Uniform Costs and the Minimum Wage

superbigal36

Did you go to the interview in a bin bag ?

callum9999

Another_not_new_user wrote: »

I think it needs to be very clear - the employer IS NOT paying less than the minimum wage. They ARE paying the minimum wage.


They have a "dress code" for work, and employees are expected to attend work dressed appropriately. The employer is prepared to LOAN employees the money to buy appropriate dress if they do not have it or choose not to spend money they already have on it. Since this is a loan employees are expected to pay the loan back. Repaying a loan is NOT taking the wage below the NMW. You are being paid the NMW and agreeing to repay a loan by deductions. Which is no more illegal than you paying your rent, credit card or electricity bill out of a NMW.


So nobody is violating your right to earn the national minimum wage. There is no case. The full extent of the law would extend to signing on at the Job Centre and explaining to them why you refused work. Unless you have another job to go to or don't need a job, in which case this is all moot.

I wonder where I've heard that before... Oh wait, I just said it...

While I appreciate the advice you've been giving me, I don't appreciate the tone you're taking. I'm not making up some fictional right I have - I asked if I had it, was told I didn't then immediately accepted it without question.

Nada666 wrote: »

That is not a uniform. That is clothing. You cannot be reimbursed for clothing.

If you choose to only buy clothing that would not pass muster for work that is your choice - but it means extra expense for when you work. It also means you would not be able to claim means tested benefits such as JSA between jobs.

What sort of person does not own suitable clothing in the first place? The extra cost of dry cleaning over washing - that's a bother but just one of the many costs of employment (travel, lunches, haircuts, toothpaste.)

I have clothes that are more than suitable for the role, it's whether they'd deem it suitable or not (they most likely will, but I merely wanted to be prepared for if they weren't as the people I've spoken to have not been definite on the matter). I do not wear suits so I do not own suits.

DKLS

The only time I have ever claimed for clothing was when I flew to Milan and my case went to New York and I need to be suited and booted for meetings so my boss authorised me sticking an outfit on expenses sadly with a limit.

On a practical note check out supermarkets, outlet stores and second hand shops there is no need to spend a fortune, think of it as a small investment in your career.

callum9999

DKLS wrote: »

The only time I have ever claimed for clothing was when I flew to Milan and my case went to New York and I need to be suited and booted for meetings so my boss authorised me sticking an outfit on expenses sadly with a limit.

On a practical note check out supermarkets, outlet stores and second hand shops there is no need to spend a fortune, think of it as a small investment in your career.

Thanks, if I end up needing it then that's what I'll do but considering I have no intention of building a career that involves me wearing a suit, I'd rather avoid it if possible. I applied for Christmas temp jobs because I need the money, so I'd prefer not to lose 10% of the wages I'd earn investing in a suit!

gingerdad

with an attiude like that i think you'll be minimum wage jobs all the way.

most employers insist on a dress code.

callum9999

gingerdad wrote: »

with an attiude like that i think you'll be minimum wage jobs all the way.

most employers insist on a dress code.

And I think you don't have a clue what you're talking about...

I won't be applying to "most employers". The field I will be entering (science) is not particularly formal and it's incredibly unlikely that I will need a suit. You may have noticed one of the scientists being interviewed about the comet lander wearing a shirt covered in cartoons of naked women...

DKLS

callum9999 wrote: »

Thanks, if I end up needing it then that's what I'll do but considering I have no intention of building a career that involves me wearing a suit, I'd rather avoid it if possible. I applied for Christmas temp jobs because I need the money, so I'd prefer not to lose 10% of the wages I'd earn investing in a suit!

Good thing about suits is that they are multi-purpose, weddings, funerals, christenings, formal events, special dates etc so even if its not going to be worn often you can get a decent return on your investment

I have worked in a number of environments where formal suits aren't required day to day, but they are for interviews and apart from a few specific roles I would always expect to see a candidate in a suit.

callum9999

DKLS wrote: »

Good thing about suits is that they are multi-purpose, weddings, funerals, christenings, formal events, special dates etc so even if its not going to be worn often you can get a decent return on your investment

I have worked in a number of environments where formal suits aren't required day to day, but they are for interviews and apart from a few specific roles I would always expect to see a candidate in a suit.

And if I need one for any of those scenarios I will get it...

I don't wear suits now so I don't want to buy one now. I don't see what the big fascination with my dressing style is...

getmore4less

callum9999 wrote: »

And I think you don't have a clue what you're talking about...

I won't be applying to "most employers". The field I will be entering (science) is not particularly formal and it's incredibly unlikely that I will need a suit. You may have noticed one of the scientists being interviewed about the comet lander wearing a shirt covered in cartoons of naked women...

There is a big difference between people that have "made it" and working on a 15 year project and those starting out.

There is a fine line at the edges of dress codes in all industries of what is acceptable at various times.

For a temp Xmas job it will be clear what is acceptable just by looking at what the others are wearing look for the scruffiest two and dress better than them.

getmore4less

Irony in action......

just caught up on the news.

The shirt guy was brought in to give a better public face to the project.

and has given tearful apology for getting it wrong.