Work uniform injustice?

so my work (a retail store) posted a memo about a new policy that all workers must have a black polo shirt buy the 22nd...only thing was we had to buy our own. So on the 22nd i showed up with a shirt that was a black polo shirt. My boss told me that I had to buy a black polo shirt or else I would be sent home until I did...I told her i would not be buying it because the law clearly states that the work should provide a uniform. She then told me that there would be tax rebates for the price of the shirts. I then told her that well I just don't have the money to spend on shirts right now...so they sent me home. Are they breaking the law...or is there some kind of loop hole they're going through?

Is it legal to just give a tax cut? I was under the impression that the store had to buy the shirts...not the government...sounds fishy to me...this store isn't just a mom and pa store either it's pretty huge.

starfish

Unfortunately, employers are not required to pay for your uniform. They aren't breaking the law. Almost every work place has either a uniform or a dress code that workers have to follow, and very few places actually provide or pay for the clothes. If you don't have much money right now, I would recommend looking for one at a thrift shop. You can probably find one for about $5.

colostomy_punch

Though it is unfair for them to send you home because you don't have the means to buy the shirt, it is their right to have you dressing accordingly as you represent their store and they have told you you will get a tax rebate so I'm guessing they covered their @ss.

confused

It isn't against the law. Most employers expect you to purchase your own uniform. However when a change is made they must allow you to wear whatever until your next paycheck so you can purchase a new shirt.

I have never worked at a job that provided the uniform.

There are tax cuts, you can use purchases you made for work apply as deductions coming tax time.

This isn't a big deal. You can find black polo shirts anywhere for under $10.

Some company's have a ridiculous outfit they want you to wear that you can only purchase from their disreputor for $100+

âŒ¡MacâŒ

If it's a pretty huge organization you should know they never would think of implementing a policy like that without having it cleared through legal and briefing the store management. What they are doing is perfectly legal, and since the shirt can be worn outside of work I believe that it does NOT qualify for a tax deduction either.

Alex S

They sound like they are just a bunch of @sshole employers. Best thing to do is play them at their own game. Get a friend to come into their place of work and steal a whole load of stuff whilst you turn a blind eye. Then throw a brick through their window, leave that sh?thole of a job and find yourself somewhere decent to work.

Citicop

If you don't like the rules they have, you can find a new job with rules you do like.

Loony

I dont know what the law states but i am clearly on your side..though as I think about it ive heard of places like GAP that anyone who works there has to wear their clothes (that are currently on the rack) while at work, and the employees have to buy it out of their own money. I think this is true, because it was something we were studying in school, not just a rumor but i dunno.. anyway, but at GAP since they dont try to hide it im not sure its against the law, but i think that is also stated before you take the job, not forced upon you afterwards so...yeah, but in your case, you might want to look into it more..though if youve quit the job, unless it was that great, i would just try to get a new and maybe better job.

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