I had a former superior try the whole "you look unprofessional" with me.

Sat me down to complain about my appearance. I asked what was wrong with it and he wouldn't be specific. Just kept talking in general terms.

Finally I dropped the bomb on him. "The employee handbook says "collared shirt and dress pants. I'm the only employee who does this. (employee 1) wears jeans every day and (employee 2) looks like Jake Elwood. When is their meeting?"

Once I had him backed into a corner he finally admitted what he had a problem with. My beard and piercings.

"Handbook says nothing about either," I replied.

"Well you can either comply now or we can change the rules and force your compliance," he said all puffed up.

"Sounds like you have your answer then," and I turned back to my computer and went back to work. Didn't even look to see him leave.

That was the end of that issue. Never heard another word about it.

nothingbeast , Universal Eye Report

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RMA

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2 years ago

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I think the only thing I would struggle with is an employee with extensive face tattoos in a role with significant ‘average Joe’ customer contact. My advice to him/her is that s/he would need to be extra clean and tidy to reassure clients. It may not be fair but it is the reality.

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I used to work for a dealership that required you buy their uniforms and wear them...they were like 35+ a shirt. Before you even started your job you were in debt to the company like 120+ dollars, which they were nice enough to deduct from your checks.

Here's the best part. They changed uniforms every year!

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Nirdavo

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2 years ago

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There is an anser to a policy like that. It has two letters and begins with "N".

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Every job I've had that required a uniform made us pay for them. We couldn't even have it docked from our checks - nope, you had to buy the uniform up front, from the company, before your first shift. Branded t-shirts usually cost me $20-$25. Utter horse s**t.

ClaryTheBroke , The Creative Exchange Report

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WilvanderHeijden

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2 years ago

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Rephrase into: "Every job I've had that required a uniform tricked me time and again to buy expensive stuff and I fell for it over and over again." Even a donkey never hurts itself twice on the same stone.

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The last manager at my store tried to make us pay for coats with the company logo on them for deliveries. Her response to people not wanting to pay for them was to have a few "communal" coats that drivers could wear. DURING COVID. I told them I'm wearing my old one that we aren't allowed to wear anymore or they could buy me a new one.

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WilvanderHeijden

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2 years ago

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In the Netherlands the employer pays for the gear if it's got the logo of the firm on it.

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My last place of work I was a manager. They provided shirts for free, so when winter came around they went around asking if we wanted company fleece and what our size/color preference was. We were all looking forward to getting them, then when they came in we were informed it would be $25 for a fleece... That was already specifically ordered for personal preferences. I didn't buy one.

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WilvanderHeijden

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They thought they could make $23 profit on every fleece.

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I briefly worked in Walt Disney World, and while they have a lot of room for improvement in how they treat their people, work clothing was one thing I felt they did right. All of it was done on a checkout system; part timers could take out three outfits and full timers could take out five (tops and trousers). Then you could also take out one of each fall jacket and winter coat, rain gear, hat if it was required, belt, etc.—you only had to provide your own underwear, shoes, and socks. If you wanted you could keep your clothes as long as you were employed by them, or you could turn it in at any time for a clean set and their laundry service would take care of it (a lot of us would hold onto trousers if we found a pair or two that fit especially well and then just swap our shirts).

That was my first job and it set my expectations. I was really disappointed and frustrated when I went to work at a Six Flags and they issued me a single polo shirt and told me I’d have to provide my own khakis and buy any additional shirts out of pocket. And of course I ruined one of my two pairs of khakis in the first couple weeks when they snagged and tore on a trash can.

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Harri Ellis

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2 years ago

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Disney now allows tattoos and different hairstyles. Finally!

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My boss's just implemented a PPE policy that includes eye protection, slice resistant gloves, and safety toe shoes/boots. They provide the glasses and gloves, and pay $150 per year to all our production team for compliant footwear. In sure your company could shoot $10 per person for uniforms.

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Bill

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That mandate probably came from the insurance company and your's figured it would just be cheaper to buy than pay the fines for non-compliance

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State agency I had worked at decided to implement a "dress code"...

...until the lawyers reminded them that would be considered a "uniform" and the State would be required to furnish them at no cost to the employee.

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Bobby

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I'm not sure how much I believe this one, depending on the dress code. Having a policy like "no sweats, offensive or political logos, or backless shoes" isn't by any stretch a uniform to me, but if the dress code was "khaki pants and black polo shirt" then yeah, that is uniform

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I've never bought a company shirt for any company I've worked for. Charging me full price as an employee is horse s**t. We're talking $60 for a f**king cotton polo, $30 for a barebones tshirt. F**k that. You want me to wear company swag? Then provide it for free. I'm not buying it. I don't love the company THAT much damn. I just work here so I don't go broke.

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Grumble O'Pug

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2 years ago

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Yup!

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My previous workplace was pushing the staff to buy an overpriced hoodie with their logo so we can use out of work as it wasn’t allowed to use at work. The boss was always trying hard to squeeze the pennies we got paid….

