hi Guys
My daughter is currently working part time ( helps her to finish her studies and driving lessons )
She works for a national chain and is only contracted 4 hrs a week. ( currently been there 9 months )
Currently she is getting extra hours due to someone having left.
The company have just changed their policy on work uniform and advised her to buy new uniform, including shoes, trousers, blouses etc.
My daughter refused on our advice due to the fact that she's only on a 4hr weekly contract and minimum wage.
She has now been advised at work that she will face a disceplinary if she doesn't comply and their argument is that currently she,s working extra hours !
She,s frantically saving for a car and hopes to pass her test in 3 weeks time. If her extra hours stop again at work which they have said they will it means she will be back too approx 30 quid a week ! Supposing they decide to change the uniform again.
My daughter wishes to tell them to stick it but is being forced too by having to spend couple of hundred quid on uniform.
Has anyone any idea where she stands on the expectations of buying her own uniform ?
I think it's unreasonable !
Thank you Jaguar x-type sport gone
Jaguar x-type 2.2d sport one of my best cars ever sadly gone
Freelander 2 GS auto 2008 most unreliable ever ! gladly gone
Freelander 2 GS manual 2013 only time will tell !

I think it's unreasonable, I provide 'uniform' for our engineers, I don't expect them to pay for it.
Typical of a 'national' company, nothing more than corporate greed factories feeding shareholders.

Name n shame them

Can you not claim uniforms back as a tax break? Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

What does it say in her contract? That will tell you whether this is down to the employee or employer, whether we think this right or not.

First time I heard employees have to buy their own uniforms! I think it is unreasonable.

Never heard of anything so ridiculous. Can you name this 'national' company. I'm sure someone on here would know of someone else that works there and can check it out. Perhaps the Doctor will know?

Does your daughter wear a uniform to protect her or is it to promote company image?
If for protection then the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) advise that it is of no cost to the operative.
Hopefully a sensible employer will realise their duties and comply.
If she is a member of a trade union she may seek advice from them.

Good Luck
Joe Fix it until it's broke !

I didn't do employment law in full detail but did touch on it. As others have mentioned above, what exactly does her contract say? For example, my contract says I am to work at location X but if organisational needs and restructuring demands, I can be required to work elsewhere. Is there something similar to this in her contract for dress/appearance standards?

If she has signed something that states she can dress smartly but no insistence on uniform, they cannot click their fingers and demand that she now does. It has to be something that is in writing and all parties agree to and sign. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

If it's a fashion chain, like M#n#oon where my wife used to work you have to buy a certain number of items from the store but you get a big discount. Recently they were told that in some cases this was pushing wages below minimum wage level. She got a refund of about £75, and now for those on short hour contracts you still have to buy so many items, as uniform, but they give you an allowance to spend.

I might change my employees contracts, they can buy their own vehicles too

It's no wonder big corporations make millions, tax dodging, scrimping

I will check her contract tonight.
Her uniform is required more as a fashion statement and not for HSE.
The whole uniform is about 200 quid and she earns about £30.00 a week.
Many thanks for your input.
I will keep you posted.  Jaguar x-type sport gone
Jaguar x-type 2.2d sport one of my best cars ever sadly gone
Freelander 2 GS auto 2008 most unreliable ever ! gladly gone
Freelander 2 GS manual 2013 only time will tell !

The bus company I work for provide a full uniform (except footware), we get set points each year and there is certain things I must take 2x shirts, 1x trousers etc. it's in my contract that they will provide the clothing but it's the employees responsibility to maintain it.

Some small bus companies in the area provide a tie only with company name/colour and it's the employees responsibility to buy the shirt and trousers.

I know some fashion outlets stipulate that the employee must wear their companies fashion lines but get them heavily discounted.

I think it's a bit steep for a uniform especially on such a low income. 21MY Defender 90 S 3.0 D200

Well the plot thickens.
In her contract it only states to dress smartly and mustn't wear trainers.
It transpires that they have been asked to sign a letter of acceptance at work to accept the new rules.
Fortunately she hasn't signed it so will stand her ground.

So we now wait to see what happens next as they have insisted that she will have to face a disciplinary if she doesn't comply.

What she does requires her to wear an apron to protect her clothes so could that come under HSE ?

Saga continues Jaguar x-type sport gone
Jaguar x-type 2.2d sport one of my best cars ever sadly gone
Freelander 2 GS auto 2008 most unreliable ever ! gladly gone
Freelander 2 GS manual 2013 only time will tell !

That stinks.... dont sign it.

People are right that it may be some thing that can be claimed on tax how ever there must be a reasonable point ie does mean you have to pay to work !

T Terran



'The' Car For The Modern Day UK Roads ( ie all the pot holes )

'A Freelander that leaks oil is just marking its territory' - Wise words

Now a member of the FL2 'Silly Bill' Club

Ps.... may be its time to look elsewhere.... i also think you should name and shame.

T Terran



'The' Car For The Modern Day UK Roads ( ie all the pot holes )

'A Freelander that leaks oil is just marking its territory' - Wise words

Now a member of the FL2 'Silly Bill' Club