Article - Branded Overalls for Protection of the Company’s Image
10 Jan 2018
Branded Overalls for Protection of the Company’s Image
For companies offering maintenance and construction related services, branded overalls have become quite popular over the past few years. Apart from the promotional aspect, there is the vital part of clearly identifying the employer and this has become essential not only for promotional value, but to protect the employer’s image.
In South Africa, where overalls can be bought at any hardware or surplus store, the problem is that most of the overalls look the same. The most popular colour is blue with reflector strips on the knees and over the chest or the sleeves. It is not uncommon to see countless workers walk around with the blue overalls. Some work for municipalities, others for private companies and many people work for mines. The problem is that they all look the same and it is thus impossible to distinguish from which company the workers come.
With high crime rates in the country and many criminals wearing the blue overalls pretending to be from utility companies, municipalities or even private companies now attempting to gain entrance to properties, it has become essential to clearly brand the overalls. With distinctive markings on the overalls, companies can ensure that imposters cannot pretend to be from their company, because they first have to get the company’s specifically branded overalls. They also need company ID cards and in this way companies are able to protect their customers from criminals that pose as workers who want to mow the lawn, install air-cons, do meter readings, and more.
By going the extra step to brand the worker’s clothing, the companies are also protecting their images. If the workers simply wear overalls then other people also dressed in overalls can easily say that they’re from company XY and act in unethical ways.
The worker’s behaviour either promotes a positive image of the brand or it dilutes it. As such, it is essential to brand worker clothing and to setup company policies regarding acceptable behaviour in public while dressed in the company’s brand. The company should also have policies in place regarding the return of branded uniforms and overalls upon termination of employment, whether because of dismissal or resignation. These simple steps help to distinguish the company’s brand, improve on the company’s image and protect society, as well as prevent people from wearing the branded overalls when no longer in the employment of the company.
Issuing of such branded overalls should be regulated. Only employees may wear the overalls and each overall receives a number. The company has record of the total number of overalls issued. This helps to ensure that the brand image is positively promoted and never used by criminals to gain entrance to homes.
To effectively brand the uniforms, it is important to choose a company that offers an extensive range of worker clothing, is known for their quality and can offer affordable, yet, high quality printing and branding options to clearly distinguish the company’s image from other businesses operating within the same sector.