Work and uniform

[Girlof6]

I work in a hotel, sometimes I’m in the restaurant working and we have to wear all black, including a short sleeved shirt. At the moment it’s been fairly warm, but sometimes it’s so cold in there. For me anyway. I do have thyroid issues that my dr is trying to get under control with meds but I’m often feeling the cold more than others. Our managers are allowed to wear fleeces, and jumpers, with the logo on, but provide nothing for the other staff. It’s not just me who is often cold either. One girl tries to wear a black cardigan in the restaurant but has been told off for it! So before I say something to my boss… do you think I’m being unreasonable to ask for something for us to wear also? And do they have to provide something?
thanks in advance!

You could say it's linked to your medical needs and you would be happy to speak to Occ health if they wish?

Nope! I worked in hotels for years and we had a summer uniform and a winter one. Winter had long sleeved shirts and people often wore long sleeved tops underneath. Summer was short sleeved shirt.
I get that the hotel want staff to look uniform, but if enough staff raise a complaint, they should be realistic and do something.
Although, is it a chain hotel?.

I think it would be extremely reasonable to raise it with management. Encourage your colleagues to do the same.

Not a chain hotel. A lot of the staff would also back me on it as we all find it unfair that management have been provided with jumpers and fleeces but not the rest of us. The air con out the back makes it freezing and it’s not pleasant sometimes. When I raise it with my boss, should I suggest they provide something or that we can wear a smart black cardigan or something?

There is probably a hygiene issue around a cardigan unless it's buttoned closed the whole time. A 3/4 sleeve shirt would be better as you can then wear something under it and it'll largely work all year round. Or a shirt with the option to roll and button the sleeved up.
Definitely get the staff to stand together on the issue if you know they'll back you. Report up to your manager and escalate up to GM if needed.
How does the hotel generally treat the staff?

As it is connected with a known health issue, your employer is obliged to make 'reasonable adjustments' this could be a cardigan, sweat shirt, jumper or similar. I suggest that you put it to your employer in those terms.

Have you tried M&S Heatgen thermals?

They're not old-fashioned and just look like long-sleeved tops, strappy tops and leggings in a selection of colours. There's two heat types, Heatgen and Heatgen plus. Our office can get cold due to the air-conditioning so I wear Heatgen throughout the winter as I can't stand being cold. They wash well and dry quickly.

We’re not allowed to wear a long sleeved top under either at the moment. It’s my arms that get cold, I do wear a vest top under the shirt though.
generally staff are treated well to be honest.

Do cold arms really bother you, if yiur body is warm?

As an HR professional for many years I'd be mindful of your colleagues standing behind you. I've seen that many times over and at crunch time they fall away leaving the person who raises the complaint or grievance floundering when they say "oh I can see both sides but don't feel strongly enough to raise it as an issue".

yeah when the air con is blaring I’m freezing. A lot of the women feel the same as me, that it’s unfair managers get to wear jumpers and fleeces and we can’t even wear a long sleeved top..

In which case raise the issue with management. Do it fairly, nicely, professionally and properly. You can ask others to sign the letter before you present it so you know who will back you. It isn't a huge or unreasonable request, and you could say that it's affecting your underlying health condition too so youd like an OH referral