Whether you're walking the floors of a big manufacturing facility, standing at a register or racing between job sites, your feet are putting in the work, according to a survey by KURU Footwear.
Nearly one in five employees filed a workers’ compensation claim pertaining to foot pain in 2025, the data showed, with 56% of those experiencing ongoing foot pain daily and 48% considering a job change to reduce their foot pain. At the same time, 24% believe their job has permanently damaged their feet.
“Foot health isn’t just a personal issue, it’s a workplace one,” said Victoria Schmid, a spokesperson for KURU Footwear told PropertyCasualty360.com.
“Not everyone who feels their job causes their foot pain is filing a claim, but a good percentage do,” she said. “These are striking numbers that show that the impact of foot pain extends well beyond discomfort, it can affect livelihoods, productivity and quality of life."
Foot pain by the numbers:
- 56% experience foot pain daily.
- 24% feel it less than once a week.
- 15% deal with it weekly.
- 3% say it hits monthly.
- 2% experience it constantly with no relief.
How respondents described the intensity of their pain:
- 61% say it’s moderate and occasionally disrupts their day.
- 20% call it mild but annoying.
- 18% say it’s severe.
Meanwhile, most U.S. workers can’t afford sick leave, with 67% of employees choosing to work while sick over the last year as millions of Americans without a federal guarantee for paid sick leave were forced to choose between income and well-being.
"This staggering statistic has real implications for both employee well-being and organizational risk,” a Team Software spokesperson told PropertyCasualty360.com.
“In industries where safety and reliability are paramount, this presents a serious exposure—sick or fatigued workers increase the likelihood of costly incidents and claims,” the spokesperson added. “Addressing the affordability of sick leave isn’t just a workforce issue, it’s a risk mitigation strategy."
The slideshow above illustrates the industries where workers are impacted most by foot pain as selected by KURU Footwear.
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