“Timing is everything!” I’ve said it, you’ve said it, and it’s one of those adages that constantly rings true. You’ve probably been told that if you do something too quickly, you might not have been thorough enough or gained enough information to make the right decision. On the other hand, if you wait too long to do something, then you’re a poor decision-maker because you can’t act quick enough.
The same can be said when deciding on the right time to implement a uniform purchase program for your company employees. During many of our consultations with clients, we often find them struggling with questions of timing. Sometimes they feel as if they waited too long to start a purchase program, and other times they’re wondering if they need to wait longer.
Below are some reasons to consider that will help you determine if purchasing a uniform program is right for you.
The most obvious reasons to start any type of program designed to benefit employees, is to keep them safe, build workplace efficiency, or maybe even employee morale.
While safety is not as much of a priority for some companies, it is paramount for others in particular industries. One such industry is energy and if you’re in the energy field, you know what I’m talking about.
In the oil and gas E&P sector, your operation employees are on drill sites and usually around moving equipment or hazardous conditions. They’re working on compressors that move the gas that is pulled from the ground. This environment qualifies for a uniform program due to the safety requirements on the worksite.
Because your employees could be exposed to flash fires, they need to be in flame resistant garments. These garments resist open flames long enough to keep the wearer from getting severely burned and are critical in these types of industries.
To learn more about the standards that regulate what is to be worn in the industry, check out the Bulwark 70E and 2112 guide.
While some companies might have a number of employees that are never seen by the public (think customer service call centers, technical support, etc.), they might have divisions of people who are “out in the field.” These employees interact with the general public and are the face of your company. Being that these employees are public facing, your brand should be well represented on them. They should be dressed in a way that both allows them to do their job and helps the public to identify them as a member of your company’s team. A great example of this, is Georgia Power, a regional electrical utility company, based in Atlanta. Georgia Power has a dedicated page, detailing what you can expect when one of their service reps is in your community.
The public should feel secure if your employees are working in their homes, neighborhoods and workplaces. If your company is starting to put employees in the public eye, starting a uniform program is a great idea.
Companies of all sizes started somewhere. They probably began with one person or a few people wearing many hats to get the job done – think startup. Unless safety is a concern, there probably isn’t a need for a uniform in those early stages.
However, you will find those startups, who want to make a name for themselves and realize branded apparel helps people ask what they do, too. But as a company grows, employees are added to the roster to accomplish tasks that used to be done by the founders.
Now that more employees are being brought into the group, it’s a good idea to consider starting a uniform purchase program. Having all of your employees in a uniform provides them with the feeling of inclusiveness and pride in their company. This only extends the reach of your brand as customers will LOVE working with your happy employees, similar to the way you may feel about your favorite sports team!
An obvious answer would be when a company reaches a point where they are able to allocate a line in their budget for such expenditures. As your company increases its revenue, it might be a good time to see where discretionary dollars are being spent. Budgeting a particular amount for employee uniforms can pay dividends in the long run for some of the reasons we’ve touched on above.
And while your employee uniform purchase program is seen as a line item expense, realistically it will become an investment into your company and your employees. You might be asking yourself, how specifically is the program an investment? The short answer, the uniform purchase program will likely pay for itself in a number of ways and over time you could see more brand exposure, employee retention and engagement, etc.
Do you feel as if your company is ready to invest in a uniform purchase program for your employees? While these are not the only indicators that you’re ready to start a uniform purchase program for your team, if you’re experiencing any of the above then there is a good chance you’re closer than you think. If you’re ready to discuss further how our solution could provide value for you, schedule a free consultation with us and we’ll be happy to help.