Is it normal my employer adopted a new dress code and is making us...

42% Normal
10 Comments

I've been working at this retailer for 1 year and they had a different dress code that was wear a blue shirt and any black pants or shoes. So over the course of a year, I bought up 9 or 10 blue shirts and just wore my regular black pants that I already had. They never paid for this, this was out of my pocket but that didn't bother me much.

Now they recently changed the dress code to be wear THEIR blue shirt that they will provide us with and we have to buy dress pants, a white belt and dress shoes. I am completely broke because all my money is going directly to doctors to help me from a health condition I am suffering from. I am actually in debt about $400 as I owe some medical bills/still have loads of doctors visits in the next few days/weeks, etc.

They expect me to purchase dress pants, a belt and dress shoes?? One of my other coworkers was furious as well because she worked there three years and is in debt even worse than me. I only have $200 in the bank and that's going to my next two doctors appointments later this week. I live paycheck to paycheck and my next paycheck will go to my phone bill.

We both asked the manager if they give us a uniform allowance as they do that in many other places and they said no. We then asked what would happen if we don't wear the black dress pants , belt or dress shoes and he said we'd be fired within a week. He said we have a week to get them as of yesterday or he will have to report us for disorderly conduct and corporate would have him fire us this month.

Is this normal/legal?

Voting Results
42% Normal
Based on 31 votes (13 yes)
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Comments ( 10 )
  • animaguskid
    9 years ago

    I would suggest checking out some thrift stores. Goodwill actually has some decent stuff if you have one in your area. I don't know that this is really legal and you could possibly sue the company if you are fired. Not that I recommend that sort of thing.
    Maybe you know someone that would be willing to let you borrow those items. I would probably try that first anyway.
    My guess is that your manager simply doesn't believe you when you say you can't afford those things. Being in charge makes some people kinda big headed and it sounds like your boss thinks you're just being "difficult".

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    • ♥Ev♥
      9 years ago

      Great suggestion!

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  • wistfulmaiden
    9 years ago

    I would tell them you cant afford their special clothes because they pay you crap wages and keep wearing the old style till they buy you one. These businesses make me sick.

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  • Parky_Parker
    9 years ago

    Unfortunately, they don't see this as their problem. Can you ask someone like a friend or family if they can lend you these things until you can buy them on your own?

    If someone I knew was going through this, I'd gladly give them these items to keep.

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  • davesumba
    9 years ago

    Yes it's completely normal, and in NO way is it unreasonable. Find a different job if you don't like it. But I don't see how you can't fork over ten bucks for dress pants, shoes, and a belt from goodwill. I also don't see how you don't already own these, they are standard requirements for any job, so you're gonna have to buy them sometime. I also don't see why you felt the need to buy freaking 10 shirts for your job.
    Sounds like you got some irrational girl problems.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      Maybe because I don't like to wear the same 4 shirts all the time and two of the old ones are now too big on me as I lost weight. Good will still costs money. I don't have a dime to spend right now, that's the problem. I always wore black yoga pants because it's a retail job and no one wore dress pants there especially since it's at a hardware store with lots of dirt/grease. They always wore jeans or sweats/yoga pants. But thanks for saying this in an irrational girl problem.

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      • davesumba
        9 years ago

        Glad I could help :)

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  • Avant-Garde
    9 years ago

    If you need a job that provides really good money, you should consider becoming a dominatrix.

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    • Someweirdmofo
      9 years ago

      Lol, that requires strong mental capability. And a lot of open mindedness towards BDSM. But if she (I assume OP is a she) has that then she could be making as much as someone with a college degree.

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      • Avant-Garde
        9 years ago

        You're right, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If she really needs the cash, I'm sure she'll be able to muster up some open mindedness. It is certainly better than becoming a prostitute.

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