My employer is requiring their wait staff to purchase new uniforms because they changed the color and order new uniforms for the summer of 2009. They are charging $60 and requiring that we must purchase a quantity of two. I and many of my other co-workers thinks this is outrageous! I think we should not have to pay our employer for their decision to change the uniform. Under New York state labor law it states Quote:
"Can employers require their employees to wear uniforms?
A: Yes, however, the cost of purchasing and/or maintaining a uniform must not bring the employee below the minimum wage. If workers at the minimum wage rate must wear a uniform, their employers must clean and maintain them or pay the employees to do so. Ordinary clothing (such as black trousers and white shirts) are generally not considered "uniforms."
What does this mean??? We get paid an hourly wage of $4.60 which in return gets voided due to taxes, they report all of our tips, which at the end of the year we pay taxes on.
"Can employers require their employees to wear uniforms?
A: Yes, however, the cost of purchasing and/or maintaining a uniform must not bring the employee below the minimum wage. If workers at the minimum wage rate must wear a uniform, their employers must clean and maintain them or pay the employees to do so. Ordinary clothing (such as black trousers and white shirts) are generally not considered "uniforms."
What does this mean??? We get paid an hourly wage of $4.60 which in return gets voided due to taxes, they report all of our tips, which at the end of the year we pay taxes on.