Workplace Requirments

Hello all,

A certain scenario within my workplace is troubling to me, and I am not sure if I can do anything about it.

I work maintenance for a living in Utah, and the job I am working at requires me to purchase and maintain my own tool set. I have been employed here for three years, and this has never been a problem. In the past, I always maintained one facility entirely by myself, as we all do within the Utah area; however, they have now doubled my workload and placed me in charge of two entire facilities by myself.

This not only doubled my workload, but it also requires that I have two full (and expensive) sets of tools. As I require public transportation to and from work I have no way to transport my one set back and forth.

I have spoken with my management, upper management, and our HR department to no avail.

So I guess my question is this. Can they not only double my workload without compensation, but require me to purchase an additional set of tools so that I may do my job effectively?

If I refuse to buy the tools, and of my workplaces falls apart due to lack of maintenance: Can they fire me for that?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Dan

You do manual labor most  of the time?  You say you're "in charge" of, now, two facilities.  What exactly does "in charge" entail?

Yes, they can require you to have two sets of tools and fire you if you refuse.  That said, I think your employer is being most unreasonable.  Mechanic's tools represent an investment of thousands of dollars (sometimes, many thousands of dollars) and it's most unreasonable to require you to double your investment especially without any increase in pay.  Frankly, I think you ought to be looking for a new job.  Typically individuals with your skills (and tools) are always in demand.  Good luck.

How much do these tools cost?

Are we talking $100's or $1000's?

If you have $1000's invested in tools, and good at what you do, it sure does seem like you could likely find another job that is better.  Is that a possibility?

Your employer's requirements do sound unreasonable, but they can make the requirement (and even argue that you rely on public transport isn't their problem).   If you desire to continue employment with them, however, have you tried a different approach that might help?:

Sometimes companies are willing to grant a "tool-purchase" program, where they would purchase the tools and make deductions from your pay over a period of time to lessen a blow all at once.  Many employers are risk-adverse to this if they've been burned, but since you have a good work history over three years, they may consider it.  Be cautious, however, in that any such agreement would likely require you to sign they take any amounts owing out of a final check if you leave.  In general, the situation you described "sucks", but it may be an option if you want to continue your employ.