A business’s front line employees represent the company not only through their service, but the way they present themselves. Treat your company uniform dress code as a way of making a lasting impression on clients and customers. By establishing a uniform dress code, employees will have their corporate clothing requirements clearly outlined and understood to achieve a higher level of professionalism and ease in their day-to-day workwear.
1. Listen to what your employees have to say
Your front line employees will be the ones following the dress policy each day, so it’s important to listen to their opinion. Understand what they feel comfortable wearing, if the uniform is assisting them or complicating their work, and their general attitude towards their work uniform.
2. Develop a purchasing and distribution plan
It is essential that before building the uniform dress code there is a management agreement regarding the purchasing and distribution of the work uniform. Will employees have to purchase their own uniform? Will uniforms be supplied to workers from the company? Can employees place their order at the workplace, or will they have to source it independently? Weigh up factors – such as finances, time, and a level of importance on uniforms – to implement a uniform dress code with a suitable method of supply.
3. Incorporate the company mission
Your corporate uniform and presentation of your employee is the visual representation of your company. It’s important to understand the company’s mission and vision and convey it through the way staff wear their uniform. The uniform dress code should state your company values, and proceed to outline a uniform that will represent them.
4. Construct an appropriate uniform
Understand the role of your employees to develop a uniform and code that serves the purpose of the work conducted. Depending on your company industry – labour, office work, professional wear – ensure that the uniform you request of your worker is suitable.
5. List recommendations
Outline examples and recommend components of the uniform to staff in your uniform dress code. Add explicit details – this can include appropriate and/or inappropriate clothing, colours, styles, accessories, and so on – so that employees have clear direction in how to dress according to the code.
6. Make it official
To successfully carry out a uniform dress code, ensure that all employees have read it and understand it. Take the time to formally address it with your workers and have them sign off on it to officialise their comprehension and agreement with it. More thoroughly, include a date in which it will be put into motion.
7. Make it accessible
Publish your uniform policy to multiple platforms so it is accessible to staff and other parties. Keep a hard copy in the office or workplace, email it to employees, even upload a copy to the company cloud system so that it can be accessed wherever, whenever.
Fiona Anchal, www.shirtstudiocorporate.com.au
