Depending on the work environment you manage, there might be safety or professionalism requirements for the clothing that your staff wear. If you’re someone who is trying to figure out what employees should and shouldn’t wear or are charged with selecting workers’ uniforms, there are several things you might want to know about making a good choice that has a positive impact on staff and the work environment. The following will explore a handful of things you should know about workers’ uniforms.
Cheap Materials Contribute To Body Odour
One thing that not enough people talk about when it comes to selecting work uniforms is how poor materials can impact body odor. A study found that nearly 80% of people polled found that polyester clothing captured and magnified body odor smells more aggressively than cotton clothing did. Even after the clothing was washed, 24% still found a negative smell in the polyester clothing. For the sake of your staff and customers, avoid polyester; it also causes and traps sweat inside, contributes to the horrific microplastics problem in the world at the moment, and is nowhere near as comfortable as other materials.
Consider Brand
If your staff is going to be seen by customers or clients, it’s a good idea to consider the brand when you’re selecting workers’ clothing or uniforms. Some providers like Stock MFG even allow brands to create custom collaborations with them too. If you are trying to cultivate an experience for your guests that involves a particular aesthetic or feeling, you might want to expand your uniform search to a wider pool of more brand-focused options.
Staff Temperature
Another huge component of selecting the right uniforms for your work environment is to take into consideration the temperature that your staff is regularly interacting with. Sometimes the staff is running in and out of freezers into hot and sweaty environments. Sometimes they’re often popping outside to receive deliveries. Take into consideration their temperature needs as this can lead to lowered immune systems if ignored, which can result in sick staff members. In turn, a sick employee results in unhappy employees and understaffed days where people are stressed out of their minds trying to keep up). This might mean having seasonal uniform changes to help with winter and summer if you live in an area with a varied climate. As well, if your staff is comfortable, they’re more likely to feel cheerful and offer up a better guest experience. Beyond this, if staff is visibly sweating or shivering, the vibe is definitely diminished.
Don’t Forget Footwear
Shoes can be the difference between someone maneuvering safely in an environment or slipping and falling and getting injured. When thinking about unforms, be sure to consider what footwear requirements your staff will have for safety reasons.
The above tips should have given you a few things to think about when selecting uniforms for your staff. Of course, every workplace is different, and every job has different demands. Speak to your staff about their needs. Something as simple as sleeves that can roll up and be buttoned in place while still meeting aesthetic standards can result in clean cuffs throughout the day.