Are we required to wear work clothes?

In many professions, employees ask themselves the same question: is wearing work clothes mandatory? Can I dress as I please? This is the question we will try to answer in this article.

• Can my employer require me to wear work clothes?

It is possible for your employer to require you to wear specific work clothes, but under certain conditions. Indeed, according to Article L1321-3 of the French Labor Code, requiring employees to wear specific work clothes must be justified by the nature of the task to be performed. Therefore, if the employer can demonstrate that wearing a work uniform is justified, then they are entitled to require it. Generally, wearing work clothes may be mandated for hygiene and safety reasons, or when the employee is in contact with customers. For example, the banking sector often requires employees to adhere to a sober, elegant, and professional dress code . In the construction industry, such as on building sites, wearing work clothes like overalls, helmets, and safety glasses may also be required for safety reasons. Finally, the medical field also mandates strict and standardized work clothes according to hygiene regulations.

But in this case, who is responsible for paying for the work clothes, the employee or the employer? We invite you to consult this other article on this subject by clicking here .

• Am I free to dress as I please at my workplace?

According to the law, and according to judges, the freedom to dress as we please in the workplace is not considered a fundamental right. The employer can therefore require you to wear appropriate and decent attire, according to their own dress code. For example, judges have ruled that a real estate employer can refuse to allow employees working in a real estate agency, who have direct contact with clients, to wear tracksuits. However, the employer can still require decent and appropriate attire even if the employee has no contact with clients. These rules vary from company to company and from employer to employer; some will allow you to wear shorts or a skirt to work during the summer months, while others will require a more formal outfit such as a shirt and trousers year-round.

• Cook, medical staff, construction worker… My professional workwear at Manelli

At Manelli, a boutique and e-commerce specializing in professional clothing, you are sure to find your professional work outfit that meets hygiene and safety standards on our website or in store.