Do we legally have any rights if store personnel calls out your bare feet?

Since I started BF'ing almost all the time in May of last year, I have only noticed a select few stores with signs near the entrance saying shoes are required. Kroger grocery stores and Home Depot hardware stores are 2 such places that I've noticed recently. McDonald's is known for their NSNSNS signs, but actually some area locations I've been to do not have such signage.

So, if I go to some store BF with no such signage stating shoes are required, and a store staff person says I must have shoes on or leave the store, do I have any rights at all?

I went to Lowe's once (Home Depot competitor), but a different location than I normally go. Some guy pushing shopping carts in from the parking lot said I must have shoes on, that it was store policy. There was no such signage or anything, and I've never had a problem at the Lowe's I normally visit.

Even if someone said it was store policy, if I asked them to produce a copy of said policies that include a shoes required policy, and they could not do so, would I still have any rights to continue to be in the store? Would they have the right to physically force me to leave?

Just wondering before I get the nerve to argue and object anywhere. Most times I either grudgingly go out to the car and get my flops or just leave. Nowadays my wife won't go with me most anywhere if I'm BF, because she's afraid someone will say something and she sees it as a huge embarrassment if I have to go back out to the car, and even worse if I try to argue.

The other night we did go to Target and I went on in BF, and she either didn't notice or just didn't say anything. I've never had a problem at that Target. But if someone did say something you can bet I would be in the doghouse afterwards.

 

id ask to speak to the manager if any employee made a fuss...and if they showed me some policy that said no bare feet I'd just say "okay then...i'll spend my money somewhere else" ..and walk out with a smile

 

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To play devil's advocate the big reason for the policy is because if something sharp is dropped on the floor, or a corrosive chemical for example, they don't want to be held responsible. Insurance companies these days force the hand of private companies. When I was stocking in a store, I noticed people breaking glass all the time and the sweep-up job was shoddy at best and there were still small shards around. Sure you probably take it as part of the territory but an insurance company won't see it that way.

Too many people want to sue sue sue instead of accepting that life has its random downs and encounters with some misfortune, it's part of the journey of life. But they see it as an opportunity for some $$$. Stores are now required to have such a policy requiring footwear.

 

I pull my high heels out my bag and say "all better now fag?".... throw in a "dont they look sexy big boi"..

 

BTW as far as the question of rights, you don't have any civil rights in this case. They can kick you out just because they don't like how you look. The only possibility would be if it's an ADA issue but I don't see how you can swing that. Maybe if you tell them that shoes and covering cause you to break out and could be dangerous to you health MAY fly.

 

Another good reason for not living in America. Here you cannot sue for personal injury. End of story. We have free health care for injury and if you are unable to work you automatically get paid 75% of your wages by the government until you are mediacally assessd to be able to work again.

 

Dang I need a doctor's note saying that I should be allowed to go barefoot everywhere, for health reasons. :2thumbsup:

I know that stores can kick someone out for not wearing shoes, but is there not any law requiring such a policy to be posted conspicuously, or at least have it printed on some "policy" document that is readily available to customers?

We have all heard on here how Wal-Mart has no corporate policy regarding footwear in their stores. However some people have gotten harassed about it. If the harasser (WM employee) is in the wrong, does that person have any right to kick out the barefoot person?

 

Wish we could have such a nice system. =(

AFAIK there is no such law. But could be a local law somewhere requiring signage but otherwise it's private property.

As for corporate policy, I don't know. WM pretty much leaves that up to the CSMs (Customer Svc Mgrs) but you can try calling their complaints hotline. It's a shame not enough people know about the BF lifestyle.

 

I'm not an insurance expert but I don't believe that stores are "required" by their insurance co. to have a "must wear shoes" policy. Most liability insurance I've seen provides coverage against loss arising from any third party claim that is approved. They don't list a whole lot of specific exclusions (other than obvious ones) because there'd be too many possibilities. It would also be illogical to require "shoes" because that term isn't specific enough. EG flip-flops might cover your sole against a puncture wound but certainly won't do much if a heavy box falls on your toes. What they really ought to require if you accept this line of thought is steel reinforced workboots for evryone entering the store - see how well that would fly!

I think the insurance ploy in denying bare feet is bogus and you could challenge it if you feel so inclined - ask to see the policy.

 

Im afraid I'm not much help in this thread, never seen one of those fucking no shoes no service signs down here. NZ is so barefoot friendly, I've never been anywhere where I've been turned away....the real challenge for me is to find somewhere that doesnt let me enter barefoot!:love:

 

I'm pretty sure most places have health and safety codes about it, and that's why stores have a problem with it. They don't want the liability when you puncture your pads on a screw in home depot and they don't want the health inspector to see bare feet next to food products.

 

Bunnings (Hardware store for our North American friends) have a sign at the door saying you must wear footwear. I have never been in there with shoes on yet... and you do look pretty obvious when you walk in with bare feet (and in my case, on crutches). There are always plenty of others in there with bare feet as well.

 

I actually work at a Bunnings, and yeah you're right about the no bare feet sign. Although Plenty of people do, including myself and most people couldn't care less. Occasionally I've seen staff just mention to someone that it is their policy, but generally let them continue on with their business.

 

There are no Health Department regulations regarding bare feet for customers in establishments in at least 48 US states. That's another long-standing myth that it's against Health Department rules, but that is false for the most part.

 

No. We have no such rights in the USA. Private businesses can make up the rules as they go along, as long as they don't discriminate based on race, sex, religion, etc. Sometimes there are even exceptions allowed to that law, such as restaurants, bars, and clubs that don't allow men to wear sandals, but women can.

Probably the worst thing you can step on in a store is broken glass from a high-efficiency light bulb. I've read that some of this glass is coated on the inside with all kinds of exotic materials, some of them very toxic. Some of the lighting contains mercury, which is a poison that builds up in your body and never leaves.

Of course, I'm sure everyone posting here has learned to keep a lookout for glass, especially the thin slivers. It's usually easy to spot in modern stores.

 

Over on the Barefoot Running Society, a guy posted a few weeks ago saying he got his first barefoot injury, but not from running! He was taking the trash out and stepped on a glass ball Christmas ornament, you know the kind that is EXTREMELY thin glass. He said a sliver got in his foot and kept going deeper and deeper in, such that he had to have a doctor remove it. I think it was just a freak accident, like the trash bag ripped and the ornament came out or something, so definitely not anything that happens on a regular basis.

But still, OUCH!

 

I've never seen the sign at our local Bunnings, and Ive been in there dozens of times in barefeet. Interesting too, they usually have a 'greeter' at the door and she has never said anything....:love:

 

yep, seriously you do not want that shit anywhere near your bare feet! or anything else for that matter! awareness about these hmi bulbs is starting to spread thankfully, but i think its even more potentially hazardous in the home where youre much more likely to come into close contact with a broken bulb.

There was something that got forwarded around at work about a guy who stepped on one of these and the injury to his foot, ill see if i can find it... not sure how much truth there was in it though, never know what to make of these emails that go flying around..

 

I don't know what our rights are, but I've decided if I'm challenged anywhere again I shall ask to see the manager and then put my case to them.