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Discussion Forum

Providing clothing for employees

| Posted in Business on February 4, 2002 02:58am

*
In order to project an image consistent with the services I provide, and because my employees have asked for it, I am considering providing clothing for some or all of them. A uniform so to speak. I have not done alot of legwork on it but I don’t think the standard poplin uniforms provided by the rental companies will fit my needs, nor provide the comfort level that my employees desire.

What I have in mind is upscale quality work clothing with the company logo for the various seasons. Something along the lines of khaki pants or shorts, t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, and jackets with most displaying the company logo.

I can think of many benefits to my employees and to my company without going to a uniform supplier. I am thinking along the lines of providing 7 days workwear, but am interested in protecting my investment with new hires and attrition.

Do any of you retain ownership to your company supplied workwear, and/or expect employees to pay some or all of the expense?

I am comfortable footing the bill, but only over time. A new hire who doesn’t work out or someone suddenly quitting, could be expensive.

Anyone have a suggestion on how to handle this?

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Replies

  1. Mike_Maines_ | Jan 23, 2002 06:27am | #1

    *
    Tommy, you could give all your employees 3 good t-shirts and a good sweatshirt...have them provide their own pants, and require the clothes to be clean. Give them a jacket as a one-year bonus. All with company logos, right?

    1. Boss_Hog | Jan 23, 2002 04:34pm | #2

      *I like the idea, but would probably expect the employees to pick up at least part of the cost. It will save them money, after all if they have to spend less on clothing. There's a GC in town that pays his guys a "clothing allowance". I'm no accountant, and don't know all the legalities. But if he pays them the clothing allowance instead of wages, it saves him money on workmans comp and social security taxes. The employee also saves, since he doesn't have to pay income taxes on the "clothing allowance". You might not want to specifically do that, but could maybe work out something that would provide some tax savings and recoup part of the cost of the clothing.

      1. Tommy_B. | Jan 23, 2002 09:27pm | #3

        *Thanks for the input, I hope to hear more from some of you who are providing work wear. I know this subject has been touched on in other posts, but I a looking to formalize a policy on this, particularly for new hires and the like.

        1. ken_hill | Jan 23, 2002 10:18pm | #4

          *Tommy B.- The last company that I worked for (remodel GC) provided company t-shirts and caps, and issued new ones as neeeded to help maintain a 'clean' image. All with company logo of course. Workers received a Carhartt vest w/embroidered logo @ 1-year anniv. of employment. Managers and supervisors were issued logo'ed polos and jackets. Personally, I think it was worth it to the owner to provide these in terms of advertising and the cohesive look, and he was always very happy to provide them.

          1. Eric_Pinkston | Jan 24, 2002 04:03am | #5

            *Hey Tommy,I give my guys 7 T-shirts and 3 hooded or un-hooded sweatshirts - whichever they prefer. I give them out after a person has been with me for 2 weeks. By then I know if he's a keeper or not. I try to get them back if the guys are there less than 6 months but otherwise they can keep them. They are usually no good after 6 months anyway. 7 T-shirts at 7 bucks each and 3 sweatshirts at 14 is only $91. Not that much in the big scheme of things. I've never considered giving pants to my guys. Whatever size, shape and style they like is OK with me as long as they are reasonable clean and hole free. Hats seem kind of personal too.I thinks the homeowners really do appreciate knowing the guys there are supposed to be there. I even give free T-shirts to my regular sub contractors. Cheap advertising and makes 'em feel good. When I place orders I get a bunch of kids sizes too and give them to my clients kids. They absolutely love that.Eric

          2. Bill_Koustenis | Jan 24, 2002 04:13am | #6

            *Tommy, In the Automotive industry ( I own an Automotive Machine Shop) it is very common practice to supply uniforms. The company that we use (Unifirst)has many different types available, anything from your standard "work" pants and shirt, all the way up to a dress shirt and pant type outfit. The standard outfit is very reasonable, I think its about $8 per employee each week, and they supply you with enough uniforms so that the employees alwas have a full week's worth. They pick up the dirty clothes and give you clean ones once a week. By supplying the uniforms it is very easy to project the image that you want for your company. I think we pay a one time setup charge for new employees of around $25 If the employee leaves, you have to turn in all the clothes or you get charged for them. Otherwise no special fees. It has worked great for me for close to 15 years.Hope this helps,