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Grumble O'Pug

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So basically advertising for the company on your dime

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Back in the day when I worked for Time Warner Cable they provided us with uniforms; shirts, pants, hats and even climbing boots (every two years, including Red Wings if you wanted them). They were very much sticklers about your shirt being tucked in and that you never wore a hat that wasn't a Time Warner cap. A lot of ex-military so they were really into the uniform thing but no big deal, it made sense and they provided all the stuff plus a laundry service.

Also on our annual review was "Professional Appearance". On a scale of 1-5 it was a basic managerial edict that no one was ever able to get higher than a 3 which was defined as met all standards, so in effect - average. Typical. But my buddy had a good question to his supervisor: "I wear the uniform you provide, it is always clean, shirt tucked in, polished boots etc. I keep my hair neatly cut and shower and shave before every shift. What else do I need to do to get above average in this category?" The answer was of course, well um yeah well um yeah...you can't. Pretty f**ked up when Mr. Pig Pen with the dirty wrinkled uniform, 5 days of no showers and beard growth and no tooth brushing plus scuffed up boots can get the same "average" rating as you...cuz that, like almost all employee reviews, is how this s**t is rigged by management.

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In the UK if you got told you had to supply you're own uniform or pay for it you'd tell your boss to f**k off, even your average 16yr old fast food worke wouldn't take that here.

I remember when I was 16 labouring 10 hour days for 40 pound a day - even then I was given a few shop polo's and some proper decent workwear trousers (snickers brand if I recall).

Had to supply shoes/boots on the job but that's been it. Any uniformed workwear the employer has to pay for it.

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My dad was a correctional officer for 30 years. (Just retired) He had to buy a uniform and they were like $80 ea! You pretty much had to have 2 minimum. Booo! For him it was much more worth it though. He was a county employee, had a union, pension, good benefits. I’m not sure why a company that pays their employees less than $10/hr would expect people to buy the shirt! I’ve worked a several retail places and always got 2 shirts free right away.

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When I worked at AZ, a decent shirt was $20, pants were normally $10-15, and decent shoes for lots of walking that met company guidelines were $30. As someone who worked at a car dealership for a bit, formal Ford training, and formal automotive education and I was a sales manager, made $10.50 per hour in 2018. Battery acid from changing batteries in cars or moving old batteries around in the store would occasionally spill battery acid on my clothes and leaving nasty stains (they wouldn't totally eat through the clothes most of the time). If you told me to buy more shirts and pants, I would hit you with the "nobody else with my qualifications that cares about customers will work for what I get paid. Bite me."

Mediocre compensation all around. Even though I returned to college, I am out of college now. Currently, I am an accountant (almost Certified Public Accountant). The pay and benefits are so much better.

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M O'Connell

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2 years ago

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This is a PPE issue. If you are expected to handle hazardous chemicals they should enthusiastically provide you with gloves and a chemical resistant apron.

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My company gives 2 high vis shirts a year, but we can pay for more.

We technically don't have to wear the t-shirts, but we must always adhere to osha and the gc, so high vis is usually required.

And I dont normally own high vis shirts. But we're allowed to wear an extra layer as a provided vest in 110 degree Texas.

Not the worst deal, and I've been able to fish high vis shirts from office managers, but come on. I want to be able to professionally represent the company AND be safe AND not die in 110 degree weather, thanks. Let me have my damn 2$ shirts without spending 25$.

I just dont fully understand why they think 2 high vis shirts is enough to cover the needs of a weeks worth of labour. I'm stinky at the end of the day, and do NOT want to put that same shirt back on tomorrow.

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I have to wear a uniform...i get it for free. I have about 30 T-shirt. Winter shirts sweaters, hoodies different thickness of winter jackets. I have a lot to complain about about the company I work for...clothing isn't one of them. What's with these cheap ass companies not paying for clothes?

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Toni K. A.

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2 years ago

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It took me a minute to understand what you were saying, props to your employer!

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This pisses me off and it stems from the military.

Stationed in Schofield Barracks Hawaii, we'd get a monthy "uniform allowance" something like $15-$20.

Pants and Blouse cost about $80 all together.Boots your basic pair were about $60, a comfy good pair will be about $150PC(Patrol Cap - AKA Your Hat) - $20Pack of Green Socks - $15Pack of Tan Shirts - $10 for the cheap basic tan shirts.Beret was $10/$20 bucks too(Though the last I heard was they did away with the Beret completely - buy 2 cause if you f**k up shaving it, you're going to need a replacement)Alterations(Getting rank, patches, nametags and awards sewn on) would come to about $25 - more if your company had specific things (We had to get our platoon name ironed on our tan shirts)

You were generally expected to have 4 uniforms(including boots). 2 for the field(could be dirty and stained) 1 for everyday(didn't have to be prim and proper, but clean enough) and one for formation(Clean, Crisp and Proper, no stains, all patches and everything clean and tight)

Once a year you were allowed to exchange in 4 dirty uniforms and 1 pair of boots for a standard issue replacement of 4 uniforms and a pair of boots (And depending on that time frame, where you are, and what you were doing or what was planned, that didn't always happen) - This is just the standard everyday uniform. This isn't

If a uniform is required it should be paid for by the company. Replacements should be covered and frequent depending on the job.

