Abercrombie & Fitch Makes Its Employees...Wears Its Clothes

Funny, we don't see any clothes here Abercrombie & Fitch had been forcing their employees at retail locations to wear its clothing, and yesterday, they agreed to pay $2.2 million in damages to employees for violating California law. The chief counsel for California's Division of Labor Standards Enforcement said, "Virtually every worker we spoke to informed us that their store manager, their supervisors had been requiring them to wear Abercrombie clothing, and in fact the clothing had to be current with what was being sold that season," while Abercrombie said it had only "encouraged" the staff to purchase A&F clothing with staff discounts. Gothamist applauds the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for stopping futher perpetration of A&F clothing, but wishes it could expand its reach to America's youth. (Readers, relax, we're not saying "Stop the homoerotic photo shoots.")

This makes Gothamist think back to one company dress code that lasted about two days, in an effort to "manage" the employees. And look less dirty in the elevator, compared to floormates J. Crew.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts & Entertainment on June 26, 2003 11:10 AM

Comments [rss]

Matt

how do i get the A&F modls application?

Drea

I am an african american and I LOVE A&F clothing. I love HOLLISTER clothing, but I cannot honestly say that I feel welcome when I enter the stores. In fact, I feel downright uncomfortable because I feel so commpletely out of place. I think that's where A&F goes wrong. For a long time they have blatantly disregarded the minority market and as a result, those of us who really do like their clothes and style, stop shopping there because we feel uncomfortable going in the store. Not only does no one look like us that works there, but no one plastered up on the walls looks like us either.

Quite frankly, I'm glad they got slapped with a lawsuit, but its unfortunate that they only time they realize what they're doing is when someone hits them in their pocket. I used to want to work there when i was in college, but I never did because as time went on i started to feel more and more uncomfortable entering the store.

Alex

The most important figure to think about is not just with Abercrombie or other retail stores, it is with all businesses who have young high school and college kids working there. The fact is the pay is outrageous. What are you supposed ot do with $4 an hour restaurants ay their waitresses and $5 that abercrombie ays their employees. No matter what you are robably spend money at their stores anyway just to fit in with the look for the season. So once you subtgract how much money you spend with them you basically come out about even as if you weren't working there maybe leaving with an outdated shirt in your posession. In my opinion, how much you pay someone to work, thats how much work you will get out of a person. People have to sto retending like the have the best jobs in the world and actuallys tand up to these huge companies whith huge profits. The bottom line is not if you don't like abercrombie or hollister but the bottom line is these companies do not respect their emloyees..that is so simple to see. wow abercrombie offers 50% off of their $100 shirt. Who would pay $100 for a 100% cotton shirt. This company has become rediculous and it makes me sick to see that kids my age are not respected.

jessica

i work at hollister. i don't think they are racist. my store manager is african american and two of my assitant manangers are asian. i think it also depends on where you live. some areas of the country are more diverse than others, like the midwest is mostly white while california is very diverse compared to the mid west.

i don't think that it is a problem that they only hire good looking people. BRAND REPRESENTATIVE...it means that you represent the brand. if you had your own brand would you want people who didn't look good in your clothes representing your brand?? i'm not saying that you have to be gorgegous, but you just have to have the classic, good looking, clean cut look. if someone applied to hot topic who only wore abercrombie and hollister, they most likely wouldn't get the job because they wouldn't fit in with the style of the store. clothing stores like abercrombie and hollister are selling an image. why would they hire anyone who didn't represent the look the were going for??

at my store we don't have to wear only hollister clothes we can wear other brands that have the same style as hollister. and the clothes do NOT have to be current. i mean, logically you are not going to wear short shorts and a little tank top in january, but for the most part, it doesn't have to be current. if you worked at target you would have to wear khaki bottoms and a red shirt. MOST PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT HAVE DRESS CODES!!

the bottom line is, if you don't like abercrombie and hollister don't shop there.

Jon

sorry i go by Natascha.Computer errors... or jon errors one of the three

Jon

sorry i go by Natascha.Computer errors... or jon errors one of the three

Jon

sorry i so by Natascha.Computer errors... or jon errors one of the three

Natascha

I HATE A&F!!! I think that we should put all the A&F followers on an island far far away and put one of the latest A&F shirts on the island and watch the fun.If we're lucky,they'll kill each other.And then e should bomb the island,just to make sure that there arn't any more.I realy hate A&F because it makes followers out of individuals (which is oh so totaly wrong)But this is just my opion...A&F sucks ass!!!!!