          3. S._W._Morgan | Jan 24, 2002 05:51am | #7

            *I usually order a bunch of t shirts and polos every six months or so and give them to employees, subs, clients, who ever will wear them. Pretty cheap advertising if you ask me. I order about $500 worth each time and get quite a stack. T shirts cost me about 6-7 bucks a piece and the polos are close to $15. The employees usually get one polo and 4-5 t shirts to wear to work. I usually also get some sweatshirts in the winter for them to wear to work as well. Clients get either a polo or t shirt,,,depending on their tastes for clothes. Sam MorganS. W. Morgan Fine Homes

          4. Tommy_B. | Jan 24, 2002 06:19am | #8

            *All good points. Bill, I have worn uniforms at one time or another, I guess it would be worth a call to see what types of styles they have available and at what cost. I had ran that past the guys and they kind of poo-pooed it. I think when you factor in the laundering and the maintenance of the clothes, and the all around better control you have, it is definately a good idea, and a real benefit to the employee. I loved not having to do the laundry. The only downside is we won't be getting dressed at a central location as we usually punch in on a job. On the plus side we always got seasonal workwear. I think I would have to consider the employee paying at least some portion of it. Or consider it a raise but we just had those.

          5. josh | Jan 25, 2002 09:03pm | #9

            *I provide t-shirts that are silkscreend front and back ( big logo on back small on front, one color)this year we ordered sweat shirts as wellsure would like to know who silkscreens in our area for as cheap as those that have posted before meours run about 11 each

          6. GACC_DAllas | Jan 26, 2002 04:41am | #10

            *Hey Tommy,Most of us wear carpenters overalls. They cost about $50 a pair. If the men want them, I pay for half. It's not required that they wear them, but it looks professional and it saves them on wearing out blue jeans. I do buy the first pair for free. Any extras I split with the men. It's a good system for us. I also supply company hats. Not everybody wears them, but they all get one.Ed.

          7. Jeff_J._Buck | Jan 26, 2002 07:41am | #11

            *Where I'm at not.....they supplied 5 t-shirts after a few weeks. That was the summer uniform. Jeans or shorts are ok. Just not cut-offs. Come fall.....I got 5 denim button-down shirts.....with company patch over the pocket....real good quality. That's the winter uniform. They tried golf shirts, but no one liked them.....but I'm gonna see if I can get a few......they first tried in summer....and they were way too hot for outside work. A clean pair of jeans and a company shirt....and they's your uniform. We don't pay for anything......just sign and have to give it back when ya leave. I'm guessing the T's are tossed, and the denim's are washed the recycled. Jeff

          8. piffin_ | Jan 27, 2002 09:29pm | #12

            *Shorts on the job?I've had a couple of customers ask if I could have men get dressed before they show up to remodel their house.

          9. ken_hill | Jan 28, 2002 04:18am | #13

            *My personal opinion is that shorts are unacceptable on the jobsite. It projects a lax attitude, and there is the safety issue of exposed flesh. No tank tops either.

          10. Eric_Pinkston | Jan 28, 2002 05:23am | #14

            *This shorts thing has been touched on before and I just don't get it. If I'm on my knees I put on knee pads. Otherwise I can think of few times when shorts would be a saftey hazard and I don't understand how it can be considered unprofessional. A pair of khaki shorts or a pair of jeans seems to be on the same level in my mind. Is this a generally held opinion by Johnny Homeowner?Eric, always in shorts

          11. Schelling_McKinley | Jan 28, 2002 05:39am | #15

            *If the customer was willing to pay for it, I'd come to work in a 3 piece suit. Otherwise, I'll wear shorts if the weather permits. Most are just happy to see me.

          12. Mr.T | Feb 03, 2002 01:55am | #16

            *Schelling, Are they really glad to see you? Or do they just have a banana in their pocket?:)T

          13. Barry_E | Feb 03, 2002 04:35am | #17

            *Here's part of the company uniform we are looking at buying for the guys. comfortable in any weather.watcha think?http://www.utilikilts.com/Workman.htmBarry

          14. piffin_ | Feb 03, 2002 04:54am | #18

            *Lordy me! What a wonderful wardrobe!I've always liked bagpipes - maybe it's time I went all the way....The bifurcated snaps would be just the thing!But I can just hear the neighbors now!

          15. Tommy_B. | Feb 03, 2002 06:49am | #19

            *You guys laugh all you want.I once ripped the center part of my cut-offs making a kilt of sorts. It was the most comfortable work gear I ever owned. The only problem with kilts is the length changes every spring.

