It still remains a topic of debate; whether work uniforms should be
needed or not. Ever since their existence, they have helped distinguish
employees of different designations and offices from one another. Another myth
that is prevalent is that uniforms are always boring and unflattering. They
hold back individuals to showcase their own personality and choice. On the
contrary, the second school of thought believes that they are an excellent means of advertisement
for the company or the brand they are affiliated with, and promotes
professionalism in the company. So, how can companies decide if they should go
for one or shouldn’t when faced with the dilemma?
It isn’t going to be as easy as flipping a coin and deciding. It
becomes a big investment decision when you have a workforce of more than a 100 people
working under you, calling for an in-depth study of its pros and cons. In this
article, we are going to do just that.
Starting With Their Positive Aspect
They advertise your
company: Whether they are going home on a train, are
attending training programs and workshops at other companies, or are
representing your company during an event, they are marketing you and your
brand through wearing a uniform. You will be noticed by your customers, even when
they are not thinking about engaging in business with you. As soon as they spot
you, they will remember your brand for the rest of the day, or life.
It makes for a good
professional impression: A smartly dressed employee
will be more approachable
and trustworthy to a potential customer. It immediately speaks of
professionalism and gives your employees an executive look. It builds a sense
of trust when a customer talks to a uniformed individual.
Helps workers feel united
and equal: When workers around you are wearing the
same uniform, they start to feel a sense of belongingness and equality. A
person coming from a higher status and a person from the slower slums, when
dressed the same, feel equal. Uniforms become their only identify in the work
premises. Wearing the same clothes makes workers feel an important part of the
company and also boost their team spirit.
They boost productivity: Research has proven that implementing a dress code is the
organization leads to better productivity. The reason for such a consensus is
that upon wearing a uniform, workers develop a professional mindset and get
engrossed in the work they do. To them, getting in the uniform means “it’s
time to work.”
Coming To the Off-putting Aspect
Restricted performance: When uniforms aren’t designed to offer the highest level of comfort
and ease, they can become a hindrance when working. In such a case, the uniform
may constrict the employee/worker to fully showcase and practice his/her
skills, affecting their output. For instance, making your salesgirls wear high
heels all day may cause extreme discomfort.
They may hurt the
sentiments of employees of a different religious sect: If your organization has a multilingual staff, designing a uniform
that doesn’t hurt their religion or ethical beliefs is often very hard.
When people from other ethnicities and religious backgrounds are forced to wear something that is not comfortable, they might start to feel unwelcomed or less important, which will ultimately show via their decreased productivity.
When people from other ethnicities and religious backgrounds are forced to wear something that is not comfortable, they might start to feel unwelcomed or less important, which will ultimately show via their decreased productivity.
Its feels like imposition: One of the most evident reasons why most employees hate a uniform
is that it feels like a forced imposition. It leaves no room for their own
identify to show, and often restricts them from doing so. No one really likes
to blend in as we all strive to stand out from others.
