Big box store makes employees wear branded capes to work: 'Humiliating staff to get more costumers'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Aug 24, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

Nobody likes a work uniform. If you, you're a true freak. You like doing the same thing every day, and you want things to be simplified like Steve Jobs. You want to know what you're wearing every day, so you eliminate one decision from your life. But the key difference between what Steve Jobs did and a work uniform is that Jobs decided what he would like to wear. He picked it out himself. He liked the outfit and looked good in it. That's a far cry from being forced to clock in and don a green apron every time you go to work at Starbucks. You didn't pick that shade of green. Maybe it doesn't look good on you. 

All you can hope for in these situations is that it's something basic and comfortable. It can be humiliating enough to have to deal with Karen customers and people who refuse to tip. You hope you get to look at least a little bit like yourself while you do it. But not all of us are so lucky. Some of us have terrible uniforms thrust upon us.

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  • That's what happened to some Walmart workers. While they clocked in to the country's largest employer, they saw something terrifying waiting for them. A uniform so embarrassing that it warranted being posted on the internet. Scroll on to see it and read what people thought. 

  • What is with employers trying to make workers look as ridiculous as possible?

    I'm quitting. agement is making us wear these capes I'm so ped
    via u/PositivelyDale
  • I feel like work uniforms are specifically designed to make customers see you as pathetic
    via u/PositivelyDale

  • Commenters had a lot to say about this choice.

    Flat-Pangolin-28472h ago If she has to wear a cape she should insist on a wizards hat as well
    via u/Flat-Pangolin-2847
  • thatguyaaron19 • 2h ago They could've saved the money from making those capes and given everyone a raise instead
    via u/thatguyaaron19
  • Oiseansl 2h ago Power and control
    via u/Oiseansl
  • Honky_Stonk_Man • 1h ago Capes will go away the first time a work comp claim is filed for a cape injury.
    via u/Honky_Stonk_Man
  • Panchenima · 1h ago NO CAPES!
    via u/Panchenima
  • Ceilibeag 1h ago . That's *exactly* what they're trying to do. They want compliant, obedient and fearful employees; and these costumes are a great way of getting rid of the 'troublemakers' and creating their desired workforce. Unionize; that's the only answer.
    via u/Ceilibeag
  • MikeRizzo007 • 2h ago And the Walmart family worth like 400 billion, a they test. their employees like this. Very sad!
    via u/MikeRizzo007
  • bksi 1h ago It's a frikkin' cape? Like how the heck is this supposed to help you do your job? I understand branded tshirts or only black pants but a cape?
    via u/bksi
  • You could come in with a sparkly dress and glitter face paint and carry a wand. Maybe get everyone else subjected to this to do the same. You may wish to look for another job.
    via u/bksi
  • Raven-Nightshade 1h ago Check your duties on your contract, does this cape cause a hazard when performing those duties? Contact the appropriate authority.
    via u/Raven-Nightshade
  • bigboatguy123 • 1h ago I worked at a grocery store once and Bernie Sanders was in my town and came in. He gave me a sticker that said something like "everyone deserves to be included". I was written up the next day for having unauthorized uniform modification because I placed it on my name tag.
    via u/bigboatguy123
  • Playswithsaws 1h ago . Burger King started doing "you rule." I assume to crib from CFA's "my pleasure." It was so bad even my kid felt bad hearing them have to say it 5 times in an interaction. I have not heard it recently so who knows if they gave up?
    via u/Playswithsaws
  • alexanderpas · 1h ago . Remember, being issued a cape is permission to run in the aisles, to let the cape fly.
    via u/alexanderpas
  • gudinn 2h ago Achieved level 99 customer service
    via u/gudinn
  • hXcmac007 · 1h ago • I'd lean obscenely way too into and become the wally world batman. Make a joke of it all but still win the customers hearts enough to where management wouldn't be able to cancel what I was doing. Maybe go viral in the process and gtfo of there
    via u/hXcmac007
  • Genoism_science • 1h ago Humiliating staff to get more costumers
    via u/Genoism_science
  • thesupplyguy1 58m ago AutoZone used to do some sh like this. Every Saturday morning they stand around and have to do this stupid cheer and say the customer is the best and record it and send it to their district manager
    via u/thesupplyguy1
  • naazzttyy .51m ago ...is he wearing a cape?
    via u/naazzttyy
  • Atophy 1h ago Thematics... you're a super team... you can do anything !!
    via u/Atophy
  • KC_Saber 1h ago It's likely for their amusement. Whatever they can do for shes and giggles
    via u/KC_Saber
  • AaronTuplin • 30m ago I can't wait for someone to close the cape in the door as they're going through and injure themselves and get a big fat lawsuit
    via u/AaronTuplin
  • thepianistporcupine 16m ago I worked at Walmart a summer back in highschool, many moons ago now. I refused to do the cheer or apologize to customers for doing nothing wrong. And I didn't get my stuff ready until after clocking in either. I had to wear a silly vest, but a cape? That's impractical and a step too far on the humiliation scale!
    via u/thepianistporcupine
  • . Thepuppeteer777777 • 1h ago They started wearing capes at my super market and I find it so god cringe.
    via u/Thepuppeteer777777
  • JadeWishFish 20m ago . Middle managers in America are just kindergarten teachers
    via u/JadeWishFish

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boss antiwork workplace-stories toxic-workplace job uniform bosses work coworkers working reddit story toxic-boss workplace reddit thread bad bosses Reddit toxic-work-environment
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