This is the first post in a series, Uniforms 101, where we’ll help guide you through the basics of uniforms and uniform programs.
Are you thinking about implementing a uniform program in the workplace? Here are just a few of the many benefits:
IMAGE
You’ve heard it before – image is everything. The look that employees portray is of utmost importance to your business. A uniform program ensures that staff members maintain a professional, unified appearance, which translates into a higher perceived value of your product or service. Uniforms provide an excellent opportunity to brand your business and promote your company image, and not just in the workplace. Think about it, your employees are often in uniform outside of office – whether they’re stopping at the grocery store on their way home or having lunch out, it all means more exposure for your business. Additionally, uniforms have a positive impact on employee pride and confidence, which increases overall morale and fosters a better work environment – something customers are sure to notice.
PERSONNEL SAFETY
The safety of your employees is something you take seriously. Outfitting your team in the appropriate garments for the job helps ensure their protection against anything that may come their way – from soil and chemicals to the elements. Additionally, regulations from OSHA and ANSI may require employees wear specific garments in certain environments; a uniform program helps make sure everyone is compliant. Another important issue is general safety. Uniforms help make your employees quickly and easily identifiable, increasing the security level of your workplace and customer peace of mind.
PRODUCT SAFETY
Many work environments have conditions where certain types of uniform garments are necessary for the safety of the product being produced. For example, in the food processing industry, grippers (snaps) should be used in place of buttons since buttons can fall off and end up in the product. Knit cuffs are preferable to ensure arm hair doesn’t contaminate the food and garments without pockets help reduce the risk of potentially hazardous items being brought into the work area.
Another example would be an environment where the finish of a product could potentially be damaged (automotive, appliance, furniture, etc.). In this situation, shirts should have covered plackets so buttons aren’t exposed and jeans should not have rivets, as they could scratch the products.
UNIFORMS: THE RIGHT CHOICE
Image, personnel safety and product safety are just a few of the many advantages of having a uniform program in the workplace. If you’d like to explore uniform options for your business, visit redkap.com to find a distributor or rental laundry near you.
