Can I claim expenses/costs for using my own clothes?

ispartacus75

I am a bus driver and currently working with the Olympics at football ground away from London operating a park and ride service.

As part of the job we were to all be given uniform consisting of 5 polo shirts, coat, hi-vis vest and cap. These were not to be provided by my direct employer bit be sent in by a third party company. Out of 15 drivers at my depot 3 of us did not receive uniform (or security passes but thats another matter)and so we have had to use our own clothes to be able to come up here and operate the service.

Can I claim expenses for wear and tear to my own clothes? I have so far completed 3 out of 7 shifts and there is no sign of my uniform. My superiors have been in touch with the company supplying the uniform and they have said it might turn up in time for the next Olympics!

If I am able to claim expenses who do I claim from, my employer or the company they are contracted to for this job?

Cheers in advance

tinshed

I think you can get tax relief for the cleansing of a provided work uniform, pretty sure you cant for your own clothes though. Id ask your employer for recompense for wear and tear to your clothing seen as they have failed to provide you with the appropriate ppe.

ispartacus75

My point is they didn't fail to provide it. The company who we are operating this Olympic contract for failed to send the uniform to my employer. Makes it a bit more complicated.

Definitely will speak to my employer and see what they suggest. Don't want to see them out of pocket as its not their fault.

tinshed

You work for them not the clothing supplier, thats there problem to sort out out.

McKneff

As tinshed says you can claim an allowance against clothing that you launder that has a company logo on it.

To be honest, it would be minimal, the tax allowance is £60 a year which is the tax allowance for this so all you get is the tax on £60 which is £12. per year. Divide that by 52 (weeks) and multiply it by 2 (olympics) and its pence.

I would just move on to be honest.

princessdon

Have you had to go out and buy set items (eg I don't own black polo shirts) or are you using your own clothing?

Certainly if you have had to purchase new items to fit their desired uniform effect I'd be complaining to them.

If you are just working using your own clothing then is it really worth it? Many of us wear our own clothes to work

That isn't to say I'd be asking for a contribution from them as they were to provide a uniform which is what I'd suggest

getmore4less

Come to work wearing Pepsi. mastercard, Burgerking shirts.

They will find uniforms quick enough.

paddedjohn

What do you normally wear when you drive a bus? wear that.