Uniform Design - Going Backwards (Read 710 times)

[crossscythe]

Uniform designs for bus company employees are being massively downgraded from what they were. The new Stagecoach uniform is an example of that, a t-shirt, baggy shorts and trainers is not a smart or professional look. Ties also seem to be missing on many of the drivers I have seen at other companies. Bus driving is a professional role. In many cases, the driver is the sole represntative of the company, is this really an image the companies want to send out?

When Stagecoach started appearing in South Yorkshire, their drivers wore a very smart three piece suit, with a tie and shoulder mats. First drivers always wore their suits also, with a tie as a neccessity. 

Deviating slightly, I have also noticed the new Northern Rail uniform is more suited to a bricklayer than a Senior train Conductor, the blue polo shirt, shorts, trainers, it's not a professional look. East Midlands Railway station staff seem to have taken to wearing trainers too, something that would never have been allowed under the Stagecoach franchise. Professionals should be wearing a suit and tie. Businesses should take pride in thsir image.

[overground]

I’d say they’ve altered rather than been downgraded.

At FSY I believe drivers don’t have to wear ties from 1st May to 1st October which I think seems fair and realistic - they are sat in a cab for 4-5 hours remember and it’s summer or supposed to be.

[crossscythe]

Sept 17, 2023 21:01:49 GMT overground said:

I’d say they’ve altered rather than been downgraded.

At FSY I believe drivers don’t have to wear ties from 1st May to 1st October which I think seems fair and realistic - they are sat in a cab for 4-5 hours remember and it’s summer or supposed to be.

I wonder if modern buses have temperature control in the cab. The other week, I was on YN07MKO and there seemed to be some kind of electrical fan system in operation in the cab area. I tend to find that going tieless doesn't make a difference to body temperature anyway. The Stagecoach polo shirts seem to be thicker than a formal shirt.

[markno16]

Sept 17, 2023 13:55:00 GMT crossscythe said:

Uniform designs for bus company employees are being massively downgraded from what they were. The new Stagecoach uniform is an example of that, a t-shirt, baggy shorts and trainers is not a smart or professional look. Ties also seem to be missing on many of the drivers I have seen at other companies. Bus driving is a professional role. In many cases, the driver is the sole represntative of the company, is this really an image the companies want to send out?

When Stagecoach started appearing in South Yorkshire, their drivers wore a very smart three piece suit, with a tie and shoulder mats. First drivers always wore their suits also, with a tie as a neccessity. 

Deviating slightly, I have also noticed the new Northern Rail uniform is more suited to a bricklayer than a Senior train Conductor, the blue polo shirt, shorts, trainers, it's not a professional look. East Midlands Railway station staff seem to have taken to wearing trainers too, something that would never have been allowed under the Stagecoach franchise. Professionals should be wearing a suit and tie. Businesses should take pride in thsir image.

Few points:

- General uniform/workwear has evolved, typically to be more casual with a focus towards comfort, practicality and ease of wearing.
- The role is sadly not particularly regarded as professional as such, and even then I refer to the previous point which is a trend across all industries.
- A younger generation and average age of drivers - with recruitment challenging I would love to see you try and sell effectively working in a suit all day in all weathers and conditions.
- Cost; easier to buy and replace and easier to maintain for the employees.

This isn’t an exhaustive list but ask yourself a question - when you last received a service in any service industry, did you remember what the employee wore or what service they gave? I would argue it isn’t particularly relevant as long as it is of a standard and those standards are maintained.

I speak from experience of managing teams of 100+ in various departments in the service industry.

[crossscythe]

Sept 18, 2023 9:56:47 GMT markno16 said:

Sept 17, 2023 13:55:00 GMT crossscythe said:

Uniform designs for bus company employees are being massively downgraded from what they were. The new Stagecoach uniform is an example of that, a t-shirt, baggy shorts and trainers is not a smart or professional look. Ties also seem to be missing on many of the drivers I have seen at other companies. Bus driving is a professional role. In many cases, the driver is the sole represntative of the company, is this really an image the companies want to send out?

When Stagecoach started appearing in South Yorkshire, their drivers wore a very smart three piece suit, with a tie and shoulder mats. First drivers always wore their suits also, with a tie as a neccessity. 

Deviating slightly, I have also noticed the new Northern Rail uniform is more suited to a bricklayer than a Senior train Conductor, the blue polo shirt, shorts, trainers, it's not a professional look. East Midlands Railway station staff seem to have taken to wearing trainers too, something that would never have been allowed under the Stagecoach franchise. Professionals should be wearing a suit and tie. Businesses should take pride in thsir image.

Few points:

- General uniform/workwear has evolved, typically to be more casual with a focus towards comfort, practicality and ease of wearing.
- The role is sadly not particularly regarded as professional as such, and even then I refer to the previous point which is a trend across all industries.
- A younger generation and average age of drivers - with recruitment challenging I would love to see you try and sell effectively working in a suit all day in all weathers and conditions.
- Cost; easier to buy and replace and easier to maintain for the employees.

This isn’t an exhaustive list but ask yourself a question - when you last received a service in any service industry, did you remember what the employee wore or what service they gave? I would argue it isn’t particularly relevant as long as it is of a standard and those standards are maintained.

I speak from experience of managing teams of 100+ in various departments in the service industry.

Yes, I do remember what the last person who gave me service wore and the service they gave. It makes for a feeling of a more premium experience. I wonder what the long time drivers think of it, one day they wore a nice suit and tie, the next, a t shirt. 

Sadly, you are right about some of the younger generation and not making an effort in how they dress. I saw a man in a restaurant in a track suit the other day!

[overground]

Sept 17, 2023 23:10:54 GMT crossscythe said:

Sept 17, 2023 21:01:49 GMT overground said:

I’d say they’ve altered rather than been downgraded.

At FSY I believe drivers don’t have to wear ties from 1st May to 1st October which I think seems fair and realistic - they are sat in a cab for 4-5 hours remember and it’s summer or supposed to be.

I wonder if modern buses have temperature control in the cab. The other week, I was on YN07MKO and there seemed to be some kind of electrical fan system in operation in the cab area. I tend to find that going tieless doesn't make a difference to body temperature anyway. The Stagecoach polo shirts seem to be thicker than a formal shirt.

Generally not as such but even so you are surrounded by glass and an assault screen - in hot temperatures regardless of whether it's got a cab fan or not it is not comfortable. I can't really agree or disagree, I can probably count on one hand how many times I've wore a tie since I left school.