Can my employer make us wear a uniform?

diavolina

I've been in my job for two years now and there's no uniform - my contract just says I have to dress professionally and be clean etc. I work in an office and almost aways wear dresses to work; my colleagues usually wear trousers and tops.

One of my colleages overheard two of our bosses discussing bringing in a uniform. Can they do this when we've never had to wear one before and it doesn't say anything about one in our contracts?

richardvc

I wear a uniform for work and was dreading it when I joined my current employer but believe me it is great.

No wondering what to wear, no expense on clothes and you can even claim a little tax back for washing it !!

So if they do bring it in please believe me that it isn't all bad !!

93123

richardvc wrote: »

I wear a uniform for work and was dreading it when I joined my current employer but believe me it is great.

No wondering what to wear, no expense on clothes and you can even claim a little tax back for washing it !!

So if they do bring it in please believe me that it isn't all bad !!

How do you claim tax back?

ohreally

93123 wrote: »

How do you claim tax back?

Contact your local tax office. There are fixed expenses which may be allowable as well.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/eim32712.htm

joolsybools

I'm no expert but I wouldn't think they can force you without writing it into your contract.

mustang121

What's the big deal about uniform? It looks neater, professional, uniformed and corporate.

We have a policy at work which states it would prefer employees to wear black trousers, shoes and the company shirt / polo neck.

Strangely is mostly the men that favour the uniform as the majority of women ignore the uniform and wear thier own smart attire.

McKneff

if it has a company logo on it you can claim the tax releif on £60 ie
£12 per year. If you didnt know about this you can reclaim up to 4 years.

MissSarah1972

mustang121 wrote: »

What's the big deal about uniform? It looks neater, professional, uniformed and corporate.

We have a policy at work which states it would prefer employees to wear black trousers, shoes and the company shirt / polo neck.

Strangely is mostly the men that favour the uniform as the majority of women ignore the uniform and wear thier own smart attire.

I am sure no uniform looks smarter than a real suit and proffesional wear in the office. Where I used to work we all had to wear suits and smart professional looking shoes at all times. No bare legs either and no open toed shoes. The handbook stated this.

paddyrg

I can see both sides of this - if they provide a uniform then it gives a good consistent corporate image, however it only looks good if it is decent quality to begin with, washed regularly, and refreshed/replaced periodically. 2-year-old fleeces worn day in day out will look pretty gruesome when multiplied by a whole team of people. Then again for warehouuse guys is makes a lot of sense as their clothes will get trashed before they get old anyway!.

I would say nothing and not worry - overheard rumours make great office gossip but waste a lot of energy needlessly.

eamon

I wear corporate clothing as well. Its not a problem but I agree re the quality. My sister used to be a police officer and her role changed allowing her the choice, her meagre wardrobe of business type clothing lasted 2 days before she seen the light and reverted back to uniforms.

inkie

I have always been in jobs where I wear a uniform - first a nurse and then a midwife and now a vicar. Makes life more simpler, and means that I really value the times when I can dress up in my own things.