Uniforms

[Crewcutlawncare]

Should I as a Company Owner provide all of the unforms for my employees, or should I have them pay for it out of their own paycheck?

[MudslinginFX4]

If you want them to wear uniforms I would pay for it. If you dont mind them wearing steet clothes then you don't have to pay. Personally, if I were your employee and you told me I had to wear a uniform and also buy it with my own money... id tell you to go F yourself!

[Crewcutlawncare]

Okay well thanks for your input. I kind of thought that people would react that way too. It's just that I will be doing work for a big client, and I want my employees to look professional and all, but I can't afford it at this time and point.

[CLARK LAWN]

we just have company t-shirts that i buy i get them with logo on back for 5-7 dollars apiece depending on the size get three for each guy. they have to have them on at work if they show up with out one then they must pay for a replacement.

[YardPro]

most companies make the employees pay at least part of thier uniform price.
It is cheaper for people to buy uniforms than wear thier own shirts..
A simple lettered shirt cost about $5-$7.00...
the shirts guys will ruin at work they they own cost about double that.

We give out 5 free then we charge for the cost of the shirt for ones after that.

[out4now]

If you want them to wear uniforms I would pay for it. If you dont mind them wearing steet clothes then you don't have to pay. Personally, if I were your employee and you told me I had to wear a uniform and also buy it with my own money... id tell you to go F yourself!
Years ago when I worked for Stanley Steemer doing carpets, we had to buy them ourselves and as a helper you weren't making much to start with so like he siad there would be animosity.

[Crewcutlawncare]

If any of you get work pants for your employees, such as Dickies, how many pairs do you usually give them?

[YardPro]

they supply thier own bottoms.. you can dictate what type.

[SOUTHERNGREENSCAPES]

I Work Full Time For A Company That Offers But Doesn't Require Uniforms. We Can Purchase Company Logo Shirts And Wash Then Ourselves And We Get Our Pants From Cintas. It Is A Good Deal If You Have Enought Business To Make It Worth Their Wild. I Pay $14 Every Two Weeks And They Give Us 11 Pairs Of Pants In The Begining And They Wash 5 Of Them Each Week. The 11th Pair Is For The One That You Will Be Wearing When He Comes To Pick Up. I Have To Pay For This Out Of My Pocket, But I Do It Willingly B/c If I Didn't I Would Have To Buy At Least 4-5 Pairs Of Pants My Self And Then I Would Have To Wash Them. This Way, They Wash Them For Me And If They Get Damaged I Think They Charge Like $3 For A Replacement Pair. You Ought To Look Into It. Oh, They Do Shirts Too

[Green-Pro]

I require all employees wear a company shirt (sweat shirt in cool weather tee's in warm and ball caps). Since I require I pay for them, and request that upon leaving my employ that they return the shirts. Have only had around three not returned so far. I get a local silk screen and embroidery shop to make them and buy in bulk, for a discount.

[nherweck]

A while back I worked for Target and they require you to wear a red shirt and khaki pants...at your own expense. They sell clothing with Target logos on them, but those are a bit more than the regular shirts you'd purchase at the store.

Last year, I purchased uniforms for myself and my partner, and when he left I just required him to give it back. That is the LAST time I'll be letting anyone working for/with me to be cleaning and taking care of their own clothing. I'm looking into Aramark and Cintas for this upcoming season. Anyone have any good remarks about them? Thanks a bunch!

[SWD]

I mandate and enforce a very strict uniform policy.
Company hat, t-shirt, sweatshirt, coat, pants, clean underwear and socks +work boots.
I provide everything once the employee has lasted two weeks. During this period, I will supply a company t-shirt, however, no pants coat or boots.
Once the two weeks are up, the laborer receives 6 t-shirts, 3 sweatshirts, six pairs of uniform pants and a pair of boots; all at no cost to him.
As I spend more time in administrative duties, I spend less time with my laborers - so each time I do meet with them, I have a fresh view to-wards their uniform and appearance.
Since I have implements this uniform policy, I have sign over $180K in contracts - and definite comments were made that my company was higher priced yet the professional appearance made it worthwhile.

[Crewcutlawncare]

So you are saying that you made a lot more money by having your employees wear your uniforms? Just a question, but when you say pants, do you mean regular blue jeans, or something like tan dickie work pants? Also how much would you say that you have invested in your company as far as uniforms are concerned?

