Uniform return for job

[Mike G.]

Jurisdiction

California

Good Afternoon,
I just wanted to ask, I am a manger for a valet department. When we give employees their uniform which they do not have to pay for(everything is free and paid for by the company) and they end up resigning and they did not return their uniform after resigning are we allowed to ask for them back and if they do not want to return it, are we allowed as a company to bill them something?

 

[army judge]

Unless you have the employee's consent in WRITING, withholding a portion of wages to recoup the cost of uniforms in CA is a definite NONO!!

Deductions From Wages

 

[adjusterjack]

Good Afternoon,
I just wanted to ask, I am a manger for a valet department. When we give employees their uniform which they do not have to pay for(everything is free and paid for by the company) and they end up resigning and they did not return their uniform after resigning are we allowed to ask for them back and if they do not want to return it, are we allowed as a company to bill them something?

You should have them sign something when they first get hired that says they must return the uniform(s) upon termination and expressly allow the company to deduct the cost of the uniform from their final paycheck if they don't return it.

Otherwise, you can "ask", you can "bill", and you can whistle for the money if they don't return it and they don't pay, cause you got nothing without their signature on an agreement.