Employer Charging For Uniforms Indefinitely

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Industry: Pest Control

Hello. I work for a pest control company in Columbus, Ohio as a licensed applicator. Company has more than fifty employees, probably less than one-hundred. The company has a policy where we have to buy our uniforms. I understand this is generally legal, and had no issue with it.

They deducted $10 per paycheck (biweekly) for uniforms. This includes four pairs of pants, four shirts, a belt, a ball cap, a winter beanie, and two coats.

Today we were told that effective immediately, the deduction is going up to $15.00 per paycheck. New hires will now have a $25.00 deduction for the first year. We were told we can get new shirts, etc. after a year. Their policy states that if an employee quits in their first year, "the remainder of the balance will be deducted from their last check."

Additionally, the policy states that all company branded clothes (everything listed above, except the belt and pants) must be returned when employment is ended, or the cost will be deducted from the final check.

I asked my manager where we can see how much we still owe, and he said, "there is no balance, they just always take out the money." There are other applicators I spoke to who have been there for several years and they are still getting money deducted every paycheck.

I have three questions for the sub:

First: the long sleeve shirts and pants are legally required Personal Protective Equipment when mixing and applying pesticide, according to the labels. Can an employer charge you for PPE? I understand they are legally able to charge for everyday wear.

Second: Can an employer charge you for uniforms, not tell you the balance, and then demand the uniforms be returned or they will deduct money from your last check?

Third, can an employer deduct money indefinitely for uniforms?

Thank you in advance for your time. I tried getting answers elsewhere, but the Ohio government website was vague.

(Edited because I forgot to finish a sentence)