Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
Generally, companies are free to require employees to dress in a particular way, including wearing a uniform, as long as those requirements aren't discriminatory or illegal. Also, federal law allows employers to deduct the cost of supplying and maintaining a uniform (having it mended or cleaned and pressed) from a worker's paycheck, as long as their wages don't fall below the minimum wage after said deduction.
But just because businesses are allowed to do something doesn't make it automatically right. Don't you think it's rather funny that a multi-million-or-even-billion-dollar organization won't even dress their recruits to show up? Redditor u/pacify-the-dead does. Recently, they made a post on the subreddit r/AntiWork about a meeting with their company's regional director. She told u/pacify-the-dead that their staff looks unprofessional and that everyone on the team better buy the uniform.
Turns out, there are plenty more people who go through this stuff. The post quickly went viral, and as of this article, it has nearly 3K comments, many of which are similar stories from other Reddit users. We thought it was an interesting topic, so we went through all of the replies and picked the most interesting ones. Continue scrolling and check them out.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Boss just hired a kid to work outside. It's 10 degrees today. They want him to buy one of our branded $90 Carhartt jackets. He can't afford it. They are mad at him. I told the kid on lunch, to go a block down the street to the coffee shop that is hiring at $16/hr to pour coffees and sling donuts. I hope he listens.
RELATED:
#2
Just for the record, I walked out in my third company logo-ed Nike shirt today, absolutely free, and Im NOT expected to wear it to work unless I want to. It wasn't given as a reward in place of a pay raise or called a Christmas bonus or some bulls**t... the CEO just thought it'd be cool for us to have shirts for the gym so they bought them. THAT'S how a company should treat branded clothing.
#3
Here is how it usually goes down for me.....
"What size of uniform do you take?"
" I take a 2xl or 3xl in a Double or triple tall size. "
"oh, uh...we don't have any of those you can order."
SIX MONTHS LATER
"We need to talk to you about your lack of professional appearance and how disrupting it is when the client thinks you are the one in charge."
"Ok sure, so which is it? Because it can't be both."
Tolga ÜSTÜN 2 years ago
Problem is not how you look obviously. "How dare you look like my boss!"
#4
I got hired at a warehouse, where I moved up alarmingly fast; currently the warehouse manager. I found several boxes of company shirts, one day. The owner complained that my workers didn’t wear the shirts. I asked why and the workers said “they said it was optional, but the shirts are 15 bucks each.” I walked into the back and gave everyone 5 shirts. At this point in my life, I just don’t care. Stay strong homies
#5
My company provides uniforms (pants/shorts, shirts, hoodies, spring coats, winter coats, and winter overalls) and they give us a yearly allowance to get new things.
In a few months I'm going to check my stock and throw out the old [stuff] and get some more new ones.
The fact multimillion dollar corporations can't find $150 to buy uniforms for every employee is crazy to me.
#6
Lol I work outdoors frequently, but the majority of my coworkers don't. Because of this, we are given staff t-shirts but that's it. I usually have to wear a windbreaker and sweater over my shirt to do my work outside.
Leading to the questions from my supervisor, "Where is your staff shirt?" and I say it's under my layers. This dude says if I don't have a staff jacket (Which are 30 dollars!!!) then I should wear the t-shirt OVER my windbreaker...
Then has gall to talk about how important it is we look professional lmao
Marcellus II 2 years ago
Would it look professional with an XXL shirt over his windbreaker? That might be a way forward.
#7
15 years ago at Little Ceasars. They made me pay for my uniform. Then fired me a day later.
THEN asked for the f**king uniform back.
#8
This is also related to admin assistants & receptionists who are expected wear expensive office clothes to work everyday. These clothes are dry clean only & you can’t wear the same outfit more than once a week. They are supposed to look professional but they aren’t paid enough to even keep their clothes clean, let alone buy them
Meanwhile their boss who gets paid 5x their salary is annoyed that their assistants don’t look good
#9
Having worked in fast food, there are some places that give you 1 or 2 shirts, and then you have to buy any that you want after that. You also have to buy the special slip resistant shoes... at $50-$130 each, through a special catalog where you get a "company discount".
