Businesses value diversity. Hiring different people from various backgrounds and cultures is a shrewd move. Not only does it provide more opportunities, but it increases the knowledge base. Having the same employees with similar ideas isn’t going to help the firm grow.
However, there are caveats, such as clothes. If it were up to the employees, then they would wear casual apparel all of the time. After all, it’s only a t-shirt and jeans combination – what’s the problem?
The issue is that something as small as a uniform can have ripple effects across the entire business. Here’s why it’s important everyone looks the same in the office.
Status
Schools have uniforms for this exact reason. They don’t want the poorer kids to get bullied because of the clothes they wear. Although it seems childish, it happens in the workplace too. The taunts aren’t as direct, but whispering behind someone’s back can be as uncomfortable as calling them names to their face. And, it all happens because of the shirt on their back. A uniform takes away this nasty office politic element as everyone has to don the same attire. If you take bullying seriously, then a uniform policy is essential.
Advertising
Employees aren’t always in the office. Depending on their schedule for the day, they might take in a meeting or go and have lunch with clients. As soon as they step out of the building, they are on show. Some bosses find this scary because what they say and do reflects on the brand. But, there’s no doubt that a uniform is a free form of advertising. People see it, recognize the logo, and put two and two together. Sure, nothing may come of it in the short-term, but it’s a numbers game. When you advertise the brand to a host of people, it will stick in some of their minds.
Help
Uniforms are not just for the company; they’re for the customers too. What they do is highlight the people who work for the business so then a customer can ask questions. Think of how many times you’ve been in a store and needed help. Didn’t the fact that a person on the floor wore a uniform make it easier? In essence, it’s added value. And, it isn’t only the supermarkets which use this trick as hospitals do it also. Men’s and women’s lab coats point out the experts for care purposes. Help is always something customers want when they choose a brand.
Health And Safety
Everyone deserves to go to work and not have to worry about their safety. Some workplaces are more dangerous than others, and that’s why they have a dress code. Go on to a construction site and everyone will need to wear a hard hat and steel toe-capped boots. That way, it should limit the damage if something falls from a height. Office-based roles won’t have much use for uniforms, but anything involving heavy machinery will.
Are you going to start dressing your staff in the same clothes?