Types of Work Shoes

Shoes are a vital element of any workplace and indeed, there are often strict policies in place regarding appropriate footwear. This could be because of the health and safety of the staff or simply due to the expected uniform or dress code of the employees.

The variety of footwear needed for every job is quite staggering. We sometimes may not think it, but most of us have certain shoes we only ever wear at our place of work. There are some occupations where you are permitted to wear whatever you feel comfortable with, such as residential carers, couriers, bar staff etc.

Much of the time though, a job needs specific work wear to complement it and this includes the shoes. Think of builders, bricklayers, road workers, hod carriers or roofers. This line of work requires sturdy and tough boots, often with steel toe caps in case of something heavy falling on the foot. This type of footwear is all about protecting the wearer in what can be a hazardous working environment.

With police officers, boots are again used because of their durability. However, they have to be kept looking clean and presentable and fall in line with the colour of the uniform. A large element of the job appears authoritative, so the cleanliness of the footwear must be maintained. The army boot is very similar in this respect and must be both very strong, yet comfortable for ease of movement in potential combat.

Office shoes are clearly different from the larger boots worn by those in the police force or army. The emphasis is largely on comfort for long days spent in the office. Presentation is important too, as most offices adhere to a certain dress code, much the same as teachers have in schools. This kind of smart shoe is arguably the most common seen in workplaces across the country, from banks to courtrooms, airplanes to sales teams and hospitality, the traditional dark shoe or heel is perfect for many jobs.

Surgeons, doctors, nurses and other hospital staff who work on wards and in theatres will wear light, comfortable footwear that is practical and as hygienic as possible. The shoes would be kept at the hospital too, so as not to encounter any outside contamination.

Shoes at work are a vital component of any uniform and are in place to aid the worker carry out his or her job to the best they can.