Uniform Costs and the Minimum Wage

theoretica

callum9999 wrote: »

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...

Speaking with my scientist hat on I certainly do wear a suit, and see others do so too. Not that often at the lower levels, but sometimes when facing a grant giving panel or trying to talk money or collaboration out of industry it seems a good idea.

callum9999

getmore4less wrote: »

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.

I think the tearful apology was because of the abuse he got, not because he felt he "got it wrong"!

theoretica wrote: »

Speaking with my scientist hat on I certainly do wear a suit, and see others do so too. Not that often at the lower levels, but sometimes when facing a grant giving panel or trying to talk money or collaboration out of industry it seems a good idea.

Of course it does, but I do not envisage that being me, nor do I think buying a suit now and carting it around with me just incase I might want to wear it in 5+ years time.

The crux of my argument is that this is my life and only I know what I will be doing. I do not want a suit and I do not need a suit. If in the future I need a suit then I will get a suit. I really do not understand this apparent obsession several of you have over me getting one!

(That comes across more of a rant than I intended - I promise I'm not angry with you, just bemused!)

theoretica

callum9999 wrote: »

The crux of my argument is that this is my life and only I know what I will be doing. I do not want a suit and I do not need a suit. If in the future I need a suit then I will get a suit. I really do not understand this apparent obsession several of you have over me getting one!

I think we are equally bemused by your resistance to getting a bit of clothing. This may be a time you need a suit. Another thing you don't seem to realise is that you sound like one of the people who will need to practice wearing a suit. No seriously. Walking past the city court, or at weddings, formal dinners or waiting for job interviews I see people whose body language screams out 'what is this strange thing I am wearing', whether this is someone wearing a suit for the first time or a long dress. This counteracts the impression they are trying to make. Learn to feel comfortable and 'you' whatever you are wearing and break away from identifying yourself so strongly with your clothing that you feel wrong if you wear something else. And if you get a suit, don't cart it around unworn for five years, but wear it occasionally, even if you don't really really need to.

gallifreyseven

theoretica wrote: »

one of the people who will need to practice wearing a suit.

Never mind that, some of us need help full stop. A couple of days ago I managed to spill milk on my trousers and nearly drove to work without realising!

callum9999

theoretica wrote: »

I think we are equally bemused by your resistance to getting a bit of clothing. This may be a time you need a suit. Another thing you don't seem to realise is that you sound like one of the people who will need to practice wearing a suit. No seriously. Walking past the city court, or at weddings, formal dinners or waiting for job interviews I see people whose body language screams out 'what is this strange thing I am wearing', whether this is someone wearing a suit for the first time or a long dress. This counteracts the impression they are trying to make. Learn to feel comfortable and 'you' whatever you are wearing and break away from identifying yourself so strongly with your clothing that you feel wrong if you wear something else. And if you get a suit, don't cart it around unworn for five years, but wear it occasionally, even if you don't really really need to.

I have zero resistance to getting a piece of clothing, I am resisting PAYING for a piece of clothing I do not want (maybe you have money to throw around, I do not - hence why I use this site in the first place!), and do not currently (as I've already said, if I DO need it then I will get it) need. It's not even about the suit, I would react exactly the same way to ASDA or Tesco requiring me to pay for my uniform.

And thank you for your concern, but I'm perfectly capable of wearing a suit... I spent 5 years at school wearing one, though must admit have absolutely no idea what you're talking about! Maybe it's just because I'm used to it, but I can't imagine how "what is this strange thing I'm wearing!" comes out in body language! (Unless you mean they look physically uncomfortable - as in constantly readjusting their clothes etc?)

stevemLS

You DO need a bloody suit, either that or don't take the job and get your benefits sanctioned.

callum9999

stevemLS wrote: »

You DO need a bloody suit, either that or don't take the job and get your benefits sanctioned.

Thank you for that clarification, I was unaware you were my boss.

I'm not on benefits, nor would I be if I turn down this job (1. I'm not eligible for benefits, 2. I have a job offer elsewhere), so you can put your mind at rest.

gingerdad

callum9999 wrote: »

Thank you for that clarification, I was unaware you were my boss.

I'm not on benefits, nor would I be if I turn down this job (1. I'm not eligible for benefits, 2. I have a job offer elsewhere), so you can put your mind at rest.

good luck, i'm sure no one in you field of work would ever go to an interview in a suit.

you do seem to be a true waste of fresh air...

take the job and buy a suit or don't - 20 quid in a charity shop and you're sorted.

callum9999

gingerdad wrote: »

good luck, i'm sure no one in you field of work would ever go to an interview in a suit.

you do seem to be a true waste of fresh air...

take the job and buy a suit or don't - 20 quid in a charity shop and you're sorted.

You're pathetic. Because my preference is to not buy a suit if I don't need to I'm therefore a "waste of fresh air". Get a grip...

And I'm not even going to bother to continue to respond to the whinging about how I should buy a suit now as I may need one in 5 years time when I'm interviewing for jobs on the opposite side of the world in 30 degree+ temperatures.

JReacher1

As a matter of interest whats you're other job offer?

The one you've mentioned here seems pretty bad e.g. only 6 weeks on minimum wage and you have to buy a suit.

Unless the other job is something really bad it would probably be sensible to take that one.

I can see why you are reluctant to buy a suit if you've never going to use it again. The only thing I would disagree with is that it's not a uniform. There is a difference between a work's uniform and a works dresscode. Therefore I don't think the employer is breaking any legislation if they lend you money for a suit (and take the money out of your salary), and the repayment take your salary below minimum wage