It's ridiculous that someone has to spend a week's earnings to buy shoes they are required to have in order to do their job.
Tolga ÜSTÜN 2 years ago
After I read all this entries, I see a patern here... I think owners of these shops are secretly member of a pyramid scheme for selling shirts etc... :)
#10
I used to drive an old station wagon to work. It’s was ratty as hell, but it was a project car and I loved that thing. I used to park out front of the building, and would drive a company vehicle throughout the day.
One day when I was out the GM came by and told my manager I couldn’t park out front because it would deter customers. This wasn’t a business where customers typically came in for our services. You would call or do it all online. The building was mainly to have a base of operations for our truck and supplies as well as the offices. I was so blown away that I couldn’t park my car out front. It wasn’t even that bad. May not have been everyone’s taste, but also who gives a [damn]. These upper level managers have nothing better to do, so I swear they look for dumb s**t to fix so they feel worthy of the paycheck they don’t deserve.
#11
One of the last doctor offices I worked in, I was asked my sizing. I must have looked confused because I was told the doctor provided 3 sets of scrubs made to size and a fairly hefty discount if you wanted any others. It was probably my favorite office I ever worked in, he treated and paid us quite well, when he died most of us ended up leaving the practice because we didn’t like who took over and the changes he wanted to make.
#12
Worked for a recruitment firm as the on-sight manager, the owner asked me what I needed while visiting. I said "fleeces, the doors in the cargo bay area are open all day, and the heating isn't doing much", He asked how many, I told him and he phoned head office and ordered them there and then. I know temp agencies get a bad rap, but the one I worked for really looked after all the staff.
#13
That is why I loved working with my dad, manager of a garden centre, uniforms were free however the shirts were uncomfortable and cheap. He told everyone on orientation this is a place where your clothes will get dirty here is a company shirt you can wear, but I won’t force anyone to wear something I wouldn’t want to do just dress appropriately for work. Hard to believe his former staff come back to visit him just because they miss him
Cecilia Herrera 2 years ago
It actually is easy to believe that former employees would come back to visit a former boss that treated them with respect and dignity. So many bosses take the, "my way or the highway" approach to being a boss. Good, decent bosses are missed. Bad bosses are only missed if your aim was off.
#14
One of our higher ups was at our store and asked my manager why a couple of us looked “unkempt” (a few of us have beards and tattoos) and my boss said “It’s not a Fortune 500”
I like you, OP.
#15
Where I work there is no uniform, we are very anti poverty and are aware that even a white shirt and black trousers isn't something everyone has, I know I don't. We are all encouraged to express our identity, whether you are at the bottom or the top which I love. As long as you have your ID and don't wear anything offensive it's all fair game.
Grumble O'Pug 2 years ago
Same here, except a lot of the guys dress like they work in the University athletics department 🙄🙄🙄
#16
Tbh if these are just like printed t-shirts or whatever, I can guarantee the cost to the company to buy them is a fraction of that. It is likely they actually profit from selling these to employees.
Source: my boss did this to us. I used to just steal them out of the inventory boxes and tell others where to find them cause I’m not paying anyone to perform labor for them.
Cactus McCoy 2 years ago
I have to ask again: Employers selling company branded clothing to employees who must wear these at work? Did I get that right?
#17
You're my hero. I worked for my company for 5 years accumulated 6 sets of uniforms. New Years Eve I was handed a new uniform and told to wear it or be fired. 50 bucks for each new uniform no compensation for what I've already bought. bs
#18
Had to pay $80 dollars for a corset as a cocktail waitress. Basically just had to work a whole shift for free. AND I still had to tip out the bartender/bar back even though she would ignore me for a long time, so I wasn’t getting my drinks quickly, thus got tipped poorly :/
I was young at the time and didn’t even think to question it. I only stayed about a month before I couldn’t stand it anymore. Still have the corset somewhere lol.
