Slippers

Ever since I started working full-time, I’ve been wearing slippers at work. Just because it is way more comfortable than staying with your shoes on all day long. Sounds weird? It shouldn’t, because it is a habit driven only by comfort and does not contradict any formal or informal rules at the usual software development company. I doubt there’s a software company with dress-code for developers. But there aren’t many people that afford that much comfort. Why?

It looks strange and it is disrespectful – you are at work, not on holiday in a hotel. Others are trying to be dressed smartly and you are wearing slippers – what are you trying to demonstrate? And your feet smell!

From these I can only take the last one as reasonable. If anything causes discomfort to your colleagues you shouldn’t do it. If this is not the case – go ahead and wear slippers at work. You’ll like it.

The more general point here is that software development is (or at least we’d like it to be) creative and requires working conditions that are “above average”. Google seem to have realized that – they provide very cosy working environment. Joel Spolsky is also an advocate for pleasant workspace.

Ever since I started working full-time, I’ve been wearing slippers at work. Just because it is way more comfortable than staying with your shoes on all day long. Sounds weird? It shouldn’t, because it is a habit driven only by comfort and does not contradict any formal or informal rules at the usual software development company. I doubt there’s a software company with dress-code for developers. But there aren’t many people that afford that much comfort. Why?

It looks strange and it is disrespectful – you are at work, not on holiday in a hotel. Others are trying to be dressed smartly and you are wearing slippers – what are you trying to demonstrate? And your feet smell!

From these I can only take the last one as reasonable. If anything causes discomfort to your colleagues you shouldn’t do it. If this is not the case – go ahead and wear slippers at work. You’ll like it.

The more general point here is that software development is (or at least we’d like it to be) creative and requires working conditions that are “above average”. Google seem to have realized that – they provide very cosy working environment. Joel Spolsky is also an advocate for pleasant workspace.