Introduction of uniform not in contract

annabelle79

When a business decides to introduce a uniform that was never part of a contract previously, does the employee by law have to wear uniform.
ie. If threatened with sacking or reduction of hours for non purchase of uniform, would the employee have any right to claim unfair dismissal.

goz83

How interesting. While I don't have the answer in law, I am pretty sure that they can't introduce a uniform AND expext you to pay for it, unless it's in the contract.

I have personally gone through this in 2008. I worked for a tile and bathroom store, having taken a signicant pay cut and loss of benefits by leaving a previous position, to suit myself with a location position. The attire was "dress smart". I had accumulated a number of expensive suits and I wore those to work. When the area manager was promoted, she was not replaced and the store managers in both locations were given more powers. They wanted to bring in a uniform. A cheap, black slacks and white shirt uniform. I said, "ok, as long as it's supplied, i will wear it". I put my foot down on the issue. It was not in my contract and if I were to dress down, I wasn't going to be footing the bill.

To cut it short, I was dismissed. The company orchestrated that a mystery shopper had given me a bad report. This was all untrue, because (blow my own trumpet) I was excellent at dealing with the public. I was there 6 months. I took them to the Labour Court where it transpired that the mystery shopper report was false. I suspect that the manager was afraid he would lose his position to me, so told a bunch of lies to the MD. Serves them right. The shop closed, due to poor sales only months later.

I hope this helps you OP.

annabelle79

goz83 wrote: »

How interesting. While I don't have the answer in law, I am pretty sure that they can't introduce a uniform AND expext you to pay for it, unless it's in the contract.

I have personally gone through this in 2008. I worked for a tile and bathroom store, having taken a signicant pay cut and loss of benefits by leaving a previous position, to suit myself with a location position. The attire was "dress smart". I had accumulated a number of expensive suits and I wore those to work. When the area manager was promoted, she was not replaced and the store managers in both locations were given more powers. They wanted to bring in a uniform. A cheap, black slacks and white shirt uniform. I said, "ok, as long as it's supplied, i will wear it". I put my foot down on the issue. It was not in my contract and if I were to dress down, I wasn't going to be footing the bill.

To cut it short, I was dismissed. The company orchestrated that a mystery shopper had given me a bad report. This was all untrue, because (blow my own trumpet) I was excellent at dealing with the public. I was there 6 months. I took them to the Labour Court where it transpired that the mystery shopper report was false. I suspect that the manager was afraid he would lose his position to me, so told a bunch of lies to the MD. Serves them right. The shop closed, due to poor sales only months later.

I hope this helps you OP.

Thanks goz
Yes that sounds similar, uniform is not pleasant and wardrobe for job is established already, making this a very expensive change to a job that doesn't bring in a significant income.

Can I ask if you won your labour court hearing and if it was worthwhile?

Little CuChulainn

goz83 wrote: »

How interesting. While I don't have the answer in law, I am pretty sure that they can't introduce a uniform AND expext you to pay for it, unless it's in the contract.

I have personally gone through this in 2008. I worked for a tile and bathroom store, having taken a signicant pay cut and loss of benefits by leaving a previous position, to suit myself with a location position. The attire was "dress smart". I had accumulated a number of expensive suits and I wore those to work. When the area manager was promoted, she was not replaced and the store managers in both locations were given more powers. They wanted to bring in a uniform. A cheap, black slacks and white shirt uniform. I said, "ok, as long as it's supplied, i will wear it". I put my foot down on the issue. It was not in my contract and if I were to dress down, I wasn't going to be footing the bill.

To cut it short, I was dismissed. The company orchestrated that a mystery shopper had given me a bad report. This was all untrue, because (blow my own trumpet) I was excellent at dealing with the public. I was there 6 months. I took them to the Labour Court where it transpired that the mystery shopper report was false. I suspect that the manager was afraid he would lose his position to me, so told a bunch of lies to the MD. Serves them right. The shop closed, due to poor sales only months later.

I hope this helps you OP.

*Your experience may differ*

goz83

annabelle79 wrote: »

Thanks goz
Yes that sounds similar, uniform is not pleasant and wardrobe for job is established already, making this a very expensive change to a job that doesn't bring in a significant income.

Can I ask if you won your labour court hearing and if it was worthwhile?

Yes, I did win. It was quite obvious that the company were lying and that I was unfairly dismissed. As I was only with the company 6 months, the financial settlement was not enforceable. You must be employed by a company at least one year for this to be enforceable if you ended up going down that road.

I knew I would see no financial gain by going down the LC route, but my name was cleared and the company have a black mark against them on the LC website for all to see.

It might be best to engage your employer directly about this. Perhaps others feel as you do?

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

*Your experience may differ*

I have no doubt that my experience will differ in many ways to the op. But, if there is nothing about a uniform in the contract, the OP cannot be expected to goot the bill for changes being made in that regard.