Building a summer uniform
If you’ve ever packed incorrectly for vacation, you know what it’s like to suffer through a hot day in long sleeves and thick pants. It’s not a great feeling. However, if you only have one all-season uniform, your employees may be having a similar experience. Don’t let sun, sweat or heat stop your employees from looking their best. Adopting seasonal uniforms can be a big decision (and investment), but SITEX is here to help you along the way!
Building a summer uniform starts from the top. We’ve already outlined the benefits of hats in our previous blog post, but caps are superstars for warm weather. They will help shield your employees from the sun, keep glare out of their eyes and help keep them cool through temperature regulation. Even if you don’t want to adopt an entirely new uniform, adding a hat option is an inexpensive way to address your employees’ needs.
If you are located in areas with a more noticeable summer shift, a more pronounced shift in your uniform is also necessary. Uniform companies often carry short-sleeved versions of the same shirts you love and cropped pants that are durable and professional looking specifically designed for company wear. By planning ahead for the summer, you can ensure that your employees continue to present a uniform front to customers and don’t resort to wearing personal clothing in order stay comfortable and remain focused on their task. However, the decision on whether to go to a short-sleeved shirt and shorts version of the uniform, or to switch to a lighter fabric weight and color, has two factors–exposure to sun and exposure to hazardous conditions.
If your business involves long hours outside, with little protection from UV rays, it is actually recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation to cover as much skin as possible instead of just relying on sunscreen. But to accomplish your summer uniform goals of employee comfort, switching to a summer ready long sleeve uniform is still key. Lightweight cotton or poly blend in a white or pastel color, can help reflect the sun’s rays as well as provide key ventilation.
Additionally, if your employees work in construction, manufacturing or automotive, there are safety concerns with exposed skin. Even inside, temperatures can spike during the summer months, leading to sweaty hands and brows (a safety concern) as well as risk of heatstroke and dehydration. For industries such as these, seeking out uniforms with specifically placed ventilation areas and in lighter colors can ease your concerns for your employee’s welfare.
If we haven’t convinced you yet, there are a few more things to consider when building a summer uniform. If your industry has distinct seasons that affect business, such as HVAC, pool cleaning or landscaping, a shift in uniform can remind your customers of what’s to come and what services they should be scheduling. Summer uniforms can also be a more casual look, allowing your employees to wear them longer and serve as a walking billboard for your business as they travel to and from work, instead of changing out of a stuffy winter season ensemble.
Finally, providing summer season uniforms shows that you care. You understand your employees needs and you take steps to ensure that they are taken care of, and in the stifling heatwaves of July and August, the preparation of building a summer uniform plan is a great gift. Want to see how your uniform can be converted? Give SITEX a call!