Should I have to pay for this?

Last night at work a notice was put up saying that as of Feb 1st, everyone at must wear black shoes (I work at a grocery store). According to the management, we have to pay for them. I deal alot with unloading trucks, lots of pallets, forklifts and heavy skids around. I learned the hard way a few months ago that steel toed boots are a must. I wear standard tan coloured steel toed work boots, which I only got a few months ago. I'm just wondering what your guys opinion is on this? My boots are nearly brand new and I don't want to go out and spend $150 on a new pair just because of the colour, tan work boots are pretty standard I think.

So what do you think? Should I have to pay for new work boots just because of the colour?

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Originally Posted by Peter Williams

Last night at work a notice was put up saying that as of Feb 1st, everyone at must wear black shoes (I work at a grocery store). According to the management, we have to pay for them. I deal alot with unloading trucks, lots of pallets, forklifts and heavy skids around. I learned the hard way a few months ago that steel toed boots are a must. I wear standard tan coloured steel toed work boots, which I only got a few months ago. I'm just wondering what your guys opinion is on this? My boots are nearly brand new and I don't want to go out and spend $150 on a new pair just because of the colour, tan work boots are pretty standard I think.

So what do you think? Should I have to pay for new work boots just because of the colour?

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No. you shouldn't have to. But then again, I'm not sure. I know in the military, if they require you to do wear something, they have to provide at least 1. I would talk to your boss and say "I can't afford new boots, and if you are making me get some, you should pay for them. Because it wasn't a requirement when you first started.

If they say it is a condition of employment then yes. You can always try and renegotiate the terms of your employment, but due to current economic conditions unless you have a union backing you will probably find someone else doing your job and getting your pay check. Could also even happen if you have a union backing you.

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Originally Posted by Gloryhound

If they say it is a condition of employment then yes. You can always try and renegotiate the terms of your employment, but due to current economic conditions unless you have a union backing you will probably find someone else doing your job and getting your pay check. Could also even happen if you have a union backing you.

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I have been working there for 3 years, and only yesterday they made it a "requirement". They did not give any particular reason why it suddenly became an issue. It's kind of a "because I said so" deal. We are not part of a union. I don't think that I would be fired. I work in a department of only 5 people, all of us with much experience, it would put them at a severe disadvantage to get rid of me.

To avoid any conflict with your employers - simply dye the suede on the current work boots - that will save you from buying new ones.

Hope this helps.

I'd say ask to see if they'll cover the charge of new boots, or at least a partial reimbursement. The worst that can happen is they say "no."

Hopefully they'll help you out a bit...$150 isn't exactly pocket change. I wouldn't want to shell out for a new pair either.

Problem solved for $2.19

http://www.countryclubsupply.com/servlet/Detail?no=8604

Durn. West, I missed your post. Ah well.

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Originally Posted by Peter Williams

I have been working there for 3 years, and only yesterday they made it a "requirement". They did not give any particular reason why it suddenly became an issue. It's kind of a "because I said so" deal. We are not part of a union. I don't think that I would be fired. I work in a department of only 5 people, all of us with much experience, it would put them at a severe disadvantage to get rid of me.

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I used to get a $200 dollar a year clothing allowance for work cloths. Guess what? Not this year! I go through 2 pairs of carbon Fiber toed Wolverine boots a year in my line of work. I pay about $200 to $250 a pair on them depending on the sale at the time. It is required to have steel toe boots when you enter the work site. I pay it. Yes I could get cheaper regular steel toe boots, but the comfort is well worth it on the long 16 to 20 hour days I spend on my feet. The company does not give me a dime for it even though the use of steel toe boots are required by OSHA in my line of work. If your value to the company is good enough sure go head and ask! I prefer pointing out my value to the company during reviews and when going in to talk about my next raise. ;)

Yeah, I'd vote for dying the boots. You might look for a cobbler where you live as they'll probably be pretty inexpensive and do a better job than I know I could probably do...

