What Should You Do When an Employee Refuses to Wear the Uniform?

Hi everyone, I am Shruti Vandana, pursuing my MBA. I have a question and would like all of you to help me solve my query. I would like to know what actions can be taken if an employee is not wearing the uniform. Please reply.

Looking forward to your responses.

Regards,
Shruti

Firstly, talk to the employee. If there is no sufficient reason provided, please make sure to note down the cause.

Regards,
Rajvir
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Dear Shruti,

Wearing a uniform during working hours is subject to the following:

(1) There exists a uniform policy, and it is, inter alia, mentioned that 'wearing a uniform is mandatory' on all working days during working hours.

(2) The uniform is provided by the company free of charge with a washing allowance.

(3) Penalty clause in case of violation of the Uniform Policy.

Normally, the uniform policy is strictly followed in companies where blue-collar employees are engaged to create a feeling of similarity and belongingness, and people follow the policy without any hassle. However, white-collar employees, at times, deviate from the policy, and the Personnel/HR department issues verbal/written warnings and advises the concerned individuals to adhere to the policy. If the employees are adequately provided with a uniform by the company along with a washing allowance, I don't see any reason not to wear the same. In case of any deviation by anybody on any occasion, it will not be considered as misconduct. However, this varies from organization to organization according to its policy.

In the absence of any policy/free uniform, it is not mandatory for the employee to wear a uniform.

Thanks,

Please counsel the employee initially. If this does not work, give a verbal warning. If there is still no improvement, provide a written warning.

Hi Shruti,

Employees who think that not wearing uniforms does not attract any punishment and those who see many other employees who follow suit never adhere to such edicts. First, we must know the intention of the employee for not wearing the uniform. Companies that provide uniforms and do not insist on wearing the same generally do not compel this aspect nor punish them for non-compliance. There will not be any valid reason except the employee takes this issue so lightly. The employee should be called and cautioned if the organization is so concerned with this issue. In my 31 years of industrial experience, employees would give lame excuses for not wearing uniforms or PPEs but do not continue forever. We must talk to the employee.

Regards. Best of luck, R. Ganesh

Not wearing a uniform, of course, is not a serious offense but an organizational discipline. So, the following lines of action are advised from time to time:

1) First and second-time counseling. Keep a note on record each time in his personal file.

2) 3rd time warning letter with caution to take disciplinary action for any subsequent lapse on the part of the employee.

3) Issue charge sheet for any subsequent offense on the part of the employee, treating the employee as an unamendable person despite counseling and warning.

PS Dhingra
Management & Vigilance Consultant
Dhingra Group of Consultants
New Delhi
09968076381
dcgroup1962@gmail.com

"Hi everyone, I am Shruti Vandana, pursuing my MBA. I have a question and would like you all to help me with my query. I would like to know what can be done if an employee is not wearing the uniform. Please reply. Looking forward to your replies.

Regards, Shruti."

It is necessary to see whether such kind of act (not wearing of uniform) has been done by the employee for the first time. If it is so, then you have to discuss with him, and with discussion only get cleared the matter.

If such kind of act is frequent, then you have to warn verbally. Then, as per the procedure mentioned in most of the above ways by respective gentlemen.

Prashant

Hi Shruti,

First, you must set certain policies regarding the uniform and penalties. Afterward, you must address each employee regarding the importance of the uniform as per the company policy. Even if someone does not adhere to the policy and tries to violate the rules, you can put them on a warning stage and make them aware of the penalties, such as fines, that should be imposed for not being in uniform.

Regards,
Ashok
Email: ashokadass@hotmail.com

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If it is a policy in your organization and only a few employees are not following it, then HR can take action. Firstly, you can talk to them verbally or send an email regarding the issue and ask for a written justification unless it is not approved by the center or boss. If the justification is not valid, then have a face-to-face conversation with them to explain the importance of work ethics, discipline, and rules. If all your efforts seem to be in vain, you can issue them a notice as part of the corrective action plan.

I hope this helps!

~Reet Chhabra~

Friends,

It is according to the policy of each company. In my company, I will not allow any employee, even the General Manager, to work without a uniform and shoes. We have a clause in our wage agreement, and it is mandatory for every employee to wear shoes and a uniform when they report for duty. In case of any injury to the leg/feet, the employee has to make a written request to HR, and depending on the severity of the injury, they may be allowed to work without shoes until it heals.

Believe it or not, I will send them home if they report for duty without a uniform. I will ensure they wear the uniform when they are on the shop floor.

G.K. Manjunath, Manager-HR

We are a manufacturing unit, and in our organization, wearing a uniform at the worker level is a must. Therefore, we do not allow employees to enter the premises if they are not in uniform, unless there is a specific reason to be considered by management.

Thanks,
Poonam

Wearing a uniform is an ethic and not an indiscipline or misconduct. If the company provides uniforms and supplements them with a washing allowance, employees should ethically wear the uniform. The company should keep some uniforms ready in the time office. Anybody coming to work or the office without a uniform should be provided with one from the time office, and a reasonable charge should be deducted from the employee. This will teach them that the company expects professionalism, and any lapses come with consequences.

Wearing a neat and clean, well-pressed uniform will have an impact on that organization. If the person is forced to wear a uniform, you cannot expect them to maintain the decorum of the uniform. If the employee feels pride in wearing the uniform, only then can they wear a well-pressed, neat, and clean uniform. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink. I believe you understand what I am trying to convey.

With warm regards,

S. Bhaskar

Firstly, you need to ask him why he is doing such a thing. If he is repeatedly breaking the rules, then you can give him a show-cause notice. After that, you can take disciplinary action against him.

Hello Shruti, I am not very far from the opinion provided by KSGopal. Just to add, before you discipline any employee or regard any act or conduct as wrong, one must ask oneself whether the act or conduct is illegal according to the laws, regulations, or policies and procedures of the company, country, or any institution.