A new survey from Footminders Inc. finds that 53% of workers who spend long hours standing or walking experience foot pain several days a week, yet only 22% use orthotic insoles. The findings, detailed in the company's Foot Pain at Work Report, point to widespread discomfort and low adoption of supportive footwear solutions.
Conducted online between March 1 and March 11, 2026, the survey targeted U.S. workers employed in roles requiring at least four hours of standing or walking per day. Of the 512 respondents, 246 met the qualification criteria. The results show that 42% of workers feel foot pain before their shift ends, with heel pain being the most commonly reported issue. Additionally, 44% expressed dissatisfaction with the support or comfort of their work shoes.
The impact extends beyond the workday: 32% of respondents said foot discomfort affects their quality of life even after leaving work. Despite these challenges, only 22% of workers experiencing weekly foot pain reported using orthotic insoles, suggesting a gap between pain prevalence and preventive measures.
Workers from a broad range of industries participated, including healthcare, retail, construction, and food service. 'These results highlight how common foot pain can be for people whose jobs require long hours on their feet,' said Fred Salomon of Footminders Inc. 'Many workers assume soreness is unavoidable, but supportive footwear and orthotic insoles can often make a meaningful difference.'
The findings underscore a potential health and productivity issue for employers, as foot pain can reduce worker comfort and efficiency. The full report, including industry-specific data and ergonomic analysis, is available from Footminders, a Boca Raton-based company that develops podiatrist-designed orthotic insoles.
