Your obligations as an employer regarding workwear and PPE depend on the purpose of the clothing. General workwear and uniforms typically do not need to be supplied by the employer, while personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects workers from health and safety risks must be provided free of charge. Understanding these different obligations helps you comply with employment and health and safety laws. This article explores these differences and the types of workwear, and what an employer may need to provide and pick up the cost for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Workwear refers to the clothing your staff wear while performing their duties. In many workplaces, there is a dress code, <\/a>and workwear includes uniforms (such as branded clothing) that identify your staff members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may require workwear to maintain a professional look, support your brand or make it easy for customers to notice your staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some jobs require specific clothing for practical or hygiene reasons, depending on the nature of the work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can ask staff to follow a dress code or wear a uniform for their job, and, depending on the industry, this can be a common practice that you enforce through a staff dress code policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In most cases, you do not have to provide uniforms or other general workwear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can require staff to wear certain clothing without providing it. However, if workers need to pay for any required clothing or uniforms, you should ensure the cost does not reduce the worker’s pay below the National Minimum Wage.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Many employers still choose to provide uniforms as best practice. Supplying uniforms can make things easier for your staff, help ensure they follow workplace standards and maintain a consistent appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want staff to wear uniforms, you should clearly explain this in employment contracts or workplace policies. These documents should state what clothing is needed and when.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should also make clear which clothes are simply uniforms and which are meant to protect workers from risks. This is important because the law treats protective clothing differently.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Where you provide the uniform, it usually remains your property. In these circumstances, you can normally require workers to return the uniform when their employment ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Continue reading this article below the form\n <\/i>\n<\/a>\nShould an Employer Provide Workwear?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n