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Originally Posted by L.West

To avoid any conflict with your employers - simply dye the suede on the current work boots - that will save you from buying new ones.

Hope this helps.

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Yup, exactly. Then get a couple skull & crossbones stickers and place them on the toes of your 'new' boots. :)

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Originally Posted by Gloryhound

I used to get a $200 dollar a year clothing allowance for work cloths. Guess what? Not this year! I go through 2 pairs of carbon Fiber toed Wolverine boots a year in my line of work. I pay about $200 to $250 a pair on them depending on the sale at the time. It is required to have steel toe boots when you enter the work site. I pay it. Yes I could get cheaper regular steel toe boots, but the comfort is well worth it on the long 16 to 20 hour days I spend on my feet. The company does not give me a dime for it even though the use of steel toe boots are required by OSHA in my line of work. If your value to the company is good enough sure go head and ask! I prefer pointing out my value to the company during reviews and when going in to talk about my next raise. ;)

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Back when I was welding we had to pay for dang near everything. This included boots. Well after about a year of going through the ok boots I decided to go with redwings. Well, they wore out just as fast as any other boot, but they had a life time on them. So I would just take them into the shoe shop, and they would fix them for free. Took an hour or so. By doing that I was able to make a single pair of boots last several years.

Yes you should. It's the same as saying there is a dress code at a office. The office won't pay for a wardrobe. You should wear black shoes, and you'd be paying for them. I think they should give you plenty of time to get new ones, so like the next day tehy shouldn't be harping at anyone.
I think dying the ones you have is the best idea. Cheap, same boots, and all done. Shoe repair places can dye them usually cheap too. Otherwise.. sharpie markers are cheap too! LOL

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

Otherwise.. sharpie markers are cheap too! LOL

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Sad to say... but I've done that before...



But to the OP - Yup, if the company wants them and chooses not to pay for them - then its on to you! Same thing happened for me - where I work security its in buildings where Osha requires steel toe boots and we are the ones that had to foot (haha) the bill for them.

I gotta say in times like this... nobodys job is 100% safe, so I'd just get new boots or dye the ones you have and call it a day. :D

Spray paint is $1 a can. Just saying.

Also, if you do end up buying new boots, keep the receipt. Once you have spent x amount on gear for work, you can write it off.

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Originally Posted by Typical_08

Back when I was welding we had to pay for dang near everything. This included boots. Well after about a year of going through the ok boots I decided to go with redwings. Well, they wore out just as fast as any other boot, but they had a life time on them. So I would just take them into the shoe shop, and they would fix them for free. Took an hour or so. By doing that I was able to make a single pair of boots last several years.

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Originally Posted by Typical_08

Also, if you do end up buying new boots, keep the receipt. Once you have spent x amount on gear for work, you can write it off.

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Thats why I don't complain much anymore. I've found the tax write off to be benificial. Also being in a supervisory position and keeping boots and cloths not only functional, but looking good helps set a good example.

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Originally Posted by Gloryhound

Thats why I don't complain much anymore. I've found the tax write off to be benificial. Also being in a supervisory position and keeping boots and cloths not only functional, but looking good helps set a good example.

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Yup. I always kept every single receipt for anything I ever purchased for work. When I was welding it was tips, cones, gloves, etc. That in itself would add up a good bit.

Then when I joined the Corps, I started getting an annual clothing allowance, which helped a lot, but anyone that has ever served knows that is no where near what you spend on stuff for inspections and what not. Hell I even kept the receipts for haircuts. It is amazing how four dollars here, and a dollar there adds up over a year. Heck that is over four hundred a year in just haircuts.

It'd be nice if they'd at least foot some of the cost. If you're working in an industry where steel toes are required, it's not exactly a beauty contest job and color shouldn't matter. Safety is what matters.

I lucked out with my last trucking job. They required steel toes and paid all but $5 per pair of the cost. I bought 10 pair of brand new Caterpillar steeltoes and am only through my second pair. :D