Dana Dobbins
By Dana Dobbins
Question: Can an employer have employees sign an agreement authorizing the employer to deduct from employees’ paychecks to cover the cost of employee uniforms?
Answer: In Colorado, whether a deduction is permissible depends on the type of uniform.
If the employer requires clothing with a special color, make, pattern, logo, or material, the employer must furnish the uniform, cannot deduct the cost from an employee’s wages, and cannot require a deposit.
If the employer’s uniform is more basic (for example, dark pants and a light blue[1] collared shirt, without any limitations on the material or supplier), the employer can require employees to purchase the uniform themselves or can deduct for the cost of the clothing (though, to avoid a gray area, the safest bet is simply to let employees purchase their own). Read more
