Uniform Question?

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 1:36pm #1

So I left a job recently. After I handed in my notice my manager was annoyed and did some minor things as punishment like making me work late Christmas eve when nobody else was working and taking away my Christmas bonus. So I started my new job this week, he's emailed me asking for my uniform back. This is the 1st mention of returning it since I handed in my notice (over 3 weeks ago). The uniform is a tailored suit. The emailed request for the return of the uniform was blunt, like much of his communication with me post notice. What kind of obligation am I under to give it back? I'm not sure it's mentioned in my contract with them.

03-01-2020 1:38pm

Did you pay for the uniform? And why would you want to keep a work uniform?

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 1:48pm

Dav010 wrote: »

Did you pay for the uniform? And why would you want to keep a work uniform?

I didn't, but it's not mentioned anywhere in my contract from what I can see.

It's a suit. And they've been pretty hostile with me so I'm just seeing if I'm under any legal requirements to return it.

hairyprincess · 03-01-2020 1:49pm

Stuff it into a crappy plastic bag and drop it in at your convenience. Once you have done that, move on.

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 1:59pm

hairyprincess wrote: »

Stuff it into a crappy plastic bag and drop it in at your convenience. Once you have done that, move on.

In the end I probably will do that, I'm just curious if I'm required to do that. Keeping in mind I was only in the job a couple of months, that I don't need them as a reference moving forward and because they've been not so nice with me since I told them I was leaving.

Mrs OBumble · 03-01-2020 2:09pm

You want to keep something you didn't pay for? Doing that makes you a thief.

The manager us rightly annoyed at even having to ask you for it.

GBX · 03-01-2020 2:12pm

If they fully paid for it, they own it. If you paid any part of it - deduction out of wages ask for a refund. Otherwise, id drop it in or see if they want to collect it from you.

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 2:12pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

You want to keep something you didn't pay for? Doing that makes you a thief.

The manager us rightly annoyed at even having to ask you for it.

Thanks but I'm more interested in if I'd be a thief legally, not morally.

jippo nolan · 03-01-2020 2:12pm

hairyprincess wrote: »

Stuff it into a crappy plastic bag and drop it in at your convenience. Once you have done that, move on.

Or maybe sleep in it for a couple of weeks!

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 2:13pm

jippo nolan wrote: »

Or maybe sleep in it for a couple of weeks!

My pyjamas will have never been more classy!

Mrs OBumble · 03-01-2020 2:15pm

LineOfBeauty wrote: »

Thanks but I'm more interested in if I'd be a thief legally, not morally.

Legally .. you never paid for it. It was issued to you for working in. This is soooooo clear cut.

hairyprincess · 03-01-2020 2:15pm

LineOfBeauty wrote: »

In the end I probably will do that, I'm just curious if I'm required to do that. Keeping in mind I was only in the job a couple of months, that I don't need them as a reference moving forward and because they've been not so nice with me since I told them I was leaving.

Never mind the legalities and requirements. Life is too short to be making enemies of people you may meet again in a professional capacity. Be the bigger person here and hold your head up high knowing you did everything right.

endofrainbow · 03-01-2020 2:19pm

have you got your P45 from your old employer yet ?

Johnny Sausage · 03-01-2020 2:23pm

endofrainbow wrote: »

have you got your P45 from your old employer yet ?

Don't think they issue them anymore

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 2:23pm

endofrainbow wrote: »

have you got your P45 from your old employer yet ?

I haven't yet though I didn't think the P45 was still a thing issued to the employee.

sadie1502 · 03-01-2020 2:27pm

Why do you want to hold onto it?

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 2:29pm

sadie1502 wrote: »

Why do you want to hold onto it?

It's not even so much that I want to hold onto it, just that the previous employer has been pretty hostile.

sadie1502 · 03-01-2020 2:31pm

LineOfBeauty wrote: »

It's not even so much that I want to hold onto it, just that the previous employer has been pretty hostile.

I Dunno if it was me I'd give it back why bring the hassle on yourself. Let them have it. They are bitter give them back their property and move on.

tayto lover · 03-01-2020 2:35pm

Just sit on some chocolate first while wearing it before sending it back.

tomwaits48 · 03-01-2020 2:35pm

Stop being petty, return the suit.

Del2005 · 03-01-2020 2:37pm

LineOfBeauty wrote: »

In the end I probably will do that, I'm just curious if I'm required to do that. Keeping in mind I was only in the job a couple of months, that I don't need them as a reference moving forward and because they've been not so nice with me since I told them I was leaving.

Ireland is a small country and burning bridges is never a good idea. Return THEIR suit to them as they have asked for it to be returned, I assume that they could report it stolen if you don't return it as its their suit they provided you to while working for them.

