Do I have to pay for a uniform bearing the company logo?

By , J.D.
Need Professional Help? Talk to an Employment Rights Attorney.

There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please add a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please add a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Description is required
By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

Question: I have worked for a large warehouse store for several years. Up until a few weeks ago, we had a dress code of khaki pants and blue polo shirts, all of which we had to pay for. We also have to wear security badges with our name and the company's logo; the company gives us these. But the company recently decided to require uniforms instead. The pants are the same, but now the polo shirts have the company's logo on the front and the back. Can the company still make us pay for these? It's not like I'm going to wear this shirt anywhere but at work.

Answer: The rules depend on your state's laws. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) doesn't require employers to pay for uniforms, even if the uniforms are emblazoned left, right, and center with company logos and advertising. The only federal rule on uniforms is that the employer cannot deduct the cost of providing or maintaining (that is, cleaning and pressing) uniforms from your paycheck if doing so would bring your pay below the minimum hourly wage.

For example, if you work a 40-hour week and you earn $8 an hour, your employer could not deduct more than $30 in a single week for uniform costs. The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 an hour, so deducting more than $30 would reduce your hourly rate to below the minimum wage.

State laws often provide additional wage and hour rights, however. In the case of uniforms, some states follow the federal rules. But other states prohibit employers from charging employees for uniforms that bear the company brand or are otherwise distinctive and intended to identify the employee with the company. If you work in one of these states, your employer will likely have to pay for your new uniform shirt. You could still be required to supply the basic khakis, however.

Get Professional Help
Talk to an Employment Rights attorney.
There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please add a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please add a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Description is required
By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

How It Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you