Work uniforms are a great asset for many businesses. They help customers identify with the brand and ensure that the business is putting its most professional foot forward in terms of the people who are working directly with customers. In addition to the benefits they offer the business, they make managing a workforce a lot easier as well. If every employee is wearing the same thing, there is no need to worry about enforcing a dress code that says the employee should wear, “nice pants and a button-down shirt.” Who defines “nice”? One person’s idea of nice can be very different than the next person’s idea. Work uniforms are also a benefit to the employee. Gone is the need to decide what to wear to work. Your employees won’t have to worry about measuring up to their co-workers and they’ll be able to focus on their job, helping to make your business a success.
The key to having great-looking work uniforms is to design them with some flexibility in mind. Each employee doesn’t have to wear an identical golf shirt with khaki pants. In fact, being this strict, will result in having uniforms that look great on some employees and terrible on other employees. A person’s body shape plays a big role in how they look in clothing and items designed for super fit models are not flattering for every employee.
Providing fit and style choice within each garment category is very important to ensuring you have uniforms that help your employees represent your brand well. For example, for men: provide the option of golf shirts, short sleeve button up shirts and long sleeve button up shirts. If your brand allows for the choice of a couple of different colors, that’s even better. If the colors are the same for all the shirts and the logo is embroidered in the same color and is always sized and placed in the same spot, all the employees will look like they are wearing a uniform, even if they are wearing their choice of shirt. Add a pullover, sweater or jacket for cool days and your male employees should have what they need. The same goes for women, except, make sure to offer styles that are cut for women. Some companies have tried to cut corners and order men sizes for everyone, and it shows because the women look and feel uncomfortable in their uniform.
Uniforms styles vary based upon the industry or business you’re in. Healthcare uniforms are different than those you’ll find in a retail situation, just as manufacturing employee uniforms differ from those you’ll find on employees who work in financial services. Some styles have evolved over the years. Nurses in the mid 1900s certainly dressed much differently than they do today! In addition, the uniform styles available for many settings are actually quite fashionable. They are made with breathable fabrics that hang well and they follow current styles. You’ll find clothing choices in the latest colors and styles for both men and women, so your team will always be able to put their best foot forward for your company.
The cost for employee uniforms can vary widely depending upon your purpose and what you are supplying. If you supply an employee with a single shirt and expect them to wear it whenever they work, your cost is going to be minimal - under $25. On the other hand, if you supply uniforms for 5-6 days your costs are going to be significantly higher.
Another factor that will influence uniform cost is where your employees work. Do they do the majority of their work outdoors? If so, they’ll need outerwear that can protect them from the elements. Are you in a northern climate? Then you’ll need a warm winter coat for the outdoor work. Are you in an industry where safety wear is a part of the uniform? If so, you’ll also need to account for items like vests and hard hats.
As you can see there are many ways to approach work uniforms. Determining the reason for implementing them will drive the rest of your decisions and your budget. Many companies also do cost-sharing with employees. In this case, the company either supplies a minimum number of shirts or uniform pieces and the employee buys whatever else they want from the company store. Or, the company puts together a uniform package and pays for a certain percent of it and expects the employee to pay for the balance.
