How to Solve the

5 Biggest Challengeswith Employee Uniforms

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Introduction Uniforms pay off big for brand giants and service-based companies with public-facing employees. In the service industry, uniform investments provide exponential ROI. Employee appearance directly affects the public’s perception of employee attitude, social status, social role, work ethic, and intelligence.

Employee appearance directly affects the public’s perception of employee attitude, social status, social role, work ethic, andintelligence.

Employee uniforms positively impact service experience by enhancing professionalism and brand recognition. Many customers believe that a company is more reputable and cares about its employees if they are fully uniformed. Uniforms give customers confidence in doing business with your company

As a bonus, employee uniforms are an inexpensive, yet impactful form of advertising. The aforementioned is a long list of the benefits uniforms provide service-based companies, but how can uniforms positively impact Fortune 500 companies in other industries?

Good Questions, Better Answers Your employees must be the focus of uniforms. An effective employee uniform program will create a positive impact for large companies. To achieve the highest ROI, understand the challenges and solutions available (scroll down for our solution-providing tips) before you start purchasing or renting uniforms.

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Youremployees must be the focus of uniforms.

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Below are five ways employee uniforms can positively change your business:

Boost Employee Morale: Uniforms provide employees with a sense of unity, which will improve internal relationships and productivity. High-quality, good looking, fashionable, and functional uniforms influence employees to maintain a positive attitude and high levels of output.

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Influence Professionalism: Uniforms help employees to step into their roles. Whether your employees are in the lab, in the warehouse, in the factory, or on the casino floor, uniforms influence their behavior to be consistent with the standards and goals established by your company. Uniforms instill confidence along with high levels of credibility and responsibility.

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Help Employees Save: Whether you supply uniforms or you offer your employees a discount on uniforms, uniforms will save employees money on work clothes. Employees will not need to worry about finding a way to afford appropriate high-quality clothes for work. Add on a uniform rental service, and you will also save your employees time and money on uniform cleaning.

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Keep Employees Safe: The right work clothes matter when it comes to safety. Flame-resistant, highly visible safety uniforms and PPE prevent injuries and accidents.4.Improve Security: Uniforms help employees and management easily identify who does and does not belong on job sites or certain types of work areas.5.

As you can see, the benefits for your employees evolve into long-term benefits for your company, but before your company invests in uniforms, we will help you understand the challenges.

The Big Five

Challenge:The wrong uniform will have a negative impact on your business by slowing employees down or causing hazardous working conditions.

Solution:Before you purchase employee uniforms, consider appearance, function, character, comfort, color, fit, construction, identification, materials, integrity, style, and performance. Prior to committing to a specific employee uniform, get your employees involved to make sure their uniforms will be comfortable and functional. Bonus: By involving your employees in your uniform decision, you give them a sense of empowerment that will decrease levels of resistance to employee uniforms.

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Challenge:Some employees resist wearing uniforms due to a sense of individualism.

Solution:Educate employees so they fully understand the reason behind the uniform requirement and explain how uniforms benefit them.

Challenge:Some employees may be uncomfortable with the uniform.

Solution:Invest in a uniform that will look good on all your employees regardless of their body types. When possible offer variations on style, cut, and color for your employees to choose from and focus on year-a-round wear ability.

Challenge:Understanding uniform functional needs. Are the jacket pockets large enough the equipment your employees need to do their job? Does the cut of the pants restrict movement? Are there unfinished seams that can cause irritation?

Solution:Proper uniform construction is key! Invest in uniforms made with fabrics that are durable and easy to clean. It’s worth it to spend a little extra money to avoid materials and construction that can cause irritation and make employees uncomfortable.

Challenge:Determining if your company should purchase or rent uniforms.

Solution:Grab your budget and crunch the numbers. If your priority is the short-term expenditure, uniform purchase is less expensive up front. Keep in mind that a uniform purchase will not include cleaning, repairs, replacements, cost-effective design options, and add-ons. Due to regulations in some industries, employees will not be able to launder their own uniforms. Be prepared - keep an extra cushion in your budget for these additional uniform ownership costs.

If your company is in a position to invest for the long-term, uniform rental is the better option. The investment beyond unit cost varies greatly between uniform providers so shop around. Read all the fine print before you sign a contract. With the right uniform rental partner, you will save more money with an all-encompassing service that includes add-ons, repairs, and replacement. Most importantly, rented uniforms keep your employees safe, comfortable, and consistently looking their best.

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Invest in a uniform that will look good on all your employees regardless of their bodytypes.

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6 Signs of a Uniform that Fits

The uniform influences employees to maintain a

positive attitude

The uniform accurately represents your company

The uniform accurately displays the employee’s job

The uniform provides year-a-round comfort because it’s tailored to fit and breathes

easily

The uniform enhances work performance and productivity

The uniform meets industry regulations and standards

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Industry Specific Uniform Benefits

In the Food Processing Industry, employee uniforms must meet strict guidelines including protocols from the FDA, USDA and HAACP. Employee uniforms, combined with proper uniform laundering, can transition easily between plants and operations while preventing chemical, physical, and biological hazards. Food Processing Uniforms help companies avoid human and financial losses.

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Food Processing Uniforms help companies avoid human and financiallosses.

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In Chemical and Safety Industries, employee uniforms ensure your company meets Federal and State regulations including OSHA requirements.

Personal Protective, Fire-Retardant, and Safety Clothing keep employees safe. When you shop, look for light-weight, comfortable, and durable Fire-Retardant uniforms with enhanced visibility. FRE uniforms are tested rigorously to ensure your employees will be protected. Personal Protective Uniforms and Equipment (PPE), lab coats, respirators, safety shoes, hard hats, gloves, aprons, and ear plugs keep employees safe when hazards cannot be removed from the work environment.

In the Manufacturing Industry, employee uniforms can move your company beyond blue shirts and blue pants. Employee uniforms provide choice in fit and style with well-known brands but most importantly, maximum durability. Manufacturing uniforms keep employees comfortable and safe while maintaining a professional look.

Healthcare Industry uniforms include scrubs, lab coats, nursing uniforms, and supplies. Healthcare uniforms help employees convey the professional appearance necessary to elicit trust from patients. Healthcare uniforms combined with proper uniform cleaning keep employee uniforms hypoallergenic, sanitized, HEPA and hospital/bio-ready by meeting Federal and State guidelines including EPA and OSHA regulations.

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In the Manufacturing Industry, employee uniforms can move your company beyond blue shirts and blue pants.

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The benefits for employees and your company’s bottom line are worth the time it takes to research a solution that meets your needs and fits yourbudget.

Conclusion While there are challenges to implementing an employee uniform program, the benefits for employees and your company’s bottom line are worth the time it takes to research a solution that meets your needs and fits your budget. Clean Rental is a leading uniform rental service company that provides excellence in every stage of operations: from customer uniforms to commercial cleaning, we are the first choice for Fortune 500 companies looking for the best value in a uniform solution. Contact us today for a free uniform consultation. “

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