There are just a handful of questions in the world of business that just do not seem to go away. There’s simply too much debate and disagreement to get an accurate viewpoint that is shared by the majority. One of those is the age old question of ‘should your business have a uniform for employees?’ it’s one of the most highly contested ideas and there are battle lines drawn in the sand with two opposing sides. The modern entrepreneur says no a business should not try to give their employees some kind of dress code. It’s not about how you dress but what you say and think as an employee that matters. Then there is the route of thinking that suggests some businesses should be using a uniform for their employees to look more professional, easily identifiable and also it solves many problems such as some people dressing sloppy or covering up tattoos and just generally looking smarter. Where you fall on this subject really depends on whether or not you actually know what a uniform can do you for business and if you actually want those things. It isn’t just about the image of your business, but also the attitude of your work environment. How you come off to customers regarding dress code is perhaps the most important aspect.
Don’t scoff at it
Whatever your opinion on uniforms is you shouldn’t turn your nose up at the idea just because you didn’t grow up in the era when most employees for businesses wore one. Indeed there are current generations that would like to see employees wear whatever they want because they don’t see it as a big deal. That’s okay but don’t become one of those people that do something that is the opposite of their grandfather or father just because you want to be different. There can be a numb rebellious attitude that sinks into the modern entrepreneurs who would just like to set themselves apart from previous generations and sometimes how or why doesn’t even matter to them.
In the office or outside?
Maybe the most widely held view is that in the office where it’s just employees working together and there are no clients or customers, then a uniform is not necessary. However, if you’re in public during working hours then a uniform has several benefits. In the office you can’t really tell who is what. Essentially, if you walked into a room full of people on their computers and phones working, could you even tell who were the directors of departments or the managers among the regular employees? For some people that isn’t an issue because employees will be working together and names and faces of important positions will have authority automatically. Yet what happens when your business becomes so large that you have hundreds or thousands of employees? Would it best to incorporate some kind of dress code for the senior members of staff so people knew just by looking at them? It would be a way to recognize an authority figure whether you needed help with something or otherwise.
Moreover, if you’re outside among the public, wearing a uniform will get your employees recognized as working for you or rather your brand image. That’s a great and easy tool to use, as your employees can become some kind of walking advertisement for your business. However you don’t want employees that are wearing your uniform to misbehave either as it can damage your public image. Somebody wearing your colors and logo on their chest having a fight with someone and it being uploaded to social media, is a bad day at the office in many ways. It makes more sense to have a uniform for employees that are in the public eye for most of their working day, than for an average worker in the manufacturing facility or sat at their desk in your office.
The best time and place
Uniforms might be best worn at the right time and place instead of for an everyday scenario. Going to a business exhibition or featuring a booth or stand at a business conference? Then this is the best time to wear some kind of uniform or items of clothing that are recognizable as your brand. One of the more subtle ways to showcase your brand and your employee is to buy lanyards that are worn around the neck. These can hold ID cards or exclusive passes for events, and they instantly show a customer that this person is working for your business. It’s crucial to get your own made in your exact color scheme and logo. Visit a company like CustomLanyardsCanada that can make them for you to your liking. No design is impossible as you can make your lanyard from scratch on their website and order however many you need. They aim to deliver your order no matter how large it is within 5 days upon ordering. So if you have left it late and you’re soon to go to an event, you might be able to factor these in if you book in time. They have dealt with large companies such as Samsung, Google and Adidas to name a few so they are known for their professional product. It’s a simply accessory for your employees to wear and show those walking by who they work for.
Disadvantages of uniforms?
There’s a lot of people that are on the side of the uniform as the benefits vastly outnumber the disadvantages in their eyes. However there are also good reasons held by people against the uniform that you should consider. For one thing it does somewhat mean that an individual is unable to dress how they want to which could be annoying to some people. The uniform has to be kept in good condition also, as you cannot just wear it and think you have done what is asked of you. A sloppy, ripped and stained uniform is worse than not wearing the uniform. Some people also don’t like the pressure that comes with wearing a uniform as you do have to be on your best behavior all the time while you’re in the public domain or even in the office. It does bear some kind of financial impact on those wearing it because most companies will take the cost of the uniforms out of their employee’s salary. Uniforms can look dull as many businesses go for the safer option and stick to a simple design. If you would like to be seen as a cutting edge company, then a uniform that looks cool would great help you as opposed to wearing something basic.
It can promote team qualities
If you are among a sea of people, customers for example. As an employee you know that you are vying for their attention and business. So when you’re wearing a uniform and you see other people who are wearing the same clothes as you there can be a distinct separation of the crowd. You feel as if you’re part of a team and you know what your opposition might be. A uniform can promote a sense of belonging in some people, and camaraderie. Wearing the uniform of a business that you believe in, value the work that you do and the aims you share can issue someone a sense of pride. When employees are surrounded by customers and clients, maybe people who aren’t interested in who they are of what they do, looking as if you’re part of the same team can get people to work closer with each other when the going gets tough.
The psychological impact
Much like how executives and many other senior figures wear a business suit when going to work, putting on a uniform can engage a different mentality. When you put on your clothes of work, you are switched on or become someone else. You’re essentially ‘on duty’ and you mentally go through a transformation that signifies your mind switching to a goal-oriented manner. It can change your attitude and demeanor to wear a uniform, entering into another world and thinking differently as opposed to how you are outside of work. Many people who are police officers can attest to this as their mentality often changes to being more aware, alert and driven when they put on their badge and vest. For employees this could do much the same for them. They might be mischievous outside of work and not really focused on anything but when they get up in the morning and put on their clean uniform, they know it’s time for business. Even the most boisterous jokers can become serious when they put on the colors of their company and feel as if they have an objective to complete while wearing it. The psychological impact a uniform can have, must not be overlooked. In fact, it can be the most important and beneficial trait that it can bring.
Are uniforms dead? Yes and no is the answer. For some newer generation entrepreneurs, uniforms don’t hold water and they don’t make sense cost-wise. However, for many companies, they see uniforms as a way to establish a brand, focus minds on the job at hand every workday, and also essential for when going on business conferences with a team.
- This post has been written by an outside source – See Disclosure Policy
