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Original poster

Work expect us to look like models

298 replies

Coldpop · 26/08/2022 09:47

I've started a job in a clothing store where staff wear their own clothes.. or so I thought. No. We have to wear the clothes that work sell and we only get 70% discount. We have to have everything from work, top bottoms and shoes. We also have to wear stuff from the current season, so every 3 months we are expected to buy more tops bottoms shoes as we can no longer wear what isn't being sold in store. I'm on a 18 hour contract, barely over minimum wage. I can't afford this! I'm a mum with a mortgage. Clothes in my family have to last us till they need replacing. I also think it's very wasteful to have to constantly buy clothing. At the least to be able to buy the cheapest stuff from work it will cost me about £80- 100 every 3 months. It's not exactly a cheap store. There's posters up all over the staff room telling us to inspire customers with our outfit choices, that we have to be stylish at all times!. Im used to dressing smart for work.. but Im going to feel mugged every 3 months that I have to part with my wages to be an advert for my employer. I've just started, I've had no wages but I've been asked to sort my outfit choices as soon as possible. Don't know what to do. Is this the norm in retail now?

OP posts:
zurala · 26/08/2022 15:00

Cindie943811A · 26/08/2022 13:52

Well, I’ve learnt something new AND the staff’s money has been wasted because I have never noticed they always all wear their employer’s clothing.

Nor have I, and I used to work for fashion magazines! I'm nearly 50 and had no idea this was the case in all fashion shops. It's not noticeable and I doubt it has much impact on sales. I often think shop assistants look a bit boring!

ZombieLIfe · 26/08/2022 15:00

So he’s not working minimum wage, part-time like OP then?

sleepygal · 26/08/2022 15:06

MrsMoastyToasty · 26/08/2022 09:51

Sell the clothes as soon as you are no longer required to wear them.

Agree with this

Cyw2018 · 26/08/2022 15:08

PurBal · 26/08/2022 10:03

Make sure you reclaim tax on your uniform!

She works 18 hours at minimum wage, she won't be paying tax, so can't benefit from reclaiming it!

georgarina · 26/08/2022 15:12

ZealAndArdour · 26/08/2022 14:08

Jojo Maman Bebe gives you a uniform.

Well that’s good news because I haven’t worn a babygro in bloody years now. Don’t think I’ve got the bum to pull it off these days.

Lol

They're actually great - if you're pregnant you get 5 free maternity items and can pick from anything.

dianthus101 · 26/08/2022 15:13

TakeTheOffPisteRoute · 26/08/2022 14:43

Isn’t this quite simple and a “them against us” mountain that’s been created out of a mole hole (when it isn’t)?

My thinking being. Isn’t the cost of buying the clothes not just a cost of sales ie in this case one of the costs that you incur when selling your time to the employer in exchange for pay?

I think it’s a simple matter of it’ll cost OP to undertake her job (including those associated with the need to comply with dress code policy) and OP needs to weigh up if that’s a good return on investment for her.

if it is a good return, fantastic, get on with the job and enjoy it.

if it isn’t, then rather than moan about it, exercise your decision to choose where you work and just find another job that does give the returns wanted.

other posters have given great advice on how to minimise the costs by buying tactically and possibly even generate a side revenue which sounds like fantastic advice.

p.s There’s other “costs of sale” that could be considered in the same bracket that seem to be (rightly!) ignored on this thread such as commuting costs, lunch costs, childcare (if any) costs, underwear (presumably they’re not required to be branded!) etc….

It is not the same as commuting costs as you expect those before you start a job and your employer doesn't tell you how to get there. They also don't tell you what childcare you have to use (or if you have to use it) and they don't tell you that you have to eat lunch or what to eat. If they started to try and control any of those factors they would have to pay for it.

WhereAreMyAirpods · 26/08/2022 15:18

DD works in one of the large stores mentioned and she gets 75% off her "uniform" clothing. It has to be something in the current range and approved by the manager as suitable.

She does not need to buy footwear from the retailer's range. She usually picks a dress of some description, costs her less than £10 with her discount. Own shoes, own tights. Wears it EVERY shift until the new range comes out and then does the same. I have also got through to her that it doesn't really matter if she likes her work clothes or not, they are her uniform and there to serve a purpose.

How you are spending £100 every three months WITH a discount i'm not quite sure.

TakeTheOffPisteRoute · 26/08/2022 15:21

I accept there’s more degrees of freedom in those decisions but I guess it doesn’t change, and in someways reinforces, my point… this is something they’re controlling and they are paying for it (in terms of hourly rate, noting it’s above NMW) so the decision is still…

are they paying enough to make the ROI worthwhile? If yes, crack on. If no, new job.

SheWoreYellow · 26/08/2022 15:22

Cyw2018 · 26/08/2022 15:08

She works 18 hours at minimum wage, she won't be paying tax, so can't benefit from reclaiming it!

Show quote history

And you can only claim the tax back if you can’t wear it out of work. So normal clothes you can’t.

WitTanks · 26/08/2022 15:24

I think it's fucking cheeky of the employer, but nothing surprises me these days, as employers seem to just get away with whatever they want.

If they want you to wear their clothes, then they should provide you with an outfit for free.

mountainsunsets · 26/08/2022 15:27

Seriou · 26/08/2022 14:28

I’m shocked by the comments that say this is normal for clothes shops ! Stop applying for jobs with them and name & shame.
No way should you be buying this amount of clothes from them.

