Work Uniform Lawsuits
Last Updated on June 26, 2017
Investigation Complete
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If you still have questions about your rights, contact an attorney in your area as there is a time limit for filing all lawsuits. The information on this page was posted when the investigation began and is now for reference only.
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At A Glance
- This Alert Affects
- Workers who had to pay for their uniforms.
- What's Going On?
- Attorneys across the country are looking into class action lawsuits against employers who deduct uniform costs from their employees' paychecks. This is because, in some states, it is illegal to make employees pay for their own uniforms.
- Is It Illegal For My Employer Make Me Pay for My Uniform?
- It depends on the state you live in, the kind of work you do, and what your uniform looks like.
If your employer deducted the cost of your uniform from your paycheck, you may be able to start a class action lawsuit and get your money back.
What’s Going On?
In certain states, it’s illegal for companies to charge their employees for uniforms. Attorneys have reason to believe that some major companies, including restaurant chain Jimmy John’s, may be violating these laws and illegally deducting uniform expenses from their workers’ paychecks. They want to get some class actions started, but need to speak with workers who had to pay for their uniforms first.
Can My Employer Make Me Pay for My Uniform?
There’s no federal law that says your employer can’t make you pay for your uniform. Federal law only states that if your employer deducts uniform expenses from your paycheck, this deduction can’t reduce your hourly pay rate below the minimum wage. Therefore, if you only earn the minimum wage, your employer cannot deduct uniform costs from your paycheck.
Certain states, however, have enacted their own laws regarding uniforms. For instance, in Alaska, California and Colorado, among several other states, employers cannot force workers to pay for uniforms that have distinctive designs, logos or colors – basically anything that couldn’t be worn outside of work as “normal clothing.” Furthermore, in certain states, employers cannot deduct uniform costs for clothing or gear that is required for safety reasons.
Some states, including Illinois and Idaho, also have laws that require employers to receive written permission before they can deduct uniform costs, while others require reimbursement when an employee leaves the company and turns in his or her uniform.
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