Uniforms

[Nebulous]

Do you think it's fair for employers to mandate uniforms if their employees have to pay for them? Why or why to?

Do you like wearing a uniform?

 

[Oblivion Knight]

If they have to pay for them... not really, although when I used to work in the NHS I'd generally buy my own shirts and trousers as it was just easier. Uniform should certainly be offered without cost if it's required as part of the role though. Arguably now more than ever!

I don't mind wearing a uniform, I've come to realise that doing so makes my own smart clothes more appealing to wear.

 

[jamesyfx]

In the UK there is a way for employees to get SOME money back for uniform care (and tools if you need to buy them to do your job), via a tax relief which you need to apply for. You can get it backdated 4 years as well if you've never done it. It's basically classed as expenses.

But I've never paid for a uniform. My employer actually provides shirts, coats, hats, trousers, shoes, gloves and PPE for free for all colleagues. I just order shirts for myself, the other stuff.. I like comfort. So I buy my own nice jeans and comfy trainers.

 

[apathy]

Only really worked with my Dad before so I've no idea what the suss is with uniforms & other jobs but that actually sounds shite expecting you to pay if its mandated. Maybe asking to put down a deposit in case you wreck them is fair but outright paying is a bit eh...

 

[Uncrowned Guard]

I've always been pretty middle‑of‑the‑road on uniforms; they make sense in jobs where customers genuinely need to identify staff, like grocery stores or anything customer‑facing. But for office workers who only interact with each other, it feels unnecessary.

Where I draw a hard line is when companies require branded uniforms and then expect employees to pay for them. That's where it stops being "dress code" and starts being "you're paying to advertise for us." If a company wants its logo on your shirt, that's their cost, not yours. Even the folks here who don't mind uniforms agree they should be provided at no charge if they're mandatory.

Saying "wear black pants" or "business casual" is one thing; that's just a standard appearance guideline. But forcing people to buy specific branded shirts, hats, or other logo gear is absolutely not something I'd support. If it's required for the role, the employer should be footing the bill, full stop.

The same goes for PPE; if you need it to perform the job, the employer should be buying it. If you want better gear or custom PPE, that is on you, but the employer should always provide the basic set.