#19
I used to work for a bank (won’t mention the name but one of the large ones). They used to make you purchase uniforms (button downs and such with an embroidered logo) until they got got a nice class action lawsuit and then started giving out allowances to purchase said shirts.
Please check your state laws.
Grumble O'Pug 2 years ago
The bank I worked at was always hustling $60 logo’d polos. Screw that
#20
I had a boss many years ago who had worked a night shift for a bank and they made him wear a tie and dress clothes. He hated it so much. His only directive to us was to look clean which I think is fair.
#21
This is so infuriating. I once had a boss who wanted me to talk to my staff member about her "professional appearance." My staff member was making $35K before taxes and living w/her parents and siblings to help support that household. My boss was making well over $300K at the time. I'm sorry, but not everyone can afford a wardrobe from Bloomingdale's!
#22
That's literally illegal, the company must provide the uniform AND if they expect them to be clean the company must also pay to clean the uniform. They might be able to get away with providing multiple. The last uniformed job I had gave me 6 shirts so I didn't have to waste my money on excessive laundering. The job before washed our uniforms for us on site. Fire department washed our uniforms for us on site. Current job doesn't have uniforms because it's a real job not a costume party
Paul Macdonell 2 years ago
Not, unfortunately, illegal in most jurisdictions. But on another note isn't buying a new recruit 200 dollars worth of comfortable clothing not absolutely the cheapest part of the hiring process ???
#23
I got a waitress job that required we wore a company shirt to work and provided us with only 1 shirt. We were encouraged to purchase backup shirts for $25 each. We were also only allowed to wear company branded hoodies if we got cold, ofcourse they didn't provide any and they were available for purchase at $35. What a joke. I lasted maybe 4 days with the cheap bastards.
Tolga ÜSTÜN 2 years ago
This must count as uniforms and had to provide by the company itself. But well... capitalism I guess.
#24
I had a packing job at a supermarket for four years. It was part time and didn't pay enough. They had uniforms, but said it was fine for me to wear a black polo because we weren't customer facing and started after the store had already closed. So I did, for almost my whole employment there. After a year they kept trying to get me to buy their shirts but I refused as they could never point to a rule that said I need to have one especially when the store is FREAKING!!!! CLOSED!!!!!
At around the 4 year mark they brought in new rules and made us get these scratchy cheap dress shirts that were synthetic and not breathable which was a horrible idea for a stocking job. They still didn't provide the uniform, we had to buy it. So I wore my trusty black polo to their big inspection with upper management, being the only odd one out, yet the only one not also getting heat exhaustion. I quit with no notice a few days later to start working my current job which also happened to be my managers dream job. To say he was annoyed and jealous was an understatement. I skipped out of there that last night in my black polo and never looked back.
#25
Owner of a restaurant I used to work for would make me buy his $45 merchandise shirts to wear if I accidentally spilled bleach on them while cleaning for $2.33/hr.
#26
I used to work for Healthcare services group. Managing housekeeping, largely doing housekeeping, cleaning toilets, the works. It was like 5 years ago they stopped making us wear ties. Many ties got dipped in toilets.
Grumble O'Pug 2 years ago (edited)
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I sympathize: as a working student at a horse facility in the UK I had to wear a tie, white shirt, navy sweater, and beige jodhpurs. Best of all: a hair net. The BHSI (head instructor) was always telling me to tidy up. Full care for 6 horses, 2 lessons a day for me and 2-3 lessons teaching kids (Including warming up murderous ponies for wealthy children of peerage) I think I still have the tie.
#27
Reminds me of a loooooong time ago when I was assistant manager at Structure (now Express for Men) and my manager said that I needed to wear the current season’s clothes being sold. I said when then you are going to have to pay me more because I cannot afford spending that much money on clothes every three or four months. She didn’t like that and I didn’t stay there for very long.
