Tools, Uniforms and Equipment Explained

If you require specific uniforms, tools or equipment as a condition of employment, or if the law requires you to provide certain equipment, you must provide and maintain the uniforms, tools or equipment, regardless of how much the employee is paid. You cannot make deductions from an employee’s wages (or require reimbursement) for normal wear and tear, breakage or loss. For more information on deductions, see Deductions from Wages.

A “uniform” is defined as wearing apparel and accessories of distinctive design or color. The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) has long maintained that clothing that is standard in the industry and can be worn from one job to the next is not considered a¹