18 Uniforms

Learning Objectives
After reading this chapter, you should be able to
discuss the designing of uniforms for hotel staff
establish par levels for staff uniforms in a given property
uniforms
understand the procedure for issuing and exchanging of
outline the advantages of providing staff uniforms

INTRODUCTION
niforms are outfits of a specified material, colour,
and design, usually provided

U by the establishment, for certain

or

Uniforms
similar
are issued
staff such that all

position w e a r identical
outfits.
employees in an equivalent

people wh0 work in the hospitality industry, especially

to most
"back of the house areas normally wear
the salaried employees. Employees in the
restaurant and front office staff must
for the
functional yet pleasing uniforms. Uniforms
with the ambience of the area they work in.
not only be functional but must also go
resort property can have stewards dressed in
for example, a poolside restaurant in a
accessories such as a straw hat and sandals. Many
Bermudas and a floral shirt with
hotels now prefer their employees
to the region in which the hotel is
retain the feel ofof the
and tradition place. A hotel which is very
situated, and to showcase the culture
uP like a royal Punjabi guard with appropriate
Indian' can have a doorman dressed senior
and stat have unitorms to enhance their image.
accessories. Managers, executives,
494 Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management

In most hotels, the housekeeping department is the custodian of uniforms for all hotel
employees. A reasonable uniform programme should allow the issue of two uniforms
to each employee upon employment and a third set on confirmation.
The types of uniforms commonly used in the hotel industry have been discussed in
Chapter 7.
Please refer to the CD for various type of uniforms used in the hotel industry.

SELECTION AND DESIGN OF UNIFORMS

Terrycots are the most popular choice for uniforms as they have the advantages of both
natural and synthetic fibres. Suiting materials are used for trousers and skirts. Drill (cot
ton) is the popular choice for cooks coats and aprons as it is cool, durable, and easy to
maintain. Gaberdine or any white suiting material may be used for chefs' coats, as they
keep up appearances.
Points to be Considered while Designing Uniforms
The following points should be kept in mind while designing uniforms.
General profile of the employees The cultural background, age, and so on of the hote!'s
the work
employees need to be kept in mind along with the hotel>'s ethos and employees'
Some hotels even involve the staff concermed while designing their uniforms.
profiles.
Image and identity of the property Ifthe hotel wants to create a desirable, eye-catching,
smart, efficient, and professional image, the uniforms should be chosen to reflect, and
indeed create, this impression. Emblems, badges, and embroidery can customize the
uniforms so as to identify the hotel, the department, and the employee. The uniform
can also match the décor and theme of the hotel, thereby reinforcing the image of the

property.
Comfort in wear This depends on the right fabric being used, and even more important,
on a good fit. Hotel staff have to be active and hardworking, and the uniform should
complement this. They may need to reach, bend, stretch, or squat. The fit of the uniform
should be such that it does not bind or restrict movement.
Purpose of work Designing for the purpose of the work is of paramount importance.
Pockets are an important part of designing. A pair of dungarees or overalls must have
several deep pockets for the maintenance employee to keep tools handy. A steward
must have pockets that are not very conspicuous to keep a pen, lighter, and [Link]
chosen for the cooks must be skid-proof. Short sleeves are more practical for GRAs.
Some uniform accessories, such as the headwear of kitchen staff (toque), also fulfil an
important hygiene function in addition to making their work easier.

Appearance and style While keeping in mind the environment of the establishment.
a uniform should be designed in such a way that it will look equally good on the stout
and thin, the tall and short. Well-made garments use fabrics that are designed for heavy
wear, and their workmanship must support that.
That way, they will stay bright and
looking new through countless launderings.
 Uniforms 495

