Under Federal law, employers are encouraged to reimburse employees for uniforms or required clothes. But the law does not say that they must reimburse their employees for such costs. In addition, federal law states that employers, who require non-OSHA mandated uniforms, are not required to pay for them if they compensate their employees adequately. Federal law, though, does state that employers have to pay for their employees' personal protective equipment, or “PPE.” Note that California law treats the issue a bit differently. The law makes a distinction between mandated uniforms and required clothing (e.g., black pants and shoes). California State law says that while employers have to reimburse employees for uniforms, they do not have to do the same for required clothing.