In Silicon Valley, Office Workers Are Ditching Their Shoes

Shoes are becoming optional at an increasing number of workplaces. In a bid to boost morale and creativity, startups and tech firms—particularly in Silicon Valley—are telling employees it's fine to slip off their shoes at the door, reports Quartz. San Francisco AI outfit Cursor, language app Speak, and creator platform Whop are among those embracing the trend, which has also popped up in the UK, per the Guardian.

• The no-shoes-friendly approach is part of a broader push to cajole workers back to the office with perks that go beyond bottomless coffee. "If a little thing like taking off your shoes makes you feel more comfortable—and thus be more creative—then that's a no-brainer," Natalie James, who heads the skincare startup helloSKIN, tells Quartz.

• Before you picture offices filled with bare feet, there are limits: Slippers and socks are generally required, and shoes typically must be put back on for trips to the restroom. The logic, according to some workplace experts, is that shedding shoes helps people relax, which could in turn boost productivity.
• Still, not everyone is thrilled. Detractors on social media cite concerns about professionalism, foot odor, and generational divides—older workers may not appreciate the new looseness, and women, in particular, face more scrutiny about what's considered "professional" attire.
• As for the science behind this scheme, the jury's out. One LinkedIn commenter quips, "Science says: Going shoeless boosts creativity (maybe). But no one's creative enough to un-smell your feet. ... [I]f you must free your toes, invest in foot powder, or a hazmat suit for your desk neighbors."