You can deduct the cost of employees’ uniforms but not uniformly

Q           Can we have employees sign an agreement authorizing us to deduct the cost of uniforms from their paychecks?

In Colorado, whether a deduction is permissible depends on the type of uniform.

If you require clothing with a special color, make, pattern, logo, or material, you must furnish the uniform, can’t deduct the cost from employees’ wages, and can’t require a deposit.

If the uniform is more basic (for example, dark pants and a light-blue collared shirt, with no limitations on the material or supplier), you can require employees to purchase the uniform themselves, or you 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. You can also require a certain color so long as you allow for a wide range of shades that are readily available in stores. For example, “light blue” is permissible because it encompasses a wide variety of shades, but “sky blue” or “pastel blue” would be too specific.

Additionally, if the uniform requires special care (such as ironing, dry cleaning, pressing, etc.), you must pay for that, as well. The cost of a uniform’s ordinary wear and tear can’t be deducted from employees’ wages.