We were told in my store that we must wear foot-enclosing shoes because it's a personal safety issue. (Which translates into normal-speak as, "Borders doesn't want to get sued because you/a customer dropped a sizable hardbound that broke your foot.")

This is not new policy for BoINC, and I suspect that it's always been one of those "understood" policies that typically didn't get enforced until Seattle's Best blew onto the scene with their far more strict dress code. When I worked at Waldenbooks several years ago, it became policy for us. It was also explained there that it was a safety issue. At least, our store mgr was honest enough to tell us outright that corporate didn't want to have to deal with lawsuits from people who got toes broken because they dropped a boxful of books on sandal-clad feet. Which doesn't explain away that dropping a box of books on any footwear but possibly a steel-toed shoe would likely result in broken bones...but, oh, well.

At WB, I was also told it's an insurance issue. I didn't think anything of it because we all wear sandals anyway. However, the first time I ran over my foot with the stupid rolling ladder I thought it was a fluke. I've done it at least 5-6 times, but I know that it's my fault for wearing open toed shoes. Trust me, running over your foot in tennis shoes feels much less painful than in sandals.

Like that stops any of us though.

is this really a big concern?

Hey, first post here, have no idea why this is the one that first motivated me! I don't know about rules and regs, but basically I agree that the 'no open toed shoes' thing is a good idea in a retail environment, regardless of the official stance. Of course, trainers/tennis shoes vs. open toed sandals is academic if something really heavy duty lands on your feet (whole pallet, whole bookshelf…) but otherwise wearing closed shoes instead of sandals really does make a difference.

I always wear trainers / cheap hiking boots because a whole day on my feet makes 'proper' shoes more worthwhile (put it down to age!) but some of my colleagues, while not wearing open toed shoes, do wear the fashion in the UK of ballet pumps / gym shoes, which are still closed toe but definitely offer no protection to the feet.

I have never had a foot injury in work but one colleague had a rather inconsiderate customer drop an oversize hardback book on her which left a nasty gash and huge bruise on the top of her foot. I've had the same thing happen to me and I've suffered no injury because the top of my foot isn't bare and the parts that are covered are just that little bit more protected. And in general it’s so easy to stub your toe or let the corner of a box of stock land on your foot. As it is, I am convinced close toe shoes are only sensible in a physical working environment (no matter how much u think u are just standing around and working a till/answering enquiries) and protect from more injury than u might suspect. And, not to sound too gross, but if a pallet or pallet jack was just starting to roll over your foot, it would catch on your toes much more quickly than the snub-nosed cover of a trainer which you’d have more time to pull away.

P.S I'm basically agreeing with what LolitaBonita said (and don't want to go into the whole shaved armpits / bare feet thing because doesn't that totally sum up what irritates you about what customers feel they can comment upon? i.e. personal appearance? I could rant forever..!)

P.P.S and YES, it really is a big concern, because I spend 5 days of my week in footwear suitable for work. I'm happy that it's not a concern for you but personally, if it changed to a slight heel or a general rule on what footwear we could wear I would have to question my employment there, as foowear has a direct impact on back and neck pain (just as general comfort/preference motivated the original posters).

People wear sandals all the time in our store. No stories of anyone being injured. Handling the knives used to open boxes strikes me as far more likely to result in injury.