Sponsored by Prudential Overall Supply:
Employee uniforms are becoming more common in businesses across industries, and for good reason. Gone are the days of associating uniforms with only specific job functions. Today, everyone from corporate executives and consultants to manufacturing workers and retail staff are wearing uniforms.
The difference is that today, employees understand the benefits of wearing uniforms. They’re no longer seen as a form of restriction or punishment. Instead, uniforms can be stylish and liberating. But what are the benefits to your business if you require that employees wear uniforms? After all, uniforms cost money!
Here are five important benefits you should understand about employee uniforms, so you can decide if they’re right for your company:
1. Customer Service
It’s easier for customers to find employees when they need help if all of your staff members are wearing uniforms. Think of it this way. When you’re at a restaurant and need a server’s help or at a store and need an employee’s help, it’s much easier to get that help when you can actually identify the employees by their uniforms. It can save time and increase customer satisfaction when they can find the assistance they need quickly.
2. Free Advertising
When employees aren’t physically in the office or their employers’ brick-and-mortar locations, they’re continually promoting your business simply by wearing their uniforms.
Whether they’re stopping at the grocery store or gas station on their way home from work or going to lunch with coworkers, they’re advertising your business. Of course, that’s assuming their uniforms include your logo, brand name, and at least your phone number or website URL.
3. A Sense of Team
When everyone who works for you wears the same thing, it feels like every employee is an important member of a functioning team—just like members of a sports team.
When employees feel like they’re part of a high-performing team, they’re more likely to be productive and happier. To that end, uniforms can be an important, visual component of building strong teams.
4. Equality
When all employees have to dress in the same uniforms, there is a perception that everyone wearing that uniform is equal. Hierarchical levels disappear, which adds to the feeling of teamwork mentioned in #3.
The key is to make everyone feel equally important to the success of the company. Uniforms help to level the playing field and drive home the message that everyone’s effort matters regardless of job title.
5. Security
If your employees spend time on the road, visiting other businesses or people’s homes, then having them wear uniforms ensures that everyone knows who they work for and their purpose for visiting. This can help to keep your employees safer.
If they work in your retail store or other brick-and-mortar location where the public spends time, then uniforms can help to deter theft or other security issues that could end up putting people in danger or causing your business to lose money.
Uniforms or No Uniforms?
Only you can weigh the pros and cons of employee uniforms to determine whether or not you want to invest in them rather than relying on a dress code policy that can be difficult to enforce. The unfortunate reality is that someone will likely push the envelope and come to work in violation of the dress code one day. It happens all the time.
Remember, uniforms could be as simple as a golf shirt with your logo on it and a pair of black or khaki pants. They don’t have to be elaborate, and they don’t have to be uncomfortable or ugly. Shop around using providers like Prudential Overall Supply.
Also, get your employees’ input on what they’d be comfortable wearing, so they feel like they’re part of the decision-making process. It’s harder to complain if you helped make the decision!
Often, employers say uniforms are too restrictive and don’t allow for expression of individuality. However, when positioned effectively to employees, they just might see how liberating uniforms can actually be. After all, it’s a lot easier and quicker to get ready for work when you don’t have to think about what you’re going to wear.
Susan Gunelius
Susan Gunelius is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Women on Business. She is a 30-year veteran of the marketing field and has authored a dozen books about marketing, branding, and social media, including the highly popular Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing, 30-Minute Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing for Dummies, Blogging All-in-One for Dummies and Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps. Susan’s marketing-related content can be found on Entrepreneur.com, Forbes.com, MSNBC.com, BusinessWeek.com, and more. Susan is President & CEO of KeySplash Creative, Inc., a marketing communications company. She has worked in corporate marketing roles and through client relationships with AT&T, HSBC, Citibank, Intuit, The New York Times, Cox Communications, and many more large and small companies around the world. Susan also speaks about marketing, branding and social media at events around the world and is frequently interviewed by television, online, radio, and print media organizations about these topics. She holds an MBA in Management and Strategy and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).
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