Overland worker told to buy shoes worth more than her wages

28 Oct 2011 11:40p.m.

Libby Beattie wrote:

Hi, my name is Libby Beattie and I work part time at overland and am a third year university student studying medicinal chemistry (meaning extremely strapped for cash). Firstly, its a FANTASTIC job. I only work 7 hours a week, and so don't earn much more than this girl. The uniform requirements.... literally one pair of shoes costing as little as $20 for staff if you get our extremely comfortable and very good quality sneakers each season... is written clearly, in the contract signed by all employees. If you don't want to follow the contract, get another job. Not only do Overland provide freaking awesome discounts, but if you do well and work hard you can get incredible bonuses, even at a part time level. Even if you are minimum wage, working 7 hours a week, it is still possible (i have done it) to earn $700 in bonus every three months (and the average bonus for this many hours a week, is $200 every three months) and if you do really well you get even more goodies. Now if that is not reasonable... when there is one uniform requirement... and hopefully you like the shoes you buy and will wear them anyway... I don't know what is. So before you all start slandering a wonderful companies name, brand, ethics and staff. Hear both sides of the story. Thanks

22 Jul 2010 02:32p.m.

Emma . wrote:

The poor girl! That's utterly ridiculous how the company is expecting her to wear specific uniform items without having the decency to provide it free of charge or even refund the employee. And appropriate footwear? No offence to Overland but many of their shoes are hardly what i'd classify as appropriate for a work place environment.

12 Mar 2010 12:24p.m.

ccj wrote:

Am the only person out of the rest of the non-overland employees in NZ who has had to buy clothes from work, to wear to work? Any fashion retail company will require it, but guess what? At the end of it you have some pretty sweet clothes you've paid next to nothing for. If this stupid girl wants a free uniform, she should try a fast food joint, or maybe a supermarket... I'm sure the 2nd,3rd or 4th hand polyester uniform will definately be a step up from brand new leather shoes at 75% off...

23 Jan 2010 08:06p.m.

mike wrote:

I have come on to this very late. I will never ever shop at Overland. I had an issue with treatment in a store, when I went to purchase a pair of shoes, so I rang the head office to advise them of the potential issue they had within one of their stores, got all the way to the GM's PA , was told he was busy on a call and i would have to call back, i said no, but here is my number he can call me if he wishes to follow up. guess what he never called. I would like to support NZ retailers and manufactureres but i do not support minimum wage compainies nor will i work for one. This incident adds to my desire to never shop with them.

11 Nov 2009 12:36p.m.

Margs wrote:

I endorse Sues' comments. Who does this women (Overland Employee) thinks she is. If employers want their staff to wear their product then supply their uniform for them. I think Amy was very courageous at 17yrs and taking this issue further. Good on Her!!!

03 Sep 2009 10:59p.m.

Kim wrote:

does not matter how many positive comments are made by staff from overland, this is some pretty negative attention. It is a good idea and provides reference of the kind of culture that exists in the overland stores. What snobs, provide a uniform if you want to control what people wear. Would love to know how many customers you will loose because of this.

03 Sep 2009 04:16p.m.

Tracy wrote:

I used to work for a cosmetic company and OMG they expected us all to wear make up, its part of live if you are trying to sell a product you really have to promote it. The discount being offered was pretty good...what a whinger

26 Aug 2009 10:11p.m.

Sue wrote:

Ahhhhhhh Anon the manager is back? are you sure your HR bosses know you are commenting on here? maybe Amy could claim a personal Grievance against you! ....... yes Tina, i guess this OL bullying happens in a lot of retailers and unless people stand up to it it will get worse. I don't know how they can legally get away with it, its not in a contract (agreement) but part of the company rules? wear new season shoes or get bullied and threatened to wear them it seems.

25 Aug 2009 12:07a.m.

Tina wrote:

I feel for her, something similar happened to me. I was working at a fashion store and my manager told me I had to start wearing dresses and skirts at the start of June instead of pants or I should start looking for a new job!
I bought a whole lot of new formal pants when I started there in January 09 because I was told we wernt allowed to wear jeans. I mean why should I have to go out and buy new clothes? And no way in hell they would provide anything! A wek later after she told me her new dress policy, I gave her my notice and walked out the same day. I konw this has nothing to do with OL, but I just wanted to share my story on how some managers are so ****ed up.

24 Aug 2009 08:47p.m.

anono wrote:

hey jono1, how bout u go do something more productive with your time than defending an article which has all the overland staff pointing out the flaws off. Don't you think they'd know better than n e 1 the rules and code of overland?