What are the laws about uniforms at work?
Discount Medical Scrubs
I work at a family practice doctor's office in Portland, Oregon, as a medical receptionist. For the past 9 years, I have worn casual dress clothes. All of a sudden, my employer, told me and the other receptionist that we have to wear scrubs from now on, and that it is the uniform. However, in our office, there are other employees from different departments that work up front consistently, who are wearing normal street clothes. Are there are any rules regarding uniform policies? And is my employer required to pay for any portion or all of the cost of scrubs? As far as I am concerned, uniform means everyone, and if the front office is not all in scrubs, it is not uniform. Thanks in advance for the advice!
Tags: casual dress clothes, discount medical, family practice, medical receptionist, portland oregon, scrubs, street clothes, thanks in advance, uniform policies
January 29th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
there are no laws
Its company policy, you have to wear what they tell you
the only law that might apply is unfair labor practices, which you would have to prove that you were singled out for different treatment
January 29th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Employers can legally require uniforms, and no, it doesn’t have to apply to EVERYONE in the office. As long as they aren’t singling anyone out, it’s fine to have uniforms.
Some jobs will pay for uniforms, or give you a "uniform allowance" to buy them yourself. Some don’t, and if they don’t, you could write off the cost of the uniform on your tax return. But really, scrubs are cheap, even cheaper if you sew them yourself with a couple bucks worth of fabric.
It doesn’t matter what your opinion on the philosophy of uniforms is. What matters is company policy.
January 29th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Laws about uniforms? Don’t think so. Your employer has the right to say you have to work in a uniform. He does not have to pay for them either. Thank goodness scrubs are cheap. The employer does not have to tell everyone to wear the uniform either. As long as you are not the only one it is legal. It doesn’t really matter what you think about uniforms. Either go buy some scrubs so look for a new job.
Good luck.