New uniform woes

jumpycheese1

We are going to start to wear new uniform at the end of the month. I did try on everything and things did fit, so ordered those sizes. This was 5-6 weeks ago.

Now we got our new uniform and the trousers don't fit. I can wear them, but I cannot sit down in them. I had changed some medication and has made me put on 3-4lbs.

I asked HR and they told me - you got to keep them as they fitted me when we tried the uniform on. I cannot wear them. They told me to see (a colleague) on Thursday - my day off and that won't guarantee I will get the next size up.

Why am I not allowed to just simply order the next size up?

They have screwed up most colleagues' orders. One colleague who is a size 16 has got a size 10 blouse and size 20 trousers. Are they expecting her to force herself into a 10 and to spend all day pulling up her trousers?

hothothot_3

tight fitting clothing can cause medical issues - reduced circulation, excema, breathing problems.

Id suggest that you keep chasing HR to do something.

if they kept fobbing you away I might try the health and safety route.

This should get their attention.

Likewise, oversized clothing could snag in machinery, cause tripping, what type of work is it you do?

loisa

I once had some work trousers that wouldn't fasten comfortably. I was able to solve the problem myself by removing the button and repositioning it. Another girl's were way too small though and she was able to wear her own until the new ones came.
Hope you manage get it sorted one way or another.

Vader123

You need to approach your manager and ask informally for a another size of clothing, if this does not work, do it formally, (via letter or email).

If this still does not happen you need to send a note like :

"As you are aware from my conversations with you, and recent communication, I have been provided with a uniform that is too small to wear. I am also aware that wearing this uniform is part of my contract and T&Cs of employment, something I have no issue with.

I asked on numerous occasions for proper fitting uniform and this has not happened.

So, I am in the situation where I do not wear the uniform and be in breach of contract, or wear the uniform and deal with all the comfort and health implications of this.

Since you are unwilling to change the uniform, I am forced to the wear the uniform. This letter is to inform you that

I am giving you formal notice of my plight and giving advance warning of potential problems.

The issues here are

1) I will need a risk assessment completed on being asked to wear a uniform too small
2) Any health issues raised as a result of this uniform will be passed directly to you.
3) I am unable to sit down in the uniform, so please ensure no duties are asked that requires sitting.

Or, you can change my uniform, I require a size xxxxxxxxxx.

Regards.


This needs to be a last resort.

Vader

jim_walton

jumpycheese1 wrote: »

We are going to start to wear new uniform at the end of the month. I did try on everything and things did fit, so ordered those sizes. This was 5-6 weeks ago.

Now we got our new uniform and the trousers don't fit. I can wear them, but I cannot sit down in them. I had changed some medication and has made me put on 3-4lbs.

I asked HR and they told me - you got to keep them as they fitted me when we tried the uniform on. I cannot wear them. They told me to see (a colleague) on Thursday - my day off and that won't guarantee I will get the next size up.

Why am I not allowed to just simply order the next size up?

They have screwed up most colleagues' orders. One colleague who is a size 16 has got a size 10 blouse and size 20 trousers. Are they expecting her to force herself into a 10 and to spend all day pulling up her trousers?

Don't wear them!!!

Vader123

jim_walton wrote: »

Don't wear them!!!

Jim, are you a troll? Its the second thread I have seen where you have given crappy advice.

By saying "dont wear them" the OP could be in breach of contract and mean an instant dismissal.

At least my suggestion meant they were always on the correct side of employment and employment case law.

Vader

borders_dude

Okay, so the uniform situation aint good.

But dont forget you may able able to get tax relief if you have to wash them yourself!

shiningdove

Go on strike and wear other trousers until they get it sorted.

If they can't provide good enough uniform for you to work in thats there problem.

paulwf

If it's just standard black trousers ask if you can buy your own or perhaps don't bother asking and just buy them as it is unlikely anyone will care. It's a shame the company can't get its act together, but corporate uniform is generally of very poor quality with harsh fabrics so you'd be better off wearing your own. Where I work hardly any of the women wear the standard trousers, as they (quite understandably) all want a style that looks and fits the best for them.

Savvy_Sue

If your employers are aware that you need medication, then that would be another point to put in the letter.

jumpycheese1

An update (for the moment) - I wasn't the only colleague with uniform problems. There is a shortage of short sleeve blouses and skirts for female colleagues. So we have been given short sleeve polo shirts. The place of work is retail. I want to keep my polo shirts as I assist with refits at other stores. At the moment I got blouses and with the refits, I am moving shelves, grovelling around the floor etc and have rubbed buttons off the blouses plus the female colleagues I have worked with on refits wear polos as well.

Back to the problems with the small trousers. My line manager has mentioned to the store manager that 4 colleagues in his dept have problems with trousers. One colleague was given trousers THREE sizes too small. Overall about 12-15 colleagues have been given trousers that are too small for them. Plus there were about 4 colleagues that were on annual leave during the time the uniforms were tried on and sizes were guessed. I did mention that have ezcema on my legs. I have a large patch roughly the same size as a pack of cigs on my leg. He has intervened and wants colleagues to bring back the uniform which is too tight back. Orders will be done for the wrong sized trousers tomorrow. Its my day off tomorrow and given my trousers in the care of my really lovely supervisor. Those female colleagues that wanted skirts, will get their skirts ordered at the same time. If the new trousers/skirts don't arrive by 26th Oct, the colleagues with uniform problems are able to wear the old uniform trousers and skirts until the new ones turn up. The current bottoms are a very dark navy and the new ones are black. Customers aren't going to notice those with the navy trousers/skirts.

With regarding the polo shirts, the colleagues are expected to wear them until the blouses turn up.

The male colleagues have no problems with their uniform - typical!