Uniform query

[Charlyparly]

I work in a care home where staff wear nursing dresses, which are totally impractical to work in, are awkward and uncomfortable. Most care home and hospital staff ditched the nursing dress years ago. We requested a new uniform consisting of a nursing tunic and trousers but the homes' owner refused point blank. He is not at the home on a daily basis, has never provided "hands on" care and (I don't imagine) ever worn a dress - so has no idea how restrictive they are. What's the legal situation here? If everyone makes a specific request for a uniform which allows for a bit more dignity and is more comfortable to work in, can he still refuse? He seems to have no reason other than he "thinks they look smarter" and the manager just won't take it any further with him. It's worth mentioning that all members of staff are female. Wonder what would happen if he employed a male?

[bednobs]

do you mean he wont provide them, or that if you bought them yourself he wouldn't let you wear them?

[Charlyparly]

He won't let us wear them - we are agreeable to pay for these ourselves, but he won't have it.