Are you a new business owner debating whether or not to introduce employee uniforms? As a business owner, you can ask your employees to wear uniforms for a variety of reasons, but the question of cost can often seem unclear. In this article, we’ll explain the rules surrounding employee uniforms and who bears the cost for them.
Employees wearing uniforms can be a great way to organise your business. Some of the benefits are:
Identification
Customers can easily distinguish employees while they are in uniform. This is particularly important in areas such as public safety as members of the public would know who to approach.
Branding
Uniforms can incorporate a recognisable brand logo or the colour scheme of the business. This would reinforce the branding of the company to its consumers.
Safety
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refers to uniforms worn by employees to minimise risk to their health and safety. The type of PPE depends on the type of industry and the work you require your employees to do. For example, civil engineers would wear Hi-Vis workwear to ensure they remain visible to moving vehicles and machinery.
Practicality and Professional
Uniforms offer a sense of practicality for certain jobs while maintaining a professional image. For example, it is practical for a butcher to wear an apron as a part of his uniform
As an employer, you have the option of paying for your employee’s uniforms or reimburse your employees for purchasing uniforms out of their wages. A brief overview of your obligations can be seen below.
Clothing Allowance
This allowance covers the cost of buying a uniform so that the employees wouldn’t have to pay for uniforms out of their wages. You have to reimburse your employees for any costs incurred while purchasing uniforms. This reimbursement includes any costs associated with replacing uniforms due to normal wear and tear. However, this provision will not apply if you intend on buying the uniforms or protective gear for your employees.
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Laundry Allowance
You have to reimburse all costs associated with laundry if your employees are responsible for washing their uniforms. For instance, in industries like hospitality, you can arrange with your employees to wash, and iron uniforms in exchange for an agreed sum of money paid weekly.
Your obligations depend on the industry you are in and the type of work you require your employees to do. You can find industry-specific information on the Fair Work Ombudsman website on providing uniforms to employees.
Non-compulsory Uniforms
As an employer, you are only required to reimburse costs associated with a compulsory uniform. Therefore, if the uniform is not mandatory, you can use your discretion to offer discounts on the uniforms as an incentive to purchase them.
Returning Uniforms Upon Termination
If you have purchased the uniforms for your employees, you have the right to claim the items back at the end of the employment relationship provided that you have included:
- A ‘return of all company property’ clause in your employment agreements along with a specific reference to returning uniforms.
- A ‘return of uniforms’ requirement in the termination checklist.
In addition, If the employee refuses, you can write up a formal request to return the uniforms or seek an order from the court for the return of property. Generally, any uniform or protective gear supplied to the employees will be considered your property.
If you are planning on paying for your employee’s uniforms and wish to include a return provision in all employment agreements, it may be worth contacting a business lawyer.
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