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 2:38pm

One of the shirts is already covered in hair post haircut, slightly disappointed I didn't get more haircuts with the suit on.

Edit: I might get another haircut this weekend while conveniently wearing the suit again.

tomwaits48 · 03-01-2020 2:41pm

also, replace "suit" with any other possible work provided item...."laptop"...."phone"....even car...would you seek to keep them also?

GBX · 03-01-2020 2:42pm

Starting to come across as quite petty now. Just return it.

delta_bravo · 03-01-2020 2:43pm

Well think of it this way, say you got a laptop for work. You don't pay for it. Your work contract I'm sure doesn't mention the laptop but if you left the job you will not be allowed or expected to bring that laptop with you. If you haven't paid for the suit the same applies here. It is company property.

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 2:46pm

GBX wrote: »

Starting to come across as quite petty now. Just return it.

Oh I am. Though taking away bonuses a couple of days before Christmas, talking to other employees about me behind my back, silly worktimes ect. is petty too and I haven't complained about any of it, did the work and all that. So I don't feel unjust.

Dravokivich · 03-01-2020 2:48pm

I'd find it odd someone would expect clothes to be returned. OP even said it was tailored. So it's been cut to fit them.

Johnny Sausage · 03-01-2020 2:49pm

A Christmas bonus being rescinded for an employee who was only there a short while but leaving shortly after Christmas isn't out of the ordinary

And there is probably more to the story than you're letting on

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 2:52pm

Dravokivich wrote: »

I'd find it odd someone would expect clothes to be returned. OP even said it was tailored. So it's been cut to fit them.

Oh it's purely out of spite. Unless they find a new employee with my exact dimensions (or at least very similar).

SusieBlue · 03-01-2020 2:52pm

Grow up & return it, you're burning bridges and being petty for no good reason. Even if they didn't treat you well, don't lower your own personal standards just to get back at them.
You have a lot more to lose than gain by doing this. Reputation is everything.

B.A._Baracus · 03-01-2020 2:55pm

As you told them you were leaving you were always gonna get stung and be the one working late Christmas Eve. Fair enough to that. Why let someone else who's gonna be sticking around get stuck with it. Cool like.

As for not getting the Christmas bonus? that's being shafted. Am sure whoever in the company could argue well why give it to you... they're going! yadda yadda. But they can't expect you to give back the uniform asap or even at all (lets be honest) after shafting you with that.

It's not petty as others have said. It's life. Despite what people may say about having character, morals, etc. It really is a game of tit-for-tat when it comes down to it. Especially when money is involved.

So say to them you'll give it back when you get your christmas bonus. Which you know your answer. That said don't go looking for a reference or anything from them again.

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 2:59pm

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

As you told them you were leaving you were always gonna get stung and be the one working late Christmas Eve. Fair enough to that. Why let someone else who's gonna be sticking around get stuck with it. Cool like.

As for not getting the Christmas bonus? that's being shafted. Am sure whoever in the company could argue well why give it to you... they're going! yadda yadda. But they can't expect you to give back the uniform asap or even at all (lets be honest) after shafting you with that.

It's not petty as others have said. It's life. Despite what people may say about having character, morals, etc. It really is a game of tit-for-tat when it comes down to it. Especially when money is involved.

So say to them you'll give it back when you get your christmas bonus. Which you know your answer. That said don't go looking for a reference or anything from them again.

I like that! I'm tempted to withold the suit until I get payment for a couple of holiday days that they owe me. I'm not totally sure that they are going to pay me what's owed there and if I give back the suit the leverage I have there is gone. Possibly worth waiting until that is paid to give it back.

Mrs OBumble · 03-01-2020 3:18pm

Dravokivich wrote: »

I'd find it odd someone would expect clothes to be returned. OP even said it was tailored. So it's been cut to fit them.

That's not what tailored means.

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 3:22pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

That's not what tailored means.

That's my bad. It was cut to fit.

Eggs For Dinner · 03-01-2020 3:24pm

Synopsis:

Petty employee no longer works for petty employer and now seeks approval from internet to maintain prettiness

mrslancaster · 03-01-2020 3:29pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

That's not what tailored means.

I always thought it meant cut and/or adjusted to fit the person. what does it mean?

Emmersonn · 03-01-2020 3:32pm

Contact the manager and let him know that the suit can be collected from you at a time suitable to both of you and that you will require a dated and signed receipt at time of collection.

marko99 · 03-01-2020 3:43pm

endofrainbow wrote:

have you got your P45 from your old employer yet ?

P45s haven't existed for over a year!

Tomw86 · 03-01-2020 3:48pm

I wouldn't go down the route of saying ''You're not getting the suit back until I get my holiday pay'' or anything along those lines - but I would say to them that when you are paid your holiday days owed that you will drop in the suit to them and pick up your final payslip showing the holiday days payment.

