possibly sacked for not buying new shoes for work

[filthiestfis]

My girlfriend's boss has threatened to sack her if she does not buy new shoes. She works in a low paid well known chain of fast food restaurant and uses trainers to work on the floor.
Her boss has told her several times to get new ones and she has told him that she cannot afford them so the employer should cough up if they are so insistent.
There is nothing in the contract to say that a certain type of shoe is a necessity to work there so I dont see where the employer would stand if they went ahead and dismissed her.
But...if they do sack her, what proceedings could she undertake against them?

[tamborine]

Dress codes are often decided at an interview. Can she prove she was interviewed in trainers?

[ThePlayer]

My girlfriend's boss has threatened to sack her if she does not buy new shoes...

But...if they do sack her, what proceedings could she undertake against them?

Are you and your girlfriend just trying to make a quick buck? because im getting that vibe from you,If not direct her towards peac0ckk,primark or the several thousand charity shops where she can pick up shoes or trainers for under a fiver and be ashamed that you let your woman walk around looking like a scruffy hobo!

[saxy_jag]

Under health and safety legislation any employee is required to take a certain responsibility for their own safety and hygiene - which can include clean, suitable footwear. Specialist footwear - steelies, acid-proof boots etc., should be provided by the employer. Otherwise you're required to provide suitable footwear for the job. And if you're going to buy a pair of shoes to use for work, then you may as well wear the colour/style your boss asks you to.

There's actually some mileage in spending a little bit of money on 'work only' wear. It means you don't get your non-work stuff ruined at work and your work gear stays smart and lasts longer.

[China Doll]

I have my work clothes and my normal clothes because not everything I wear is suitable for work. I also have work shoes and non-work shoes. Technically I could wear my black stilettos in to work, (indeed I have done on several occasions) but if I go ar$e over tit because I'm running upstairs with a pile of notes then it's my own fault as they're really not appropriate to what I do during clinic days. I have a pair of shoes that have a good sturdy heel (not as high) and some straps which mean I still look presentable but can go charging about like a headless chicken if I need to.

I think it's perfectly acceptable for a company to ask you to watch your foot wear, if I break my leg in stilettos, I wouldn't have a leg (pun intended) to stand on with regards to any claim but I'd probably still be out of work for six weeks and they have to pay someone else to come in and replace me. That's a waste of time and money.

If you go on ebay there's shed loads of cheap shoes or as I said go second hand, some of the stuff I wear to work I got very cheaply in New Look/Primark. If she's got small feet then even better as she can afford junior sizes which are even cheaper!

[Mr Veritas]

One of our Grandsons works as a manager for Sainsbury's.
The staff are required to wear black shoes,of any type or pattern.
One guy would not(he too was in trainers),despite repeated warnings (in fact he had 3 verbal warnings) and was warned if he did not change his ideas he would be fired,and he was!
Not only this,trainers (in Sainsbury's at least) are not safe on the tiled floor of the shop, or at the back in the storage area (where floors get wet).So this can be a health and safety issue.
Personally,I would not like to be served at Pizza Hut by a waitress in trainers,but then I am very old school.

[tamborine]

Trainers are sportwear - not for restaurants.

I wouldn't wear my muddy wellies into work.

[filthiestfis]

The Player: your allegation is laughable and not worth my time defending myself.

The trainers are not broken but they do get dirty all the time. BUT she is not actually serving customers so they cannot see them. Anyway, I guess I will get her a new pair today.

[filthiestfis]

This is ****-all to do with health and safety. The shoes are dirty and the employer wants her to wear black shoes so that the dirt isnt visible. SO she will do just that starting tomorrow.

[BertiWooster]

Come on China Doll - do the decent thing and donate one of your many pairs ?

( by the way - on the first page of this thread it states 1-20 of 27 - yet on this page it says 21 to 22 of 22 - and there is ony two additional postings - have some responses been banned ? )

[dot.haukes]

yes Bertyi, Eleggantly is MIA he was supposedly legend

[Legalyblond2]

i was definitely legend dotty


ive been autobannef or over posting
and my stuffs disappearing lol

[dot.haukes]

mmm well stop using small 'i's it;s confusing