If your workplace has never previously had corporate clothing or a dress code, introducing one can be tricky. Not only may some employees be resistant to the change, knowing what will and won’t work for the types of tasks they complete can involve some trial and error. The introduction of a corporate uniform, however, is ideal if you want to ensure that your employees are professionally dressed at all times and will give off a positive impression of your business.
We understand that choosing an appropriate uniform can pose quite the challenge. Today, corporate attire needs to be versatile so that it can be worn by many different employees, in different climates and at varying positions within the hierarchy of the business. There is very rarely a one-size-fits-all approach that will meet the needs of everyone. As such, there are a handful of things that you need to consider when introducing clothing to your workplace:
Involve employees in the decisions
The best way to stimulate enthusiasm for corporate clothing is to involve your employees in the process. Ask them what garments they’re likely to find useful and which they really don’t want to wear. Get their thoughts on the additions. By involving them in the decision process from the very beginning, they will have a degree of ownership in the decisions made.
Choose garments people actually want to wear
There is no point in choosing clothing that no one is going to wear – it’s a waste of your time and resources. If your workforce is predominately male, don’t bother too much with skirts or dresses. This goes for the colour and design of the garments as well as what they actually are. No one really wants to wear all over hot pink, for example.
Choose garments that are comfortable
Keep in mind that corporate uniforms can be made from a variety of materials in this day and age, but they are not all created equal. Some materials are known to be quite breathable, whereas others can quickly feel stifling in warm conditions. Some materials are also soft on the skin, whereas others are scratchy and can even lead to rashes.
Choose garments that are appropriate
You need to ensure that the corporate clothing you have selected is appropriate for the types of tasks your employees undertake on a day to day basis, as well as appropriate for their own sense of modesty. You wouldn’t require female employees to wear skirts or dresses, for example, if they spent most of their day up ladders.
Corporate clothing or a dress code is central to a businesses’ image, so must be strongly ingrained in its culture. Once such a policy has been adopted, it must be enforced to maintain consistency and give the uniform a chance to actually do its job (of ensuring that employees are professionally dressed and give off the desired impression). It may take your employees some time to accept the clothing change, but they will be better off in the long run.
