Companies provide uniforms to employees for a variety of reasons, ranging from maintaining a consistent, professional look to fulfilling safety requirements through job-specific personal protective equipment (PPE). Now, a new survey finds a direct link between workwear and its impact on employee loyalty, pride, value and preparedness. With one brand of workwear being favored by workers above all others.

According to the survey, 51% of workers receive uniforms and work clothing that is either supplied by their employer, rented for them or paid for by a stipend or reimbursement. A total of 43% of workers said they purchased work clothing with their own money and are not reimbursed. The rest receive a partial reimbursement or stipend to purchase workwear, or work clothing is provided as a gift or a reward by their employer.

Not surprising: employees say safety, durability and comfort are the most important attributes of quality workwear. This latest survey suggests that investing in uniform programs could be a crucial factor for companies to improve their retention and recruitment efforts.

EMPLOYEE RETENTION

Reducing employee turnover is a multi-faceted challenge. But uniform programs can play a positive role. The percentage of workers who said they were very or extremely likely to be with their companies a year from now increased when comparing workers who have partial or fully company funded work clothing (76%) to those who pay for their own workwear (68%). The number jumps to 84% of workers who say they are likely to stay loyal to a company a year from now when that business supplies them with Carhartt uniforms and workwear, as seen in the chart below.

ATTRACTING WORKERS

Nearly 6 in 10 workers said a company that offers workwear and PPE has at least somewhat of an influence on their likelihood to stay with that employer. Companies supplying Carhartt have 65% of employees saying it is a factor, notably higher than the 55% of workers at companies that provide brands other than Carhartt.

Among employees who work at jobs where workwear is not provided, 71% indicated that they would consider a job at a firm that provided clothing or at least partially reimbursed them for apparel.

CARHARTT LEADS THE WAY

Workers recognize the value of employer-supplied work uniforms. Overall, 39% of those who received workwear from their company view it as a benefit. That number increased to 49% when that workwear is Carhartt. Among those who pay for their own, 6 in 10 agree it would be a benefit if their company started supplying uniforms. Conversely, among workers who now have work apparel fully or partially paid for by their employers, 8 out of 10 would be upset if the program was eliminated.

And the savings add up. Big time. Workers who receive company-supplied workwear estimate a personal annual savings of $514. Workers at companies that offer Carhartt put an even higher value, estimating savings of $572, which is $93 more than the perceived value that employees have at companies providing other brands ($479). Those who pay for their own workwear estimate they spend $453 annually.