have Ojibwe moccasins constructed to match the ones used in 1804. They have no arch support, but they protect my feet from abrasion. They are wonderful in the woods (soft earth provides natural shock absorption and support), but awful on concrete. But someone with foot problems could never wear them anywhere.
Arch support in shoes is like many other medical innovations (such as braces, wisdom teeth surgery, glasses, etc) They are wonderful for the people who need them, but over time, more and more people need them because they promote "bad breeding" (and I'm using the term in a strictly utilitarian sense, fully aware that human reproduction should not be thought of as animal husbandry) I do love our medical technology, but we have to expect this to happen.
37. Carrie said the following at 9:52 AM on Jul 17:
Flip-flops are better for running than wedge sandals. (This I discovered while needing to run through the Atlanta airport last night.) That said, I would have rather been running with no shoes on at all, but this was the Atlanta airport. God only knows who stepped in what where before placing their feet in your pathway.
38. Katrina said the following at 2:52 PM on Jul 17:
I used to dress professionally at my student office job (nice shoes, slacks or skirt, button-up shirts or nice sweaters). Then they gave us a "uniform" of a ugly green unisex polo shirt with an emblazened university logo and now I look less like a professional and now more like a college bum.
I'm sorry- but a man's polo shirt with heels and a skirt isn't my thing. So if I have to wear it, it's jeans, the polo shirt, and flip-flops.
39. Olivia said the following at 12:20 PM on Jul 18:
I wear flip flops almost every day, year-round. Then again, where I live, a lot of people do - especially young people! =) I wear dressy flip flops (i.e. heeled flip flops) to church, or when I go somewhere nice to eat, or something like that. My volunteer "job" at the hospital is the only place I don't wear flip flops, because they have to be white and close-toed... :(
40. Devin said the following at 9:46 PM on Aug 28:
I am tired of the flip-flop craze.
To me, it's generally a sign that many women have crazy priorities. If I see someone who's 35 pounds overweight, and her hair is just a lifeless rug on top of her head, and clearly she doesn't care about her appearance above her ankles, her pedicure ain't gonna do a thing for me. Just put the closed-toe shoes back on and focus on some other problem areas.
I guess some people are so desperate to be comfortable that they turn to fads like this. And workplaces that have to police this stuff have to be tired of it, too. Then they sink themselves deeper with the B.S. about safety issues.
They should just be honest and say, "We don't want to see gross women showing their grosser feet. Flip-flops are NEVER appropriate in a professional setting. If you can't realize that, then you need to work in another office." And before anyone starts the "sexist" comments, guys also have no business EVER wearing flip-flops unless they're in a locker room or on a beach.
41. Joesaphine said the following at 12:50 PM on Aug 6:
Why do so many of you women think that everyone wants to see your nasty, smelly feet and toes anyway? Good pedi or not...
Flipflops are for the beach, I think it says a lot when I see so many females wearing a nice dress, nice hair and makeup, then my eyes travel down to their flipflop wearing feet!
Its a total sign of a lack of fashion sense and to boot, most of you have ugly looking feet!!!
Why not try looking more professional and wear a nice pair of heels or sneakers... get real!
42. IMO said the following at 1:37 PM on Aug 6:
LOL at #41..
Do you walk with eyes to the ground? It's not like feet are staring straight at you!
There's a lot of passion toward this subject by the look of some comments.
Get real problems, people. Then maybe your passion toward feet will become more subdued.