Work and uniform rights, company is ripping staff off!

eswift8

Hi,
I apologise if I am posting in the wrong place, but I would love some advice as it isn't very clear from any searches I've made.

My partner works for a big car dealership with many branches across the country. A couple of months ago they announced they were changing sales executives job titles to product consultants and would be introducing a uniform. Prior to a uniform staff provided their own suits which wasn't an issue as they could be used at any other company within the industry.

The uniform they're asking them to wear is a shirt, a jacket, coat, black trousers & smart shoes. The shirt, jacket & coat are all branded with the company logo & job title and the staff are limited to 3 shirts per year, 1 jacket each year and a coat every 2 years. The trousers and shoes are to be provided by the employee.
I hope you're still following! The problem with all this is, every memeber of staff is being charged £15.... per month for as long as they are employed with the company. Now I feel a charge is unreasonable in the first place as the shirts, coat and jacket could not be used anywhere else & the other half of the uniform staff are providing themselves, but to charge each month has to be illegal! I understand they are being payed commission based, but no one has agreed to a contract change nor has anyone signed one. Where do my partners and the rest of the employees within the company stand? They're making so much money out it!

xapprenticex

B.S.M?



I wouldnt be happy either, if your partner has been there under two years, then it may be best he look for another job as they can get rid of him if he doesnt play ball.



If he has been there over 2 years, im not really sure what he can do beyond go along with it.



They manage payroll so its not like he can stop them, its not illegal though.

Ozzuk

3 shirts - how many days a week does he work?? That's a lot of washing and it won't last. And the charge...I think if possible I'd be looking to leave.

ReadingTim

I don't think it's illegal to make staff pay for their own uniform, but for context, over 2 years, staff will have paid £360 for 6 shirts, 2 jackets and one coat. I appreciate the stuff won't exactly be Savile Row tailoring, but £360 is probably not too far from cost price for the kit, so they're hardly making "so much money" are they?

Ryanair staff have to pay for their own uniform, as mentioned here, so the figure you mention isn't too divorced from reality.

Suspect ultimately though, the choice will be accept the charge or find another job.