          16. Jeff_J._Buck | Feb 03, 2002 08:54am | #20

            *you want me framing yer damn roof when it's 90+ degrees then yes....I'm wearing shorts! Might even wear a tank top if the suns not killing me. Cut-off I can see outlawing, but shorts are perfectly fine. My joking around with the customer project a far more lax attitude than shorts could anyway.......what are we....in the military? And.......I've been wearing shorts around construction since I was 10 years old......haven't cut off my kneecaps yet.......and yes.....I have layed flooring and done roofing in shorts......if it hurts.....get the knee pads out. Jeff

          17. Mr.T | Feb 03, 2002 04:16pm | #21

            *Your not supposed to wear ANYTHING under a Kilt!!TNot that I was lookin or Hopin or anything...

          18. Gunner_1750 | Feb 03, 2002 04:47pm | #22

            *There isn't a thing wrong with shorts in carpentry work. In fact around here it's how you tell when spring is aproaching. When you spot your first bare chested roofer in shorts of the year then you know the good weather has returned. And one other post on this topic has been bugging me, if your going to provide t-shirts then why would you only provide three? It's a five day work week, at least give your guys enough shirts to make it that far.

          19. piffin_ | Feb 03, 2002 08:25pm | #23

            *Personnally, you'll never catch me in shorts unless I'm in the bathroom. Old fashioned!And I don't care if some body is framing outside in them but you might find the skin blistering when it comes to asphalt shingles or hot torched roofs or it could get full of slivers on a cedar roof.But when you come on board to do fine trim in a home (not house but home where somebody is living) you owe them enough respect to dress decently and come clean and washed. Installing crown to a ten foot cieling on a step ladder wearing cut off shorts that should've been sent to the dump does nothing to improve customer relations.

          20. ken_hill | Feb 03, 2002 11:04pm | #24

            *OK OK You guys gave me enough sh*t about the shorts thing. I guess it's mostly my own personal dress code, and that I see so many guys wearing rags. Image and PR are important to me so I pay attention to it. It's not a stretch to dress clean and neat whenever possible- some activities are, by nature, messy so you can't help that. I'm with piffin when working in someone's home, esp. doing finish work. If I can go the extra mile to look good, it's worth the added value perceived by the homeowner and anyone else who's impression matters to your business. I agree, it sucks to be 90deg. on a roof, but at least wear some decent shorts. I still think tank tops look bad.

          21. piffin_ | Feb 03, 2002 11:37pm | #25

            *Here's another thought for you guys who like to strip down in the heat.why do you suppose that bedouins wear wool robes that cover all? It's not just religious modesty. In a humid climate you want a little breeze stirring the air ( maybe it's humid in Scotland) but in a dry hot climate, you can actually get a lower body temp by wearing something. The fabric absorbs the sweat and gradually disperses it to evaporation for cooling action. A naked body will just let the sweat run right off without doing its job of cooling as efficiently. I found that I was always cooler without being directly scorched by the sun, but wearing a white shirt. When roofing I found fewer blisters on my feet when wearing good boots and two pair of socks. Learned that one from backpackers. Wet socks (from sweat) don't feel very comfortable and with two layers on a steep roof the friction heat is more like to be dispersed between the two socks than between your skin and the sock. Add to that the fact that some roof surfaces are over 120 degrees to walk on and I want all the insulation under me that I can get.You already know about skin cancer - right?

          22. Lars_Rousseau | Feb 04, 2002 02:56am | #26

            *Being the motherly type I had to just pipe in on this one. I try not to speak up too ofter but.... piffin is right about the skin cancer. At least if you are out in the sun wear that sunblock please. I have an uncle that was in construction when he was younger and now has had skin cancer melanoma. I know that it might not have been just construction, but I am sure it didn't help. When I lived in San Diego I would think those guys working with shorts and no shirts on. Especially roofers!!!!! I wonder what the stats are for skin cancer for builders etc. Okay I will stop with the advice. I personally like shorts in hot weather etc, but remember the sun can get you in more ways than one. By the way thanks for the comments for beards etc. Our guys loved the comments. Made for good reading!

          23. Lars_Rousseau | Feb 04, 2002 02:58am | #27

            *By the way the above message is from Lars' wife Tamara. Lars is not the one giving the motherly advice. Matter of fact he doesn't wear sunblock etc. but will wear a hat to keep the sun off of his face etc. He doesn't wear shorts. Too hard on his knees etc. Just his personal preference. His guys wear them even up to Novemeber here in Western NC it can be cold even there.

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