That way you are putting the onus on them to sort it out.

In relation to the bonus - if you are on your notice period when the bonus is announced or issued, it is standard practice that would not receive it.
I have worked in several companies where the previous years bonus would be issue in February via a meeting with Management. If you had handed in your notice prior to this you are not eligible despite the fact you had worked there during the previous year to which the bonus relates. It may not be fair but its not illegal.

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 3:51pm

Tomw86 wrote: »

I wouldn't go down the route of saying ''You're not getting the suit back until I get my holiday pay'' or anything along those lines - but I would say to them that when you are paid your holiday days owed that you will drop in the suit to them and pick up your final payslip showing the holiday days payment.

That way you are putting the onus on them to sort it out.

In relation to the bonus - if you are on your notice period when the bonus is announced or issued, it is standard practice that would not receive it.
I have worked in several companies where the previous years bonus would be issue in February via a meeting with Management. If you had handed in your notice prior to this you are not eligible despite the fact you had worked there during the previous year to which the bonus relates. It may not be fair but its not illegal.

Oh ye I know it's not illegal, it just seems like a super petty thing to do. I know a bonus is not guaranteed, it's given at the company's discretion and it relates to work done, not work that will be done.

Cienciano · 03-01-2020 3:56pm

Tell them you left the clothes in work on your last day. It's their problem now.

loyatemu · 03-01-2020 3:56pm

you were only there a couple of months, why all the aggro? Who gets a bonus after a couple of months work?
Give them back the suit and forget about it.

Tomw86 · 03-01-2020 3:56pm

LineOfBeauty wrote: »

Oh ye I know it's not illegal, it just seems like a super petty thing to do. I know a bonus is not guaranteed, it's given at the company's discretion and it relates to work done, not work that will be done.

Had they confirmed the amount of the bonus and when it would be paid before you handed in your notice?

It is very petty and that is why I would not hand back the suit until you are fully paid up including holidays by them.

dave1982 · 03-01-2020 3:58pm

What are they gonna do with suit if and when you return it. Don't think they'd hand out a 2nd uniform to someone else surely.

Better off giving it back but I wouldn't be taking time outta my day to drop it off to them. Tell them send courier out or get them to collect from you themselves

wonski · 03-01-2020 4:02pm

marko99 wrote: »

P45s haven't existed for over a year!

They do exist.

As the p60 do.

They are not handed in.

Give back the suit and move on, op.

No, they are not going to report it stolen or anything like that. But give it back regardless and be done with it.

Edit: When I said they exist I meant they are still out there, just under different name.

They do confirm your employment ceased. For tax purposes. Doesn't mean your liability regarding tools not returned etc ceased.

B.A._Baracus · 03-01-2020 4:13pm

Op, Just out of curiousity how long were you actually working for them?
It wasn't a Christmas temp was it?

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 4:17pm

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

Op, Just out of curiousity how long were you actually working for them?
It wasn't a Christmas temp was it?

Nope! Was with them for a couple of months, more or less got the job because the manager worked in a place I worked in and had heard good things about me, the job was going grand but basically I was poached for a new job. Better benefits and all that so I accepted the offer.

TheAnalyst_ · 03-01-2020 4:29pm

Everyone completely missing the point here.

You've been ****ed about and now you want' fire back a bit. Its petty but its also very satisfying and you shoud absolutely induldge in it. ignore the doormats here who will bend over backwards to be ****ed their whole lives. You only care about the legalities of it.

Its a civil matter so no criminality involved. THey have zero legal recourse and even if they did the best they could hope for is to get the uniform returned.

String them along for the remaining money and then bin the uniform. **** me? Then **** you.

TheAnalyst_ · 03-01-2020 4:30pm

wonski wrote: »

Give back the suit and move on, op.

No, they are not going to report it stolen or anything like that. But give it back regardless and be done with it.

.

Why?

LineOfBeauty · 03-01-2020 4:39pm

TheAnalyst_ wrote: »

Everyone completely missing the point here.

You've been ****ed about and now you want' fire back a bit. Its petty but its also very satisfying and you shoud absolutely induldge in it. ignore the doormats here who will bend over backwards to be ****ed their whole lives. You only care about the legalities of it.

Its a civil matter so no criminality involved. THey have zero legal recourse and even if they did the best they could hope for is to get the uniform returned.

String them along for the remaining money and then bin the uniform. **** me? Then **** you.

It is the legalities I was after. I'm not sure how much recourse they have, and at the very least I'm keeping the suit until I am paid what I'm owed!

Sam Quentin · 03-01-2020 4:40pm

Don't you think you should appreciate that they give you a job in the first place!?

Uniform Question?

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