5 Reasons Staff Uniforms Should Be an Employee Decision

By Dean Schwartz – Let’s face it – most staff uniforms suck. Chunky, poorly-fitted polo shirts and weird hats or visors decorate the landscape every day for all kinds of businesses. Is there a rule that says they have to be that way? At SOBO Concepts, we think the answer is an emphatic no. Our opinion doesn’t matter though. Want to know who you should ask? Your employees. Here’s why.

One. Your employees are the ones who have to wear them. And as we said before, a poor fit or a stuffy fabric is bound to create an immediate issue. “Ugh, we have to wear that?” You can still have professional looking uniforms without compromising comfort and style. If your employee feels cool and comfortable in the uniform, chances are they’ll be more focused and at ease with doing their job – as opposed to silently cursing you for making them wear a goofy outfit.

Two. Your employees know what fits right, and that’s important because many different body types make for many different fits. Granted, you need to set certain standards – limits on bagginess, no sleeves past elbows, etc. – but the most suitable fit for a specific employee’s body type should be left to them. They’ll thank you later.

Three. Flexibility in color scheme. Your branding scheme likely has two to three colors from which to pick; and if so, why not allow your employees some flexibility in their preference while showcasing the full range of your branding color scheme? In fact, preferences in color among your employees may also reveal some helpful insights about your overall branding scheme moving forward. But again, they’ll appreciate the chance to decide for themselves.

Four. Functionality. Before pre-selecting the office and/or store wardrobe, ask your employees how they believe it fits with their job duties. For example, if you run an Italian restaurant and your employees occasionally get sauce stains, they may help to uncover that white aprons may not be ideal. There are several other examples along that vein as well. But who knows best? In this case, your employees.

Five. Pride and Team Unity. If an employee has a say in what they’re wearing, guess what? They already feel like they have a hand in the process of helping your business succeed. As a result, they’ll likely go the extra mile for you when it matters most. On a larger scale, it aids in team unity, provided each member had a chance to provide input toward the overall process. You may not see it as significant; but they will.

The best part? SOBO Concepts can work with you and your team to produce something memorable, wearable and on-point with your branding. It’s not something that everyone can do, and we take pride in the fact that our track record speaks loudly toward our ability to do this better than most. David’s Café. Sushi Maki. Many more. Getting the point? Give us a call today!