“In an era when anxiety is reaching epidemic proportions, creating a space where employees can experience greater comfort can bring big advantages for creativity and innovation, as well as encouraging them to develop more meaningful relationships at work that foster cohesion and commitment,” she tells Fortune.
While not walking around the office in socks might save some time and money on cleaning the floors, breaking the social norm could also do more harm than good. Namely, that shoes do more than just add fashion to the office, Woolley says.
“The increased comfort and intimacy that could in some cases be a benefit to such a policy may also be a double-edged sword, as they may result in making important interpersonal boundaries less clear than they should be,” she adds.
The practice could create some awkward moments. As socks replace ties as the go-to work status symbol, Woolley points out it could raise hygiene or inclusion issues if not handled carefully. What feels casual for some might feel unprofessional—or even uncomfortable—for others.
For now, the no-shoes policy remains a quirk of small, fast-moving startups. But as companies experiment with new ways to lure employees back to the office, don’t be surprised if “business casual” soon includes socks.
