Is it essential to wear uniforms at work?

Uniforms, whether corporate or industrial uniforms, strengthen the structures of any organization in today’s society. The importance of wearing uniforms at work is not just limited to building brand awareness, it can also be functional, as in the case of workwear. If you don’t see uniforms as a way to protect employees and further establish your brand could be an easily missed business opportunity. Below are more reasons why work uniforms are important and how they can benefit customers, employees, and your business.

Benefits of workplace uniforms

Business opportunity

For better or for worse, society tends to judge people by the way they dress. Choosing the right employee uniform can instantly create a professional business image that will attract and  retain customers.

Save your employees time and money.

How often do you look in your closet and find nothing to wear? Workwear automatically eliminates this problem for you. Employees can save time and money with company-provided uniforms. When employees have free range to dress on their own, they often break the dress code in place, or perhaps just push it to the limit. A uniform program ensures control over your company’s apparel, and image. This means knowing your employees will arrive to work and look put together and professional. And since you don’t have to worry about what outfit you need to wear every morning, uniforms can cut down on time getting ready in the morning too. Uniforms set the image your company is trying to achieve all while making things more convenient for employees.

Provides employee protection

In some cases, uniforms help promote a culture of safety and protect workers from harm. Jobs that carry a higher risk of injury often require uniforms that take these dangers into account. By providing the appropriate clothing, such as hard hats or slip-resistant boots, businesses can protect against injuries and the potential lawsuits that could result.

Walking advertisement

This is perhaps the most common and important reason for a company to employ the use of workwear. A uniform is a walking advertisement for a brand and an inexpensive way to promote it.

Distinguishing employees

Factors like a unique logo, vibrant colors, and design collectively help form a brand image and make your employees stand out and be easily recognized. It also helps in providing a good customer experience.

A professional image

Workwear helps employees maintain a professional look. It helps instill a sense of pride and responsibility and can turn employees into “brand ambassadors” outside of the actual workplace.

What to Consider When Choosing Work Uniforms

Find out if your industry has any uniform laws

Depending on the type of business you run, there may be some rules and regulations that you need to follow to when it comes to your employees’ uniforms. For example, do they work with dangerous chemicals or machinery? If so, you may have a legal duty to ensure that all reasonably practicable steps are taken to protect the health, safety, and welfare of your workers. And this includes providing them with any necessary personal protective equipment and general safety wear that they might require on the job.

Taking into account different body shapes and sizes

Sizing employees prior to supply ensures correct fit, helping to avoid restricted movement and minimizing rubbing or chaffing. This means that workers are happy to wear our flame retardant workwear or hi-vis clothing for long periods of time without complaint.

Consider the job requirements and risk levels of your employees

It’s important that your staff look professional and put-together, but you’ll also want to ensure they’re comfortable and able to complete their work to the necessary standards. This means you’ll need to consider the requirements of each role so you can provide them with clothing that’s going to be suitable.

Chances are, you’ll also want your staff uniforms to vary from person to person, and this is for a number of reasons. Firstly, you’ll want your customers to be able to differentiate between people with different jobs so they can easily work out who to go to with any particular questions or problems. Plus, as different roles will have different requirements, you’ll want to take this into account.

Branding should be considered

Be sure to consider how your chosen uniforms will look with your company’s specific branding, including logo and colors. If you already have existing branded clothing, your uniforms should stay consistent. Keep your brand cohesive across all channels.

Your company uniforms are a reflection of your business. Give people the best impression of your company by choosing the right uniforms.

Choosing the right fabric

The fabric you choose depends on the industry you work in. There are often health and safety regulations that you need to consider before finalizing employees’ uniforms. 

If you lead a team of employees who work outdoors, you can choose a more durable and protective material. These uniforms should offer a certain degree of protection, while also being durable as they will likely be exposed to various weather conditions. Softer materials will not work in this environment, so keep this in mind if your employees work outside.

Durability

Work uniforms are an investment; therefore, you should make sure they’re durable enough to handle what your employees will put them through every day. Including quality workwear in your uniform program will ensure that you’re always within your budget and also save you from searching for another company that can provide better uniforms.

Prioritizing safety

Regardless of the type of business you have, the safety of your employees should always come first, When choosing between different types of uniforms to consider the garment’s safety levels. Your company uniforms must meet all the relevant safety standards applicable to your business industry.

Feeling comfortable

Your employees will be wearing their uniforms all day every day, so comfort should be a top priority. The comfort of a uniform is directly related to employee performance and morale.  If a uniform is itchy, doesn’t fit well, or is unattractive, your employees won’t want to wear it every day.

Choosing the colors

Always choose the right colors and fabrics for your employees’ uniforms. If writing with your brand image, you can go for bright and eye-catching colors that will definitely draw attention. However, remember that the style and the design you choose should fit in perfectly with the industry you are in. Try to find the perfect accommodation, especially if you want to mix and match specific colors. This is also important when you want to have your uniforms customized for specific employees.

Costs

Your purchase is always important when it comes to purchasing new clothes. Although you can always compromise on style, you should never compromise on safety and functionality.

If you have to replace your employees’ work wear from time to time, you don’t have to do them all at once. Divided into groups, and bought new uniforms for one group at a time. This will help to spread out expenses and everyone knew uniforms to work with.