Company success can be tailor-made

There may be a new wrinkle to the old adage about dressing for success: Workers can dress not only for their own success––but for their company’s as well.

That’s the finding of a survey on uniforms in the workplace conducted by Westlake Village-based J.D. Power and Associates® on behalf of the Uniform and Textile Service Association (UTSA). Take this quiz to see how your eye on workplace attire stacks up to the survey results:

1. True or False: People have more confidence and trust in employees wearing uniforms than those without.

2. True or False: "Return" customers have a stronger preference for employees in uniform than do "occasional" customers.

3. The uniform style that consumers most like to see on an electrician, plumber or other type of "hands-on" professional is:

a. coveralls

b. T-shirt and jeans

c. standard work shirt and pants

4. Consumers prefer midscale/ upscale department store workers to wear:

a. executive wear

b. casual wear

c. standard uniforms

Answers

1. True. The study showed consumers and business people prefer to see uniformed employees at the companies they deal with. UniFirst, a leading supplier of uniforms and work clothes, reports that when consumers deal with uniformed employees, they expect better service and products. The company supplies uniforms to such businesses as Wal-Mart, U.S. Airways and Costco.

2. True. Additionally, respondents said they have more confidence and trust in uniformed employees and prefer a professional appearance in those who provide services for them.

3. c. The survey also found that consumers prefer a lab coat or overcoat for healthcare professionals and aprons for food-service professionals.

4. a. Consumers also prefer home electronic and discount store employees, as well as computer repair professionals, to wear embroidered casual shirts such as polos.

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.