Uno’s uni purchase edict wears on staff

A national pizzeria chain could be in deep trouble over its requirement that employees purchase uniforms for work.

Uno Pizzeria & Grill is facing a lawsuit in Syracuse, New York, on accusations it illegally forced its employees to buy mandatory uniforms at $5 to $25 per shirt, hat or jacket, Syracuse.com reported on Monday.

The suit, seeking class-action status on behalf of workers at all 13 Uno locations statewide, is asking for a judge to stop the practice and to order the pizza chain to reimburse employees for the uniforms, according to the article.

One complainant who worked as a bartender for 14 years paid upwards of $360 a year on uniforms, according to the suit.

“Because of the spills, stains and smells associated with his work, (the employee) had to purchase approximately 12-18 Front of House shirts per year at a cost of $20.00 each,” the lawsuit states. “He would have to buy a new shirt whenever a shirt became stained because he had to appear in front of customers.”

Uno has not yet responded to the allegations in court, the newspaper reported.