Is it appropriate to give your boss a foot massage?

[Jessica J]

I am an executive assistant for a Director at my company. I have been working for her for about two months. I have been an assistant before but never to someone so senior. This past week, she had me taking notes and kicked off her shoes. A minute later she asked me if I would rub her feet.

I was not sure how to react. She was very nonchalant about it and seemed to act like it was normal. I sat there frozen for about 15 seconds (felt like an eternity) and then decided to do it. Thankfully her feet were not bad, they did smell a bit, but the tights she was wearing helped. However, now that I have done this, she has started to expect it.

This just does not feel like an appropriate activity for me to be doing. I like my job and need it and it pays well. I cannot afford to lose it. Should I just suck it up?

 

[Spindrift]

Sorry, that is beyond disgusting and extremely inappropriate. I'd rather flip burgers at McDonald's than touch that skank's nasty feet, ugh, nothing in the world could make me do that, I'd have walked out the door when she even suggested it. Nasty vulgar sick demented female, you need to get out of there fast.

 

[Elle Z]

Totally normal. Don't give it another thought. By the way let me know when you're looking for another job !

 

[chaosjmf]

It sounds weird to me, but I've never been anybody's assistant. If she asks you again, try telling her it makes you uncomfortable. If she insists, talk to somebody out of HR. The company I used to work for had a way to submit questions anonymously.

 

[starsky_1212]

Totally inappropriate, be careful especially this day and age.

 

[jim]

Not really appropriate. Might be okay if the two of you had worked together a long time and had semi-casual interaction.
Takes a couple of minutes or so each day. Doing the massage is surely better than creating friction and way way better than a oafish male boss harassing you and touching you