Bit of advice needed - Retail/Uniform

[cupraajy]

Hope the wealth of knowledge on here will be able to provide some advice on the below.

My girlfriend works in clothes store in a shopping centre. She is only contracted to work 16 hours a week…..at minimum wage I might add, with the option of a few extra shift here and there….still at her normal hourly rate.

Part of the requirements when she started was she had to buy a couple “outfits” from the store to form her uniform. She gets discount of 50% on items up to a certain value per calendar month. Which is a decent discount, but the clothing they sell are expensive and her “Uniform” when she started 6 weeks ago cost in the region of £150. So a big chunk out of her monthly wage straight away.

Goes into work today and is told that the items of clothing that she had previously purchased are now on sale and she will have to purchase new items. So potentially another £150 out of her pay packet this coming month.

Question I am asking….is this normal for the retail? Should she be expected to shell out all this money, based on the fact she is on minimum wage? is there anyone she could seek advice from on this matter?

Thanks in Advance for any replies or advice.

[cupraajy]

Thanks for the replies so far. When she gets home tonight she is going to show me her contract. And will advise if there is anything that stands out.