Another funny story was while working at Stricture late at night doing an inventory count someone asked me when I was going to get my own place (now that I was “supposedly” making money, it was $19K/yr). Without even thinking I said “when I get a real job and make real money…” It was a long night after that.
#28
I had to buy a work shirt for $40 , my manager told me to buy 3 and 2 scrub pants. I only bought one shirt and wash it every Wednesday night. Ridiculous how uniforms aren’t provided.
#29
I get told all the time my department issued uniform is mandatory. I get that. They issue everything but the work boots and have the audacity to say the $200 boots I bought out of pocket is department issued and threatened to write me up.
#30
I started a new job last week and got 5-7 shirts of various kinds (long sleeve, short sleeve, 3/4 zip fleece, etc) dropped off to me. All company branded, not mandatory yet for my department. Not one of them fits, as they didn’t bother to ask me my sizes, and they are mostly all a horrible slippery non-cotton fabric that I can’t stand. (I’m in the shipping/receiving department, so lots of running dirty packages around and getting sweaty.) I can dress appropriately professional all on my own. It’s not like anyone is going to question whether or not I actually work for the company if I’m not wearing a shirt with the name on it. Planning to see if I can swap the shirts out for something in my size in a style/fabric I’ll actually wear.
What do you think ?
MonsterMum 2 years ago
Wow! I guess most of these stories are from the US. I'm in England and my older children's job provide them with full uniform and several sets so they can have clean stuff every shift (no cost). When something looks tatty it is replaced without fuss. The uniform are also very easy to wash and quick drying.
Nina 2 years ago
Yep, we in the UK get it - give them uniforms and they'll look good all the time. Imagine that.
Load More Replies... Lynda Vel 2 years ago
I used to work for a fashion store. They tried having us buy some pants to wear for Christmas week. They were not cute at all. We all said "no." If they gave it to us for free then we would wear them. But we're not buying them. So they had to listen to us and we wore whatever we wanted that Christmas week.
Demi Zwaan 2 years ago
I seriously don't understand why you people put up with this. If a company had a dresscode and expected me to BUY their branded gear, I'd laugh and ask if they were serious. I mean, seriously? Hahahaha. Our company once tried to change our dresscode from 'whatever you want' to work formal and no one did, because we're not paying to change our wardrobe because the boss suddenly thinks we need to go formal. Eventually they gave us all a 200 euro bonus to get some formal wear. Still didn't work out, because we were IT (both the 'sitting at your desk all day' and the 'crawling under someone's desk to fix their cables' kind) and never even saw customers, so we kindly refused to wear formal.
MonsterMum 2 years ago
Wow! I guess most of these stories are from the US. I'm in England and my older children's job provide them with full uniform and several sets so they can have clean stuff every shift (no cost). When something looks tatty it is replaced without fuss. The uniform are also very easy to wash and quick drying.
Nina 2 years ago
Yep, we in the UK get it - give them uniforms and they'll look good all the time. Imagine that.
Load More Replies... Lynda Vel 2 years ago
I used to work for a fashion store. They tried having us buy some pants to wear for Christmas week. They were not cute at all. We all said "no." If they gave it to us for free then we would wear them. But we're not buying them. So they had to listen to us and we wore whatever we wanted that Christmas week.
Demi Zwaan 2 years ago
I seriously don't understand why you people put up with this. If a company had a dresscode and expected me to BUY their branded gear, I'd laugh and ask if they were serious. I mean, seriously? Hahahaha. Our company once tried to change our dresscode from 'whatever you want' to work formal and no one did, because we're not paying to change our wardrobe because the boss suddenly thinks we need to go formal. Eventually they gave us all a 200 euro bonus to get some formal wear. Still didn't work out, because we were IT (both the 'sitting at your desk all day' and the 'crawling under someone's desk to fix their cables' kind) and never even saw customers, so we kindly refused to wear formal.
Related on Bored Panda
