Overview
- Media reports say the shoes-off trend has gained traction at startups, with a tracker listing about 20 offices that ask employees to leave footwear at the door.
- Some companies supply branded indoor slides for staff and visitors, with leaders describing a more relaxed, second-home vibe.
- Experts link the shift to the post-pandemic 'pajama economy' as younger workforces bring home habits into the office, while others cite cleanliness as a practical driver.
- The practice has appeared in UK startups with sock-only rules that bar bare feet and require shoes in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Online reactions highlight hygiene concerns, and coverage notes the policy is part of broader Gen Z-focused perks that may have limited appeal in age-diverse workplaces.