Work Uniform

dottygirl100 · 19 July 2011 at 1:52PM

Hi all,
I am writing on behalf of my mum.
Her work place arranges her uniform for her and she pays a fraction of the cost. This is then taken from her wages once she has received the new uniform, but lately there has been issues concerning this matter. Firstly, they have not provided samples in different sizes for her to compare which one will fit best. When she asked her supervisor if the garments could be returned if they do no fit properly, they turned round and said, no - you'l have to buy again at full price from the supplier. As she is not allowed to buy her own uniform, she is a little concerned.

Would you please be able to help her as she is confused about her rights? Is it the same as if she was to go into a clothes shop and bought a garment which didnt fit, and still be able to get a exchange/refund?

Thank you

saintjammyswine · 19 July 2011 at 2:01PM

There are no rights to return/exchange if you bought the wrong size from the shop. Most large companies do this as courtesy but it is not a legal requirement.

dottygirl100 · 19 July 2011 at 2:16PM

but what if the company have not provided a sample size for her to try on? All clothing providers have different measurements for their clothes. I know when I tried these clothes on that they were stupidly small for even the skinniest of people. Im usually a small, but that wouldnt even fit me! How is she to know what fits her when the item is not in front of her?

Jarndyce · 19 July 2011 at 2:30PM

Is there any kind of written procedure or anythingn in her contract or staff handbook that sets out what happens as regards uniform? It does seem bizarre that they have to guess their size and if they get it wrong they are effectively penalised!

I can't believe a reasonable employer would actually do that deliberately, and it may be that perhaps their uniform policy is not being properly applied locally.

Whether or not there is anything your mother can do about it is another matter, unless she can find anything in writing or perhaps contact her Head Office to get reassurance on how this should be handled.

dottygirl100 · 19 July 2011 at 2:43PM

Thats the thing, obviously I cant assume her work uniform policy will the same as mine (even though we work for the same company) but I feel her management dont know what they are doing half of the time. Thanks, so basically tell her to look at her contract and talk to Head Office about it? would getting it in writing be the best option from head office if they say she can exchange the garments, that way she has proof.

Thanks

saintjammyswine · 19 July 2011 at 2:45PM

There is the right to return online purchases within (I think 7 days), this may be within that ruling.

Jarndyce · 19 July 2011 at 3:01PM

dottygirl100 wrote: »

Thats the thing, obviously I cant assume her work uniform policy will the same as mine (even though we work for the same company) but I feel her management dont know what they are doing half of the time. Thanks, so basically tell her to look at her contract and talk to Head Office about it? would getting it in writing be the best option from head office if they say she can exchange the garments, that way she has proof.

Thanks

Yes - check her contract and anything else she was given first, then perhaps a phone call to Head Office and if they tell her anything useful ask for a contact name that she can use, or even better for them to send/email her something in writing.

I may be wrong, but I don't think the normal statutory rights that apply when shopping apply here, unless I have misunderstood and she has to buy the clothes directly and be reimbursed? As I believe she is arranging this thru her employer it is them that should sort this out.

newmumincov · 19 July 2011 at 5:27PM

Can she not just supply her measurements to HR and ask them to order the correct size? Or can they get hold of a size chart?

hcb42 · 19 July 2011 at 5:32PM

That is bizarre, it is not in the company's interest to do this, surely they do not want their employees with badly fitting uniforms..I would suggest she explains her concerns again to the Hr dept or appropriate person