Employers urged to relax dress codes during heatwave

I always walk around at home with bare feet or slippers as it is more comfortable. I would never consider walking around at work that way.

At home I know what is likely to be on the floor and outdoor shoes are not worn in my flat at all.

There are plenty of comfortable slip on sandles like Birkenstock called house shoes in Germany if people must - keep a pair of these at work to change into.

The other answer is buy shoes that fit, instead of look nice.

I would say that barefoot in the office is entirely inappropriate as well as potentially dangerous/harmful. Are we talking mainly about female staff? I ask only because ladies shoes can be easily slipped off. The thought of male colleagues bending down under their desks to remove socks and shoes is more than a bit off-putting. Don't you have some sort temperature control in the work place?

Apart from the sensible reply from Kevin, one must ask why anyone would consider walking around the office barefoot? I would presume that street shoes will contaminate the floor covering every working day and while I am sure you have competent office cleaners its questionable if they manage to remove all contaminants each and every day. Next move carpet slippers? Keep your shoes on

I personally find the practice distasteful and potentially discriminatory, as there seems to be an expectation that only certain employees are aesthetically fitted to walk around barefoot.
There's a hygiene argument for not allowing it e.g. verrucas, athletes foot, shedding skin on rough carpet surfaces, the smell, fungally infected toe nails etc.
There could also be H & S factors to consider. Drawing pins and staples on the floor, the increased risk of moist feet slipping on smooth surfaces.
What would you do if you were two floors and the length of the office away from your workstation (and footwear) and the fire alarm goes off? Its a real fire and the fire doors are propped open by (of course) the fire extinguishers. Your escape route is down an open-mesh steel staircase, then across a gravel driveway (it's a prestige office) to an Assembly Point which is surfaced with asphalt. The sun is beating down and the tar is melting .. as is the chewing gum trodden into it.
Me, I'm keeping my shoes on.

Is it Ok for staff to go 'barefoot' when walking around the office? Is there a health and safety issue?