Natascha

I HATE A&F!!! I think that we should put all the A&F followers on an island far far away and put one of the latest A&F shirts on the island and watch the fun.If we're lucky,they'll kill each other.And then e should bomb the island,just to make sure that there arn't any more.I realy hate A&F because it makes followers out of individuals (which is oh so totaly wrong)But this is just my opion...A&F sucks ass!!!!!

Natascha

I HATE A&F!!! I think that we should put all the A&F followers on an island far far away and put one of the latest A&F shirts on the island and watch the fun.If we're lucky,they'll kill each other.And then e should bomb the island,just to make sure that there arn't any more.I realy hate A&F because it makes followers out of individuals (which is oh so totaly wrong)But this is just my opion...A&F sucks ass!!!!!

iloveabercrombie

oops! sorry about that! my computer is having technical difficulties. it won't happen again.

iloveabercrombie

Hey...I just went to an Abercrombie & Fitch interview yesterday and I was wondering if I'll get the job. I was wearing flat flip flops, a mini skirt, and a cute white top. Everything I was wearing was from Abercrombie & Fitch and was current and I am good looking. So I was wondering if the workers that posted a comment will think if I got the job or not. Thanks and God bless!

iloveabercrombie

Hey...I just went to an Abercrombie & Fitch interview yesterday and I was wondering if I'll get the job. I was wearing flat flip flops, a mini skirt, and a cute white top. Everything I was wearing was from Abercrombie & Fitch and was current and I am good looking. So I was wondering if the workers that posted a comment will think if I got the job or not. Thanks and God bless!

iloveabercrombie

Hey...I just went to an Abercrombie & Fitch interview yesterday and I was wondering if I'll get the job. I was wearing flat flip flops, a mini skirt, and a cute white top. Everything I was wearing was from Abercrombie & Fitch and was current and I am good looking. So I was wondering if the workers that posted a comment will think if I got the job or not. Thanks and God bless!

iloveabercrombie

Hey...I just went to an Abercrombie & Fitch interview yesterday and I was wondering if I'll get the job. I was wearing flat flip flops, a mini skirt, and a cute white top. Everything I was wearing was from Abercrombie & Fitch and was current and I am good looking. So I was wondering if the workers that posted a comment will think if I got the job or not. Thanks and God bless!

Jessica_ko

Recently, I went to Tuttle crossing mall's hollister and the general manager came up to me and asked if I needed a job. I thought it was kinda strange but I am assuming both stores AF and hollister do require a certain look to be an employee. I see more of a diverse racial mix at AF here in Ohio than in hollister stores. It was a surprise that hollister had approached me since I am asian american. I shop at both stores AF and hollister. I also walked into the AF store there and asked for an application. I also spoke with the hiring manager there too. She was very friendly, but may have since I was wearing all current abercrombie wear including flip flops *laughs* or maybe she thought I had what it took to be an employee. I dont think AF is racist but I think since it typically is a white brand they want someone who is attractive, laid back, preppy and some what looks white.

Kim

I was hird as a brand rep at AF and at my store in CA we do not have to wear the clothes. You can wear anything except something with another stores logo on it. And i dont find racism in the store i work at. When i went into work today, i was the only white brand rep out of the five of us that shared the shift.

Michael

I just want to say for all the ppl out there that dont like AF....go f*** yourself.you are just jealous because you cant work there.have you noticed whenever you walk into a clothing store (no matter what store) they look like they are wearing the clothes from there.so why does everyone hate on AF becuase they have guidelines for there brand reps?im sure gap doesnt want ppl working there thatdress like they came from hot topic...and vice-versa.so its just comon curtisy ppl,get a life.Also there is nothing sexual or discriminating about AF.they have plenty of different races in the store as well as the quarterly.so stop trying to start some shit and go shop some where else if you dont like it.

Michael

I just want to say for all the ppl out there that dont like AF....go f*** yourself.you are just jealous because you cant work there.have you noticed whenever you walk into a clothing store (no matter what store) they look like they are wearing the clothes from there.so why does everyone hate on AF becuase they have guidelines for there brand reps?im sure gap doesnt want ppl working there thatdress like they came from hot topic...and vice-versa.so its just comon curtisy ppl,get a life.Also there is nothing sexual or discriminating about AF.they have plenty of different races in the store as well as the quarterly.so stop trying to start some shit and go shop some where else if you dont like it.

Christopher

Hey everyone!

I just asked for an application for a job at A&F and they just told me to come back after 4 on the following Tuesday. She took my name, but never gave me an application. This just seemed odd. She didnt mention any type of group interview. I was just basically wanting a part-time job. Does A&F work with you about getting some weekends or night off pretty easily?

What are some good questions to ask them on Tuesday?