Unclean work jackets Unhealthy practice.

Marcon

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82183533#Comment_82183533

If that's the case, then he's got much more clout if colleagues are saying the same thing. I suggest he ropes them in on the complaint to ensure he isn't isolated and seen as a lone troublemaker.

Absolutely nothing wrong with the smell of stables!

LightFlare

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82182735#Comment_82182735

this is the avenue to take

Even if he isnt in a union, the site will be covered by at least one H+S person

Brie

Might be worthwhile mentioning to management at some point that it makes the store look bad to the public if the coats give off a strong whiff that customers might smell. Or if they look extra ratty.

Jude57

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82183524#Comment_82183524

My ex-husband was a civil engineer and I, for a few years, worked in a Council's technical department alongside surveyors, architects, planners, engineers. Everyone had their own, issued PPE including Hi-Vis jackets, the ones with the quilted, padded lining. They certainly were washable and my husband's, worn on site pretty much every day of the year aside from full Summer, was washed frequently. My own jacket wasn't worn that often but still got washed every couple of months, as much to refresh it as anything because it never got dirty hanging up beside my desk! Of course, the ones worn by anyone doing a physically demanding job are likely to have marks on the exterior of the jacket that no amount of washing will remove so they might look grubby but as long as the jacket can be washed or dry cleaned, it should be washed or dry cleaned.

I agree that this is an issue for the Union H&S officer to take up. I can understand why employees who don't necessarily need to wear the jackets all day, every day for their various duties wouldn't need their own jacket and that's possibly the employer's stance but in that case, the 'pool' jackets should be cleaned regularly and stored appropriately to prevent musty smells building up in the fabric.

Bob2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82184120#Comment_82184120

He's actually said to the manager that he's overhead people mentioning the stench when walking past them. I hate the fact that where he works, customers are thinking he's dirty when it is no fault of his own. He's a good lad, and only wants a bit of dignity.

Way of the world l guess.

Bob2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82184221#Comment_82184221

I sadly think this issues isn't just dirty jackets but the management treating the staff like ****. You and your ex sound like higher up the social ladder workwise so that gave you a voice and respect in the work place. You were amongst equals.

The jackets look dirty but should be clean inside out of respect for the wearer. I wonder if the store manager would wear it for half hour while dealing with his customers. I think not.

The bottom line is they don't care.

Jude57

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82184308#Comment_82184308

I understand your point about the place a person has in a hierarchy. In fact, at that time, neither of us were much above mid-level, neither of us were management. However, most importantly, my now ex-husband was the Branch Chair of the Union branch and I was the Branch Equalities Officer so we were both in a position to have done something about a situation such as the one you describe.

This is why I and most other posters here are recommending asking the Union to take this issue on. I agree with you that it's as much a dignity at work issue as a H&S one and I hope that the Union H&S rep sees it as such. Customers noticing the smell might wish to complain directly to the duty store manager at the time. I wouldn't recommend that staff 'encourage' such customer complaints…

If, however, the Branch officials don't step in for some reason (and remember, they are employees, too, who volunteer for the Union role and while many are well-trained and effective, many aren't confident about confronting their management in case they put a target in their own backs) then it would be time to take it to Regional Union Office level.

I hope that there's a sensible discussion between Union and management and a reasonable outcome for the affected staff.

Bob2000

@Jude57 Thank you for the sensible reply. I appreciate it.