Deciding who needs a uniform in your business (and who doesn't)

Considering whether or not to implement a uniform in your business can be challenging, especially when visualising how that might actually play out within the company.

Will it help or hinder our brand? Is it really necessary to get the job done? What will our employees think? Then, of course, who specifically needs a uniform?

These are all valid questions to take into account before giving a brand new uniform the green light, and we're here to help you answer them. We've put together a few insights into the benefits of having a uniform, and finally, how to decide which roles require a uniform within your business.

Consider the benefits of a uniform

When you implement a uniform in a business, you want to be sure that it's going to deliver enough benefits to justify the cost. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways that uniforms work positively within a business - some of which you may not have yet considered.

Strengthen brand recognition

A recent Sawyer Business School study has shown that branding on a uniform actively enhances customer knowledge of a company and brand recognition, with 56.1% of respondents stated that uniforms are more effective than internet advertising. Who doesn't love a little free advertising?

Your uniform is an opportunity to express your company's brand and identity, and profile these to your customers. Your brand colours, logo and uniform fit speak volumes for your company. They make you look different, noticeable, and set you aside from your competitors.

Remember, your uniform doesn't have to be cookie-cutter. You can customise it to really differentiate your brand. Whether that's curating a bespoke uniform design from scratch or adding a thought provoking slogan on the back of your shirts - there are many ways to inject personality into your uniform branding.

In no time at all your uniforms will ensure greater brand awareness for your business and lift your profile in the marketplace.

You'll have stress-free employees

If you've ever been an employee in a corporation that doesn't have a uniform, you're probably already familiar with the pressure of pulling together a presentable outfit every morning. This can be particularly difficult if you're lacking funds at the time, or aren't confident in your sense of fashion.

A uniform levels the playing field for all of your employees. No matter whether you're a budding Tom Ford, or operate on a strong rotation of plain t-shirts, a uniform helps to take away the pressure of finding the perfect outfit for the job.

It'll also give you a little peace of mind. You'll know that every day your employees will turn up to work looking professional and dressed to impress your customers, and it will also help you avoid dealing with dress code violations.

Your customers will trust you

Believe us when we say it's important to create a lasting first impression. The first experience a customer has with your employees will shape how they view your company. A uniform will instill a sense of trust and credibility in your company and give the customer confidence in what you are able to deliver.

It's all about perception. When customers see uniforms, they associate it with professionalism and a sense of pride. Straight off the bat, they're more likely to put trust in your service and engage with you for advice and support.

A uniform also differentiates you from the competition and helps create a stronger brand awareness.

Meet your industry expectations

Of course, in a lot of jobs, uniforms are required in terms of functionality and performance. It's important to have a uniform in place that holds your staff to a certain standard.

For example, if you're business is a restaurant, you'll need a uniform that's comfortable and allows your staff to work in a hot, fast-paced environment under pressure. You'll also need a uniform that complies with the food safety standards in your industry - perhaps an apron, hat and slip-proof footwear.

It's important to also note that your customers have become subconsciously aware of your industry standards too. If they're accustomed to seeing people in your profession wearing a certain type of work wear, they'll question your proficiency if you're not.

So you're getting a uniform - who should wear it?

Once you've decided that the benefits of a uniform make it worth implementing, the next step is to decide who within your business should wear the new uniform. In some instances, the answer will be a blanket 'everyone', but with companies comprised of many different roles and hierarchies, this might not seem as straightforward as anticipated.

Solidarity goes a long way

There's a certain psychology that underpins wearing a uniform. It represents a sense of solidarity, unity and working towards the same cause.

A few companies feel that certain levels of employees in a hierarchical structure should have the benefit of lenience on uniform standards. This tends to have a negative effect on the other employees. If your workers feel that everyone, at every level, are subject to the same rules and dress requirements, it helps to create a sense of fairness and solidarity.

For the most part, we'd recommend that if you're going to bring in a uniform, it should be implemented across all staff members. As always, it's sound advice to lead by example. But don't stress, there are a few ways to achieve this!

Consider everyone's roles

Uniforms aren't always one size fits all, and we don't mean your belt size. Different roles might require different types of uniform for staff to perform these roles. For example, in a warehouse workplace setting, front-staff office workers may need a smart and presentable uniform with a logo, whereas back-staff may need hi-vis uniforms that meet health and safety regulations. Use your best judgement to decide who within your uniform needs which type of outfit.

If you've considered the above steps and decided that you'd like to provide your team with a uniform, we can help you out.