[SWD]

No blue jeans - not a good idea in 100+* heat. Plus I do not care for how they look.
Look for used uniform suppliers on the internet - I get lightly used pants shipped for $3-$4 each.
I cannot emphasis enough the need to be professional in your and your employee's appearance.
A more professional appearance with immediately set you apart from your competition!

[SWD]

Regarding costs for the uniforms, including everything - $1800.00.
This is: heavy weight cotton t-shirts, heavy weight sweatshirts, hats, pants and boots.
The only recurrent replacement item is the boots - 2 new pair every 8 months or so.

[turftammer]

I furnish company shirts,sweatshirts,and hats employees are required to wear steel toed boots and if employee is unable to purchase boots I will buy and deduct $10 or $15 dollars a week from pay.They wear jeans but they must not have holes,tears,or badly stained they must be neat and clean in appearance or I will furnish uniform pants but most don't like uniform pants so this is usually not a problem. shirts must be tucked in,hats are not to be worn backwards,pants must not be excessively baggy. Irarely have any problems with these policies they all understand the way they present themselves represents the company.

[cleancutccl]

I furnish hats, t'shirts, and sweatshirts at no cost to the employee. They clean them. I do require them to buy their own pants, no jeans, must be a dress up pant.

[topsites]

Okay well thanks for your input. I kind of thought that people would react that way too. It's just that I will be doing work for a big client, and I want my employees to look professional and all, but I can't afford it at this time and point.

You might can get away with requiring (or asking) them to wear bluejeans, white socks and white t-shirts, and leave it at that. They can get the t-shirts at Walmart for a few dollars, just standard white (undershirts is what they actually are, but not the sleeveless kind).
Then, you at least have the universal look and they shouldn't mind too bad because the shirts can be worn anywhere (no letters, I said plain white).
For reasons, you can cite it's an insurance requirement (white cauz of the heat thing and jeans to reduce injury potential blablabla).

[M&G lawn]

Heys guys,
Talking about the uniforms from Cintas, I work for Cintas full time and just started my lawn business last June. The uniform program offered by Cintas is very flexible. They will look at your needs and what ideas you have for the image of your employees. they have a rental program that 11 sets of uniforms per man for about 6.85 to 9.00 a week. That includes washing the garnments and weekly and that should give the employee enough uniforms for 2 weeks. If you work alot on weekends they will set you up with 13 sets for a little more.Remember that all the repairs from patching the clothes to sewing buttons will be done by Cintas. when the clothes get worn out they will be replaced. Basically all your employees have to do is remember to bring them in on pick up day.If you want to let your employees wash the clothes themselves then they have a program called unilease where they give you 5 or 6 sets of clothes and all the do is do repairs and upgrades on the clothes they don't was them for about 4 bucks a week. they all so have shop rags had soaps and all most anything you can think of. Just thought I'd let you guys know about them when I saw this thread.

[sgallaher]

We provide t-shirts and the employee is required to provide everything else. We of course give them guidelines to follow, color, steel toe, etc.
:usflag:

[PLS-Tx]

Heys guys,
Talking about the uniforms from Cintas, I work for Cintas full time and just started my lawn business last June. The uniform program offered by Cintas is very flexible. They will look at your needs and what ideas you have for the image of your employees. they have a rental program that 11 sets of uniforms per man for about 6.85 to 9.00 a week. That includes washing the garnments and weekly and that should give the employee enough uniforms for 2 weeks. If you work alot on weekends they will set you up with 13 sets for a little more.Remember that all the repairs from patching the clothes to sewing buttons will be done by Cintas. when the clothes get worn out they will be replaced. Basically all your employees have to do is remember to bring them in on pick up day.If you want to let your employees wash the clothes themselves then they have a program called unilease where they give you 5 or 6 sets of clothes and all the do is do repairs and upgrades on the clothes they don't was them for about 4 bucks a week. they all so have shop rags had soaps and all most anything you can think of. Just thought I'd let you guys know about them when I saw this thread.

Thanks for the info.

I think we have a Cintas here, I'm going to check into it. Do you have to buy the uniforms from them to get started?

[mrbray101]

When I worked for someone else he provided everyone with uniforms at no charge and on your last paycheck he just withheld the cost of issued items until they were returned. It seemed to work well for him. Everyone looked professional and did not have to provide their own uniforms.

[dtelawncare]

I would think it would help by letting employees know all items required for their job are tax deductible. This might sound better to them.