10 office uniform guidelines to ensure your investment pays off

A work uniform is an investment for any company, and one that can be rather expensive. So many of these companies spend all this money on uniforms, but neglect the fact that they need to teach their staff how to wear it or style it. That is why it is so important that companies take the time to ensure that theirworkwear investment pays off by putting office uniform guidelines into place.

It is essential that employees are told what to wear, and how to wear it, and this can be easily accomplished in a uniform guideline and/or uniform policy in the workplace.

Below are 10 office uniform guidelines to ensure that your company uniform investment pays off:

1. Provide staff with a full uniform

There is no point purchasing distributing a company shirt, but not giving any direction on what to wear it with. Avoid inconsistency by supplying either a full uniform, or just one item of clothing with explicit details on what to wear it with.

2. Shoe policy

Detail footwear which is appropriate or not appropriate for daily work duties.

3. Accessory policy

Similarly to a shoe policy, outline which accessories are appropriate for work, and give examples of what is a reasonable amount of accessorising for work.

4. Fit

Ensure that uniforms are not ill-fitting (either too tight, too big, and so on). Avoid extra expenditure in buying multiple uniforms to find the right size, and instead invest time in collecting proper measurements before making a uniform order.

5. Outline the general style

What is the message you are trying to convey through your uniform: professional? Casual? Does your uniform require a safety aspect? Make your employees aware of why they are wearing the uniform and how they should be wearing it.

6. Tattoo policy

Ensure that staff are aware if there is a policy regarding the visibility of tattoos.

7. Consistency

A professional, clean uniform is one that is consistent. Distribute uniforms that are exactly the same, and if replacing uniforms, make sure that everyone within the company has the updated version.

8. Implement a uniform schedule

Outline to employees a uniform timetable that specifies which daythey need to wear what uniform. This can include Casual Friday’s, themed days and so on.

9. Seasonal wardrobe

If your company features different uniforms throughout the year, provide employees on details of the seasonal uniforms and aspects of it that are appropriate to wear.

10. Address the uniform as a team

Communication is key, so aim to meet with your team quarterly and discuss the uniform. Hear what employees have to say about it, assess if it is serving its purpose, and make changes and adjustments accordingly.

Fiona Anchal, www.shirtstudiocorporate.com.au