Reimbursement of Workwear Cleaning Costs: The Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Workers

The Italian Supreme Court (Corte di Cassazione), with Ordinance No. 8152 of March 27, 2025, has established an important principle regarding workers’ rights: employees are entitled to reimbursement of the expenses incurred for cleaning their workwear, correctly quantified as one hour of overtime pay per week.

🏢 The Case: The Right to Clean Company Uniforms

The dispute originated from a lawsuit filed by several permanent employees of a municipal company, assigned to urban sanitation services. The workers requested compensation for both material and non-material damages due to being forced to clean their work uniforms at their own expense.

The Court of Appeal initially rejected their claim, stating that the company was not directly responsible for these costs. The workers then appealed to the Supreme Court.

⚖️ The Supreme Court’s Decision: Uniforms as PPE

The Supreme Court accepted the workers’ appeal, referring to the established principle that workwear can be classified as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). According to Article 2087 of the Italian Civil Code, PPE includes any equipment, complement, or accessory that acts as a protective barrier against health and safety risks, even if not officially certified as such.

Consequently:

• The employer is obliged not only to supply but also to maintain PPE, including workwear, in efficient condition.
• Cleaning is essential to ensure the protective function of the clothing.
• Therefore, the cost of cleaning must be borne by the employer.

In this case, it was undisputed that the employer had failed to maintain the protective clothing, forcing the employees to cover the costs themselves.

💰 How to Quantify the Damage: One Hour of Overtime per Week

The workers requested that the damage be quantified as the equivalent of one hour of overtime pay per week, a criterion the Supreme Court considered valid for evidentiary purposes. The Court emphasized that rejecting the workers’ claims without first admitting oral evidence regarding the expenses incurred was incorrect.

As a result, the Court of Appeal’s decision was overturned, and the case was sent back for a new assessment.

🏭 What Changes for Workers and Employers

This ruling sets an important precedent regarding the protection of workers’ rights, especially for those required to wear uniforms or protective clothing. Companies must:

• Ensure maintenance and cleaning of workwear;
• Reimburse expenses incurred by workers if they fail to meet this obligation;
• Adapt their practices to avoid further legal disputes and potential penalties.