I work in IT now, and they want us to wear company branded clothing from their shop. The cheapest shirt is $20 bucks, and for working in IT, they want us to have the standard polo which is $35, the underarmour one is $50, and the cold weather clothing is all $60 or above.

Edit: And good luck if you have a formation inspection by some Officer or Sergeant Major type, you will be buying a brand new uniform even if you have a good one tucked away for such an occasion.

default8080 , Specna Arms Report

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Sue Hazlewood

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2 years ago

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Hang on, in your armed forces you have to buy your own uniform? You're kidding me .......!

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I work in a dealership garage, I get paid a dollar over minimum wage, each paycheck they make me pay like $12 or so for them. We get them through Cintas, but IDK what's in those uniforms but they made me break out all over and it's still hasn't healed.

Companies want mandatory uniforms, they should pay for them.

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Grumble O'Pug

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Exactly

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Someone said that at a hospital I worked at. Most of the patients were wealthy and elderly. Think Super, Super Boomers.

Do they realize that sometimes we have to deal with body fluids, sometimes getting spliled on us? The patient that peed all over herself because she refused help? The guy that decided to draw his own blood because he thought that would be a good idea in the lobby?

Yet these patients thought we'd be on our "Sunday best". Probably after stepping out of our cars with fins on them.

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Harri Ellis

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2 years ago

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Hey, don't knock '59 Cadillacs! My first car.

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And at the places I worked... the more money you made the more free swag you got.

*sips homemade latte out of UPS branded mug

I really wish I knew who made my UPS duffle too. Thing is beast

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My old job provided our uniforms. The problem was, they gave us 1 uniform each. I worked 5 days a week. Was I supposed to wear a dirty uniform, or do laundry 5 times a week?

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WilvanderHeijden

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2 years ago

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The latter. And next you get written up because your uniform is worn, unless you agree to purchase a new one from them for the mere sum of $300.

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I worked at a deli chain. Shirt was $20 and taken out of your first check. Quit after 2 months

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Nirdavo

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You should have quit on the spot! In Germany it would be illegal for an employer to charge for clothing -he- requires the workers to wear.

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I used to work at the YMCA in childcare and they have a uniform. It actually makes sense because it helps parents pick out whose a leader in the crowd. Even they would provide us with the shirt though, which considering how cheap and demeaning to their staff shows just how low the bar is to just do this. They would only give us like 1 or 2 shirts though, thus technically requiring us to either reuse them or do laundry almost every single day. I just kept telling them I needed a replacement and then forgetting to return my old ones. They would tell me to bring them in but never remember to follow up on collecting them from me. I had a full set of 5 before I quit there.

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I was a server at a restaurant where we had to buy our white and blue checkered shirts, but could wear whatever jeans as long as there weren’t holes.

One night I carried too many drinks on one tray and spilled a blueberry/ blackberry mojito all over myself. My shirt was obviously stained and ruined so my manager handed me another one to change into for the remainder of my shift… $45 for the shirt came out of my next paycheck. Absolute bull s**

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I worked at a coffeeshop a few years back. We had a Yelp review that state something the effect of "The entire staff looked like they were about ready to murder someone..."

Management tried to bring this to our attention so that we could "adjust our attitudes" but we all laughed and said "Finally, someone gets it!"

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I work for the state and I'm the only person in my office in a different union so I'm un-uniformed. It also doesn't help that I'm absurdly baby-faced. I've literally been mistaken for a co-workers child.

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Worked at a coffee shop that paid 9$/hour that required me to buy a $20 uniform (t-shirt.)

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Reminds me when I worked for Domino’s: optional $60 Jacket (the only winter-wear allowed), and two free shirts and a hat.

My boss seriously was trying to sell these things like how high schoolers sell Blue & Gold, yet fails to realize that’s at least an entire day’s worth of work.

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For all their faults in other regards, Harbor Freight at least gave us our uniforms for for free and weren't too picky about the jeans you could and couldn't wear.

Before I left, however, they did start charging for alternative t-shirts. So, if you wanted to get a shirt with one of the brands of tools Harbor Freight owns, you'd have to pay. Otherwise, the navy blue shirts with HFT on the back we're free. Not only was I against getting those alternative uniforms myself, I thought they should be paying me money for being a walking billboard.

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That sums up exactly the sentiment that the corporate overlords have regarding their workforce. They don't care how hard you struggle, as long as you "look professional" and pretend to be happy. Nothing but a bunch of sick, sadistic bags of flesh.

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