Lots of people get jobs with certain retailers just for the discount.

I used to work for a fairly well-known outdoor retailer. The clothes were expensive but staff discount was generous and people would work there for a couple of days per week for a huge discount on their clothing.

mountainsunsets · 26/08/2022 15:31

Lcb123 · 26/08/2022 13:41

I can't get over how terrible for the environment this is. I understand them wanting you to wear that shop's clothes, but so wasteful to replace all your work clothes 4 times a year.

You don't have to replace it though, you can still wear it outside of work, or sell it, or donate it. It's not like after three months, they make you return it and it goes to landfill.

I left clothing retail three years ago and still have all the stuff I bought when worked there (and wear it regularly).

WhereAreMyAirpods · 26/08/2022 15:31

I also think that the reason stores do this is very obvious. You need work clothes, if there was no policy, then people would be turning up for work in Next with GAP hoodies, or in Monsoon wearing the top M&S have in their adverts. This is clearly not what the store wants. They appreciate that staff have to pay their own costs and give 75% ish off uniform purchases. So you shop very smart, you buy one pair of black trousers or a black skirt and a couple of the cheapest tops you can.

Once the season has passed and you can't wear the clothes again, you can sell them on. It's no different from starting a new office job and having to buy a new suit, or whatever.

Agree though that buying clothing shouldn't take you below minimum wage.

Hankunamatata · 26/08/2022 15:31

Do they have staples like creating trousers or jean's that they always sell? Same with shoes. Then you would just have to buy a top. Tbh I'd just buy one outfit and wear for all shifts until you need to buy another.

Hankunamatata · 26/08/2022 15:32

Oow friend just suggests you sell on vinted once season is done.

Justkidding55 · 26/08/2022 15:35

Always been the way. When I was 16 I had a Saturday job in a high street store favoured by old or middle age plus sizes (no offence that’s me now! 😂) and I had to wear the most hideous stuff and it probably cost me a lot of what I earnt.

Loki64 · 26/08/2022 15:36

Always been the norm.
I think people usually apply ro retail stores they are a fan of an usually see this as a benefit as they usually wear clothes from there anyway.

My sister loved river island and applied to work there specifically for this perk as she bought most of her clothes there anyway.

bringonthesunshinefinally · 26/08/2022 15:37

Sounds like a perfect job for a student with no mortgage or children but not for an adult with bills etc. YANBU.

HumourReplacementTherapy · 26/08/2022 15:37

Which store is it?
Is it a Next kinda price point, a mint velvet/whistles or Chanel?

Cyclemarine · 26/08/2022 15:37

I worked in next about ten years ago and I didn’t have to buy/ wear their clothes. Same for when I worked in house of frasers. I had access to the staff discount but didn’t have to wear their stuff.

It does seem quite unfair, and a bit excessive considering how much they’re paying you and how many hours you work.

Blowthemandown · 26/08/2022 15:38

Ihatethenewlook · 26/08/2022 10:01

I agree. What a stupid comment to make given the situation we are in today. I haven’t paid my gas and electric bill in 4 months because I can’t afford to despite working full time. I’ve been using the money to feed my children and buy 3 new sets of uniform for this September. Like fuck have a got a spare few hundred to buy myself multiple sets of seasonal clothes every year for work.

Show quote history

Especially if not working full time. I completely get what @Coldpop is saying.

Branster · 26/08/2022 15:41

Leafy3 · 26/08/2022 10:56

Has anyone ever actually noticed what staff were wearing and been inspired to buy? Because I haven't!

I'm with you, op. Unless it's in your contract of employment just do what you can manage and if they kick up a fuss, I'd do the same. There was a legal case a few years ago about women being made to wear heels in the office which ended favourably for women and (I'm not a lawyer, but) I would argue this set a precedent.

Not once, in my entire life, have I noticed what sales assistants wore, especially to the point of being 'inspired' !!!!

frazzledasarock · 26/08/2022 15:42

Bloody hell! I used to work in clothes shops in Oxford st as a teen, no way would I paid a single penny for the uniform. We got an outfit from the shop floor every six months mine came from Top Shop we’d have to wear that seasons colours.

None of us would have worked in the shops if we’d had to fork out for the shop floor clothes. They were really expensive!

MugginsOverEre · 26/08/2022 15:43

What is your exact wage per hour. The way minimum wage works is that it's the bare minimum a place can pay you. This means that if you are on minimum wage exactly, there is no give on what they can deduct for uniforms etc or force you to pay. They also cannot expect you to undergo training hours that are unpaid as any extra work you do or anything that they make you pay for, would mean they are paying you under NMW. So, if the £80-£100 off your wages each month puts you under NMW they are breaking the law expecting you to pay.

Bananasalad · 26/08/2022 15:48

I have noticed shop workers occasionally wearing clothes from the store, mostly notable prints or slogan t shirts, but wouldn't notice plain trousers, skirts and tops because I'm not gonna be staring at their bum or chest to notice the detailing.
I can't say I have ever been inspired to buy anything based of what I've seen though and I'd feel a bit stalker (ish) picking out the same outfit as the person serving me ' I love you, will you be my friend).