Uniforms bring to mind workers like police officers, firefighters and factory workers
Nevertheless, company uniforms work in almost any work setting, including offices. Uniforms are available in different forms from a one-piece protective suit to a button-down shirt with the company logo embroidered on the pocket. Uniforms provide benefits for employees and the company to consider when deciding if uniforms are right for your business.
Consistent Appearance
When employees all wear a uniform it creates a unified image for the company. The staff is easily identifiable, a key factor for a retail situation where customers want to know who works there when they need assistance. The uniforms create a professional appearance and a set standard for customers and clients to expect to see. The uniforms also help create a sense of unity among the staff.
Advertising
Uniforms give your company more exposure, especially when the logo is on the shirt. Employees who stop at the store after work or wear the uniform to their children’s events after work create walking advertisements for the company. Over time, the uniforms become part of the company’s branding. Local residents begin easily identifying the uniform and associating it with your company. The attire could draw in new clients or remind existing customers to buy more products or services from you.
Dress Issues
Most work settings set a dress code for employees that specifies the type of clothing not allowed. If your dress code isn’t very specific or if you don’t enforce it, you may end up with employees pushing the limits and wearing inappropriate clothing. You also risk employees feeling the pressure to dress in high-end brands or to keep up with fashion trends to compete with fellow coworkers. Employees may use dress as a social status within the company. Uniforms make writing a dress code simple because you only need to specify how the uniforms are to be worn. You won’t face as many dress code violations with the uniforms. Employees may feel relieved that they don’t have to spend lots of money on a fashionable, competitive wardrobe.
Protection
A uniform adds an element of safety in a variety of settings. In industrial settings, uniforms provide physical protection through flame resistant materials and protection from chemicals and similar dangers. The uniforms protect employees’ own clothing from getting dirty or damaged during the course of work. You also add a layer of safety by making all employees easily identifiable. A person who isn’t wearing a uniform stands out as a potential intruder to the workplace. You are better able to identify these outsiders and ensure they are supposed to be there.
