Have you ever seen a person on the street and immediately knew where they were working? This is because of their uniforms. The way they're dressed can say a lot about their workplace and what they do. Uniforms are a great way to stay safe, look professional, represent the company and keep all the employees equal. When people see the employees in uniform, they know they're dealing with a serious brand dedicated to their customers.
History of Uniforms
Uniforms have a long and broad history. They were around for a very long time. The oldest record of a work uniform dates back to the Middle Ages. Their first and main purpose in the past was to distinguish the workers from the rest of society. Later it was used to develop and encourage unity among the working-class citizens.
When it comes to profession-specific uniforms, the earliest recorded example was in the 1700s when a post office in England had workers wear brass tickets visible on their clothes. As the Industrial Revolution began, it had a big impact on career choices. As people were massively employed in every developing industry, the need for creating uniforms for each specific workspace depended on the tasks they had to complete.
As times changed, so did uniforms. They developed, evolved and became associated with different professions. Chefs, pilots, construction workers, and lawyers, became recognisable just because of the way they dressed. Nowadays, a lot of companies and businesses have employee uniforms and use them as a subtle way to promote their business and to create an image of a professional and serious company.
Benefits of Wearing Uniforms
Professionalism
If you want your new business or brand to appear professional, keeping up a good image is crucial. Even new booming business needs an eye-catching uniform that will look professional. If you want your employees to be presentable, provide them with a classic and elegant uniform in black. Besides their body language and conversation skills, their appearance can make a difference.
A carefully considered staff uniform supports your positioning in the market and your brand strategy. When a customer sees a well-dressed employee, they immediately create an image in their head. An image of a well-behaved, nice, professional, trustworthy employee. This will give you a big advantage in the market with so many competitors.
Productivity
There was a lot of research about the impact of a work uniform in a workspace. Every one of them proved that wearing a uniform at the workspace increased productivity. The main reason for this is because it creates a professional mindset among workers. People were becoming more interested and focused on their tasks. This is a nice and subtle way to increase productivity without being a harsh employer.
In addition to giving your workers a sense of security, uniforms draw a clear distinction between professional and social wear. People will know what’s the difference between a professional set of clothes and what to wear at social gatherings outside of work. To make things even better, give the employees a chance to choose some segments of the uniform, like the colour or the cut. This will include them in the process and make them feel appreciated (which will only be beneficial for the business).
Trustworthy
When a potential customer sees the employees in uniforms it creates a sense of trust and credibility. Let's say for example you enter a store that sells sporting equipment, and you see the employees wearing the runners and tracksuits they sell. You’ll probably think that if that’s their working uniform, the clothes and shoes they sell should be good. Subconsciously, you’ll think that if they had time to dress them in uniforms, they had time to train them to understand that business.
Advertising
As your employees will wear your uniform with the brand’s name on it, every person who sees them will see the name of your company. This really helps in bringing people to the brand and exposing the company to the public without being overwhelming. Besides being one of the most effective forms of advertising, it’s also cheap.
To create a brand image, keep in mind factors such as a recognisable logo, bright, vivid colours and design. Keep it simple and bright. Those things are easy to spot and to remember. A combination like this will make the employees stand out in the crowd and the people will recognise and remember the logo when they see it next time.
Equality
Every person on your staff should feel the same. They should be viewed as one and equal. Everyone should be treated equally while working for your business, regardless of their financial situation. So, whatever one's background is, a work uniform is a great tool to unite people on one platform. You can wear a uniform in black, grey, blue, or green, it doesn’t really matter as long everyone is dressed the same.
How to Choose the Right Uniform for Your Workspace?
It might be challenging to choose the first uniform for your employees. However, if you know what you’re looking for, it shouldn’t be an issue. The number one thing to think about is comfort. This is key if you want your staff to feel happy at work. They should be able to move around freely and not experience any restricted movements.
This includes cosy and breathable materials that will allow airflow and prevent them from sweating. Choose a colour that can complement any skin tone. Black workwear for example is a classic choice that looks good on everyone. You can take a risk and go with blue, grey, green or even something brighter. Choose a style that fits the brand. If you’re a finance company go for a more elegant suit and tie look.
If it’s a casual coffee business, you can go for a tee and some trousers. The uniform should fit everyone perfectly. Ask your employees about their clothing and shoe sizes and order the uniforms in those sizes. Always have a few in the back as a backup in case of an accident. Overall, choosing a uniform isn’t complicated. Stay true to the brand and make sure your employees look good and presentable.
