Been charged for work uniform!?

rg412

Hi,

I'm 22 years old I worked at a metalworks factory from December 2016 to June 2017. I received my last 2 pay slips this week and have noticed they have deducted £27.20 for each top given to me ( 2 tops).

I'd like to point out that I had to wear my own work clothes up until July 2017 as the company still hadn't provided me with any. When June came around our polo shirts arrived but apparently because I'm so tall they couldn't find any trousers or work boots that would fit me.. :rotfl:
I'm 6ft 7 not 10 ft 7.... I fit into 34w trousers and size 13 work boots so I don't know if they were just fobbing me off. I stated I can get the trousers and work boots if they pay for them. This was all agreed upon. I bought new trousers and work boots and received no money for them.

When I handed my notice in the only question asked about uniform is "are you bringing the tops back?" to which I replied "do I have too if work provided them for ME?" the office manager replied"no you can do what you want with them, they are yours and they're covered in oil so are no good to anyone".

All was good until I received my pay slips. It's not about the money its about the principle and how they have treated the matter.

I'm not too fussed about buying the trousers and work boots out of my own money because I use them at my new job but for the shirts I don't think it's acceptable when they are given to an employee and then charged for when they leave?

I also handed my notice in because my CEO said some very deep nasty words about my nephew who has just had life threatening surgery, so I lost all respect for them and this has just annoyed me even more.

Is there anything I can do about this or do I just have to settle with being charged for two shirts that I'd never agreed to pay for upon leaving?

Any help is appreciated! Thank you.

General_Grant

If you didn't agree in writing then I don't they they are legally entitled to charge you.

Write and ask them to pay you back.

lj876

Did you try giving the tops back even though they're a bit worn? It might be procedural, if they don't get the items back they may charge you by default. Do you have a copy of your contract?

rg412

Thanks for the replies.

@General grant - I never agreed in writing or cant recall any conversation which stated I had to pay for the uniform if I left.

@lj786 - I didn't try giving them the tops back as they told me they were covered in oil and were no use to anyone. I do have a copy of my contract but its over at my girlfriends house, I'll get it tomorrow and run it by you guys.

Thanks again.

sangie595

I agree, you need to check your contract- although this may be covered in policy, which would be applicable. After all, they did ask for them back in the first place, so you asking if you had to give them back could be interpreted as you wanting them. In which case, charging you for them is not uncommon.

Sncjw

I've seen a sign on a bus from
Hmrc saying is work wear deducted from your wages, if so you could be underpaid. It's saying if it's deducted you could be getting under the minimum wage

sangie595

Sncjw wrote: »

I've seen a sign on a bus from
Hmrc saying is work wear deducted from your wages, if so you could be underpaid. It's saying if it's deducted you could be getting under the minimum wage

That applies to people paying weekly for their working clothes (fashion shops do this often). In this case it is clothes that the employer is taking the view that the person is leaving and said they would keep the clothes. Slight but important difference. They are taking the view that the clothes can be kept for other uses, not just for work. I doubt it's true, but that the view taken, so technically a charge can be levied if you want to keep work issue clothes. Also, deductions from a final wage are treated differently and can take people below the living wage.

xbrenx

Maybe what they meant to say was

"Are you bringing the tops back, if not you'll have to pay for them."

My previous job had a uniform that had to be given back upon leaving even though it was worn, it wouldn't have been dirty though. They threatened not to pay last wage until it was returned but I don't know if they ever followed through with that.

In your shoes, as they didn't actually tell you that you'd have to pay, try writing to them outlining their *mistake*.

Geoff1963

I replied "do I have too if work provided them for ME?"

Probably a mistake to ask that ; but they should accept them back in any sate, if the damage was work-related.