Used Uniforms?

[JimLewis]

I was just wondering how those of you who have several employees handle uniforms. I don't make my employees buy their own, I supply them with 2 caps, 3 shirts, and 3 sweatshirts. And sometimes the uniforms I give them are ones that have been returned by an ex employee. They have been cleaned and are in good condition, but they don't look brand new.

I never thought anything bad about this but one time I had an employee say, "Dude! This is used! I'm not wearing that!"

It got me to thinking, am I bad for giving my guys used uniforms once in a while? I don't want to have to buy new stuff every time I start a new guy out.

Back when I was in school working at Pizza Hut they gave me used (but cleaned) uniforms and aprons all the time. So I never thought it was bad.

Anyway, just wondering what the rest of you guys do.

[mowerman90]

I'd tell'm "DUDE, hit the road!!!"

[1stclasslawns]

I'm with 90 on this one, if they are in good condition and I figure they are because of the image your company projects here on the forum, He can either wear em or hit the road.

I did restraunt work and didnt get new ones either but they were clean and in good shape.


Jim

[LoneStarLawn]

I would hesitate putting on something that someone that I didn't know wore. I would just wear an undershirt underneath.

That is just me.

[beck]

The shirts I wouldn't mind, but I would not wear someone else's hat.

[Randy Scott]

I never thought anything bad about this but one time I had an employee say, "Dude! This is used! I'm not wearing that!"



That would be me, personally for some reason that grosses me out. What do you mean by uniform? Is it just company t-shirts and sweatshirts? Or is it uniforms like you get from the large uniform companies for auto shops and the like that you maintain? Either way, all the years I worked in the auto industry they would always start you out in new clothes when you started working there and you kept them as long as you were there. I never started a job with used uniforms from the big companies that took care of the shops. If you are giving the guys t-shirts and sweatshirts for work I wouldn't ask forn them back. I have a boat load of company t-shirts and sweatshirts from shops I worked at. They make good oil-changing clothes.
;)

[1stclasslawns]

When I "give" out shirts to employees I want them back when they leave my employment. They are advertising and can be bad advertising too.

Jim

[ohiolawnguy]

i wouldnt waant to wear the hat myself either. shirt would be fine however.

i buy dockers casual pants at the local thrift stores used every year for work. doesnt bother me. they look nice, and cost 1/10th of the same pairs new. i get about a year out of them.

as long as the shirts, and sweatshirts have no major visible grease stains and such, what's the big deal.

[jeffyr]

Jim,

I think that if you would put the shirt on yourself and wear it then I don't think it's a problem.

Toss the hats.....that's just gross.

jeffyr


What I meant was....if the condition is good enough that you would wear them then give them out. If not, throw them out.

[CS Lawns]

My .o2

I used to work in a warehouse where all employees had pants and shirts supplied to them by the company, they were rented thru Max. I Walker mine were unsed by someonelse and so were everbodyelses. As long as they are cleaned and as the kids would say (cootie) free I dont see anything wrong with it. If the employees dont want to wear the cloths you provide them with then give them the option to purchase a new uniform with the discounted by back by you plan??

I was happy to have a uniform less wear and tear on my personal clothing.

[Turfdude]

Jim,

We make all employees return their uniforms to receive their final paycheck (for obvious reasons). If the guy was a loser and only had the shirts/sweatshirts for 2 weeks or less, I'd launder them and re-issue them. If they're beat - then you have extra shop rags. Toss the hats!

Bob

[Ssouth]

I have only had one full time employee so I'm no expert. I gave him two shirts and one hat and told him if he wanted more he could buy them for cost. Half-way through the season he hadn't bought any more so I gave him two more shirts and another hat. The reason I gave him more is simple: 1) He was a good worker!
2)He obviously washed them often and they had faded. You can always tell workers they have to buy extra uniforms but that doesn't mean they will.

Another option is to make everyone pay. If they can't afford several uniforms at once take it out of their check over a few pay periods. ( this is how it was done in restraunts that I worked in)

As far as getting them back I don't know.

[Cowman65]

i agree with ssouth all the way. if they are good workers and actually make an attept to care for their stuff, the reward em

[Rhett]

Might want to check out labor laws. Used to be illigal to require employees to buy uniforms that could not be used as street clothes