This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/maliciouscompliance by /u/BelleCryla6 on 2025-06-12 18:12:10+00:00.
So this happened a few weeks ago when I started a new job at this very buttoned up corporate office . Think gray walls, serious faces and printers that only work when you threaten them. On a second day HR sent out this formal overly dramatic email with the subject line in bold caps. “DRESS CODE REMINDER, SHOES “ The body of the email was short and oddly strict, All employees are expected to wear black shoes no exceptions . Nothing about style type, material just black shoes.
Now I had my regular black dress shoes ready to go. But something about the way they worded that email, so vogue, so aggressive, triggered my inner petty goblin. So the next day, I walked into the office wearing black Crocs , yes real crocs with socks, holes full comfort mode. The kind your dad wears to grill.
I say down at my desk logged in like nothing was happening, a few heads turned, I even caught someone whispering “Are those crocs?” In a horrified tone like I had brought a live chicken to work. About an hour later, my manager walked by stopped, stared down at my feet and said, you can’t be serious , I smiled sweetly. But they are black shoes,HR didn’t specify.
He blinked clearly fighting an internal HR policy induced breakdown. He opened his mouth then closed it again, defeated. Technically I guess you’re right, he muttered and walked off . For the rest of the week, I wore them every single day, and every single day people got bolder with their reactions. One person asked if I’d lost a bet , another just laughed and said you’re brave.
By Friday morning, I knew I’d win . HR sent a new email titled : UPDATED: SHOE GUIDELINES. To clarify black shoes must be formal ,closed toe , and office appropriate. Casual footwear such as crocs , flip flops or sandals are not permitted.
Mission accomplished, the policy had been rewritten because of my glorious black crocs.