Uniform at a Clothing Store - Laws?

[BJG1]

Hi all,

A search on google has been unfruitful, so I thought I'd put this one to the collective brain on PH.

My Girlfriend works part-time for a well known expensive clothing store, she is required to wear their clothes as her work uniform, as you would expect. Her uniform changes 4 times a year (with the seasons). She cannot simply pick any clothes she like, but must pick from one of a set number of "model looks" and is then required to purchase every item that model is wearing. (This isn't typically things which 'go' together, and will inevitably feature one thing she doesn't like).

Before this Spring it wasn't a problem, clothing for uniform was discounted at 85%, making a typical uniform cost around £30. However, they've recently changed the rules, giving different items different discounts, meaning uniform now costs around £80, 4 times a year that's £320, which is significant for a part-time job.

I should imagine there are no rules against this, there's no shortage of people wanting to work there, simply just so they can get that discount, just wanted to check if there's anything she can do about it.

[condor]

At a guess offset it against tax paid?

[Davel]

Well you would think that if they want to specify a uniform, then they should povide it.

Morally if not legally.

The uniform may well consist of clothes that you wouldn't want to wear anywhere else.

Sorry, don't know about the legalities of this....

[BJG1]

It's only a part-time job for a student, so no tax paid.

I'd have thought they should have to provide it at a price not exceeding what it'd cost to dress yourself, so any more than 30 quid and they're taking the piss.

[purplepolarbear]

If it's the store I think it is (rhymes with crack thrills), then post something on their message board on their web site - niece is on it all the time. I think it's supposed to be moderated but not particularly well and a lot of stuff does slip through the net. Someone from the store might notice it and answer.

[anonymous-user]

Does it say any thing in her contract about what percentage she has to pay towards the clothes?
If it doesn't I would say legally the company can do what they want and she will either have to pay up or find another job, as unfair as it is.

[Fittster]

I remember a case with Ralph Lauren getting into trouble with this sort of thing.

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/...

An American case:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/c...