Been told my footwear is unsuitable but can it be a reasonable adjustment?

Been told a second time by one of the managers at work (there's a lot of them, one store manager, two assistant managers, and lots of duty managers), that the next time I wear the shoes I have been using as workshoes after I get paid next I will be sent home. He's the only one who has voiced an issue with my shoes.

Bit of context; I bought a pair of Dr Martens canvas boots (link - www.schuh.co.uk/.../ ) for work.  Was told that footwear needed to be plain black.  Pretty much it I thought.  But no, these are unsuitable because they are sneakers (I would argue that they aren't sneakers), and because of the very slim yellow line around the sole. 

Now there's nothing in my contract specifically about uniform policy, and the employee handbook just says black shoes, no training shoes, open-toed etc, oh and "other unsuitable footwear".

I've got wide feet and these are so comfortable, most other black shoes aren't, the cheap crap certainly isn't.  I also run hot so need something that breathes.

Work also don't know that I'm autistic, I have been meaning to give them a copy of my assessment statement, but since that manager had been away for weeks and no one else mentioned my footwear I forgot about it, but will give it to them tomorrow.

My question is, would it be considered a reasonable workplace adjustment to ask them to let me wear these?  I've also seen other people wearing similar "sneaker" type shoes (one of the assistant managers for one), and they meet most of the criteria in my mind.  Health and safety wise, I don't need to wear safety shoes as it's not a requirement, and they aren't slippy.

Thanks for any replies!

  • Nemmie85 said:

    it feels like he's enforcing this just to assert some authority).

    Think that's the case 9 out of 10 times when we get into trouble for not being cooperative, being inflexible, complainging too much, lacking respect... "Normal" people just give in and complain badly to everybody around while we try to find a genuine solution (which is not appreciated if the reason for a manager to insist is just the one you have mentioned).

  • Evan, I suppose I should've clarified that too, I work in a Lidl store, so can spend a couple of hours each shift walking around the store.  I gave my assessment statement to the store manager today and specifically told him that I wanted my shoes to be considered a reasonable adjustment.  He seemed amenable to it.

    Also I really really do not like shopping, I have to be in the right headspace to go out and make the effort.  And I really object to buying another pair of shoes after I bought these ones specifically for work, even if I could get another pair for a tenner (and after working with footwear in my previous job, I know that the cheaper the shoe is the poorer the overall quality, comfort etc, and I wanted something that wasn't just for work, ie walking to work).

    I could put it all down to me being cantankerous, but I do feel that the manager who bought it up is being unreasonable (he also basically talked down to me and treated me like a child which I do not think highly of, and it feels like he's enforcing this just to assert some authority).

  • Guess I would paint the yellow thread black with a textile marker (although that would be a bit of a shame looks-wise). But then that's the kind of attitude that gets me into trouble quite often because in addition to having done something that turned out to be against some rule (I wasn't aware of or couldn't see the need for) I'm then also showing a lack of respect someone believes they deserve just because of their position, so maybe not the best advise...