Wearing uniforms can play an important role in establishing a tone of professionalism for your employees.

Dave Gustafson, an engineer with the Water Resources Center at the University of Minnesota Extension, puts it this way: “The concept that when they’re working for you they’re representing you is really important. And you want to be as high-quality as possible.”

1. When your employees are out on the job, they are the face of your company and they represent you. Requiring employees to wear a uniform every day is a good way to convey some of your expectations to them. It’s a constant reminder that they need to be professional.

“You’re not running their lives,” says Gustafson. But, “when they’re working for you, expectations need to be there. There are boundaries of what’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable behavior. So it allows them to put their superhero outfit on, become that superhero.”

When the uniform comes off at the end of the day, then they are back on their own time.

2. Providing uniforms and a place at the shop to wash them is essentially an added health benefit. It’s a good idea to wash uniforms at the shop instead of making this your employees’ responsibility. For one thing, it’s safer. When employees leave their work clothes at work, it reduces the risk of taking home any pathogens lurking on their clothing. As Gustafson says, “You don’t want to bring home your work, which could include septic tank stuff that you don't want to mix in with the rest of your family.” 

And second, Gustafson points out, “You know your employees have clean uniforms. You’re taking care of that for them so they don't have to worry about it.” Your employees will always be prepared and no one has the excuse of forgetting to do the laundry that week.

3. Uniforms help increase recognition for your company and give your customers peace of mind. Uniforms add to your brand image. Looking professional in matching uniforms makes your employees recognizable and memorable. 

It can also contribute to your customers’ safety. "Uniforms help you share with people what your employees look like. Then they have peace of mind because the person that’s there in their backyard, going from the front to the back of the house and looking all over their yard, is someone that they can trust because it’s one of your employees,” says Gustafson.