Uniforms are a familiar sight in a great many different settings, and you are likely to see them anywhere concerned with health, education or retail. Many other businesses have looked to adopt them but have questioned whether this is still something that is worth doing.
However, when you talk to a lot of employees, it is clear to see that there are a lot of benefits to bringing a unform into a business, both for the customers, the owners and those who have to wear them.
In this article, Core Workwear take a look at the role of the workplace uniform and why there is still a place for them.
The role of the uniform
Traditionally, a uniform was brought into a business in order to make it easier to identify who was a member of staff and who was a customer. This is something which is still incredibly relevant today. Just picture yourself walking around a supermarket looking for help – it would be almost impossible to know who to approach if it was not for the striking company uniforms.
Uniforms have also served a functional purpose, as they have been created either to protect the clothing of the employee or to give them clothing which is practical for the role that they have. This might mean preventing spills in a restaurant, stopping smudges of products in a beauty salon or providing the pockets and protection needed to be a police officer.
Industries which are public facing are the ones which tend to be more inclined to introduce a uniform as it can play a massive part in brand identity, and so anyone working in sales or leisure will usually expect to have some sort of uniform as part of their job.
Dress codes
One big headache that employers and employees alike can face, is how to dress appropriately. Many will find themselves debating whether a dress is too short, whether their shorts are smart enough or whether the tie is too formal. In the UK, dress codes can be very confusing, with many people having their own interpretation of what smart/casual looks like or what is deemed to be appropriate. This leads to many employees not always being comfortable in what they wear, and many employers having to broach some uncomfortable conversations.
Having a uniform in place takes much of this hassle away, as everyone knows what the expectations are. Providing a uniform means that everyone is working to the same standards, and there can even be variations to accommodate the changes in seasons. It ensures that everyone in the business looks the part, whether it is meeting certain standards or being prepared for the role that they have.
Expense
You might think that when it comes to debating whether or not to bring in a uniform, that the only expense is in the hands of the employer, but this is not actually the case. For those without a uniform, they are highly likely to have a whole work wardrobe of things that they will only wear when at work, and this can prove to be an expensive business when you think of the number of different outfits that might be involved.
A recent survey suggested that the average yearly wardrobe cost for a teacher was around £600, whilst those working in construction and trades would spend in the region of £584 in order to buy specialist clothing and replace damaged items. Hospitality workers who find themselves in restaurants, cafés are bars seem to be spending £386 per year, while beauty therapists are forking out £348 per year in order to adhere to strict hygiene standards. Retail workers seem to have to lowest yearly clothing budget of £329 per annum if a uniform has not been provided, however many of these are expected to wear items from the brands that they work for which can push this number upwards for those in the luxury sector.
The expense of clothes can then be a big consideration for someone looking for a job, and it seems that workplaces offering uniforms can turn out to be a more appealing prospect.
Staff morale
Some employers have been put off from introducing a uniform because they are worried that staff will not like it, but it seems that the opposite is true. After taking away the expense and hassle of finding something to wear to work, employers are now also finding that employers are often proud of their uniforms and the sense of brand identity that it gives them.
There are studies which show that a good uniform can make employees feel happier at work by as much as 22%, particularly amongst those aged under 50. As a happy workforce is often more productive and has a stronger sense of loyalty, this can prove to be incredibly beneficial to employers.
As a uniform can also offer protection from the elements or things that your employee is working with, it can help to foster a sense of safety and security in their job.
Brand awareness
Of course, it cannot be forgotten that in many businesses a uniform can also be a walking advertisement. As it is likely to be in your brand colours and adorned with your company logo, your brand could be paraded in all sorts of places. This is because employees don’t just wear their uniform when they are at work, they wear it whilst doing the shopping before work or picking up the kids on the way home.
It is something that they could wear all day, and so it is likely to be seen by a huge number of people. This plays a massive role in any marketing strategy as it is a fantastic way to make people aware of your brand.
When looking from the perspective of an employee, it is clear to see that there are still a great many benefits to having a uniform, and just goes to show why so many people are still happy to wear one.
Ross Crayton is the Managing Director of Core Workwear who specialise in personalised and embroidered workwear.
