One of the most important aspects of a workplace is the clothing that people wear. It doesn’t matter if it’s an outdoor or an indoor job. The fashion industry has revolutionised women’s workwear over the years. But most of it was for indoor or office scenarios, whereas women with outdoor jobs have to wear the same rugged clothes that men wear with no regards to their comfort.

The clothes the employees choose to wear speaks a lot about the company as a whole. It is not just about the presentation or appearance, but also how forward the company is in today’s world. Many big companies like Google believe in comfortable workwear that gives the employees maximum comfort in the workplace, leading to maximum productivity.

Considering the type of work manual labour entails, the main priorities of work clothes are safety, comfort, ease etc. Quality of the clothes matters immensely, especially when there is physically challenging work associated with it. The question is how to choose workwear that caters to the everyday needs of a manual job.

● Safety

The type of labour should always determine the kind of workwear worn in manual jobs. Companies should take potential hazards into account before deciding on what workwear to choose. This involves using helmets, gloves etc. It helps significantly reduce the risk associated with the job, and it will help create a safer environment for the employees.

● Weather

Another aspect that one should take into account is the weather. Buying clothes and jackets that are waterproof would be the smartest choice during the rainy season, and thick and sweat-absorbing clothes during the winter. This helps employees stay comfortable and hence increases productivity. The clothing visibility is also a significant factor, especially during winters when the visibility is low. Using reflective clothing or colours that have a longer wavelength would be the right choice in these scenarios.

● Comfort

Any workwear must fit the employees properly. Otherwise, it can cause discomfort in working steadily and smoothly. The rugged and physically demanding outdoor jobs are mainly male-dominant fields. Women have started joining the workforce side by side with men, which has brought a significant change. This has led to women’s workwear becoming more popular and readily available these days.

● Durability

Manual labour often includes work that can lead to wear and tear of clothes. Choosing durable garments can help in reducing the cost of renewing the workwear for the employees. Getting quality workwear can also help in reducing accidents and risks in the workplace. For example, getting a strong helmet that won’t break the moment something falls on it and protects the head efficiently can make a huge difference when it comes to employee safety.

● Representation

The employees are the face of a company. How they dress and behave affects the image of the company. Providing neat and efficient clothing like a uniform can help create a positive image for the company. The workwear can have the company logo attached to it, which can also serve as an advertisement for your company. If the company has a vast workforce, ensuring that the workwear is comfortable becomes crucial because happy and satisfied employees will bring a positive image to the company.

The outdoor work is always challenging with many risks and potential hazards depending upon the factors like the geographic region, weather, duration etc. An adequately equipped workforce can help in risk reduction and management to a great extent.