Climatic conditions of the place

Theseterylene
centrally air-conditioned. Afull-sleeved
must be considered
shirt with a tie especially
if the hotel is not
can be stifling for a steward
in a humid area.
Generally cooks and maintenance crew use 100 per cent drill uniforms.
Budget and value for money In the selection of fabric for uniforms, one should keep in
mind the allocated budget, and seek value for money.
Laundering and maintaining uniforms
is a challenge. Uniforms that look good,
comfortable, and maintain their that do not
are
through a number of laundry cycles are more economical than cheap fabrics appearance
perform or last. Blends are easier and cheaper to maintain; however, blends are not recom
mended for employees working in greasy areas (cooks, maintenance staff) as synthetics and
blends do not let go of grease and
perspiration stains easily. Also, the fewer the accessories,
the less the headache of keeping tab of
them, and usually,
the lower the expense.
Fabric Fabric selection is also a critical factor to consider when purchasing material for
uniforms. Cotton outfits are preferred as uniforms because they are porous and more
absorbent than polyester and cotton blends. However, blends with cotton are increasing
in popularity because they have better soil-release qualities in general and at the same
time retain some coolness.
Ease of availability of materials The fabric and accessories chosen for the uniforms
must be readily available whenever new uniforms are
required.
Staff turnover This is another challenge. Free-size uniforms can be used in
high-turnover
areas to address this. Trousers or skirts can have elasticised waistbands to accommodate
different sizes.
Uniform Management in Hotels
Efficient management of uniforms in hotels needs the following procedures to be followed.
Establishment of par levels for uniforms Hotels generally maintain 3-par for uniforms.
Preparation of a budget for uniforms The Executive Housekeeper (EHK) with the
help of the Uniform Room Supervisor makes the budget for the uniforms for the entire
hotel staff. Before budgeting, a detailed survey of the market and current trends needs
to be done since the expenditure involved is high.
Developing and implementing an effective uniform control system It is essential that
the housekeeping department develops a system of controlling uniform distribution
and usage, monitored by the EHK. The system should include recording the following:

receiving a uniform
Name of the person
Date of issue
Number of pieces issued
items
A record of misplaced or stolenare out on temporary loan
that
A record of anyuniforms
The housekeeper has to undertake this task keeping in mind
Designing new uniforms is followed:
changing trends. The following process
After the budget is sanctioned, sample unitorms are made by the EHK far oul
to be consiaerea wnle designing uniforms have ho
departments. The points oeen

discussed earlier in the chapter.

496 Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management

The samples are then sent to the laundry for checks on colour-fastness and durability.
After approval of samples, a purchase requisition is made and given to the purchase
department for the purchase of the fabrics.
Uniforms are stitched by the tailors at the hotel's sewing rocm or a uniform contractor.
Trials are carried out for all the staff members and the rerquired alterations are done.
The new uniforms received are sent to the uniform room for tagging with codes
for each staff member.

Outfitting new personnel A new employee joining ary department has to have a
Uniform Request Form (Exhibit 18.1) signed by the Personnel Manager as well as the
HoD. If the employee is a part-timer or trainee, old uniforms in good condition and fit
can be issued.

Exhibit 18.1 Uniform request form

Uniform request form

Date

To the uniform in-charge

Kindly issue the following uniform to ..

**** *****'*** ********* ************

Department...
Section....
Type of employment.*** ************'****' *** *****

No. of sets ...

***

Signature of HoD Signature of the Person nel Manager.

Uniform exchange procedure The following procedure: is followed:

A clean set is issued in exchange for a soiled set.
The uniform room attendant checks the condition of the uniform for any damage
or repair.
The uniforms are then sorted based on the fabric and sent to the laundry for
washing.
The number and type of uniforms sent to the laundry is entered in the 'soiled
uniform account register.
Storing uniforms The following steps are followed:
On return from laundry, the uniforms are sorted cut department wise.
The uniforms received are then tallied with the soiled uniform account register.
The uniforms are then hung on hangers and store d in the uniform room.
 Uniforms 497

I n many
properties autovalet systems are installed. These consist
of a computerized
system with single or
multi-distribution conveyers where the uniforms are hung
and delivered from.

Maintenance and upkeep of uniforms The uniform room attendant keeps a check on
the condition of the unitorms for any
out immediately by the tailors.
damage or repair. Such repairs should be carried

Replacement of uniforms If any uniform has to be replaced due to misplacement,

theft, or damage, the request has to come from the HoD and be authorized by the EHK.

Recovering uniforms from staff who have resigned or been terminated The housekeep
ing and the personnel department should be informed by the concerned departments
about employees who have resigned or been terminated, so that their uniforms may
be taken back. In case the uniforms returned are not in good condition or unjustifiably
damaged, the employee may be charged.
Disposal of old uniforms Old and much used uniforms are condemned and sent to
charitable institutions. Old uniforms in good condition are used for trainees in various

departments.

ESTABLISHING PAR LEVELS FOR UNIFORMS

When drawing up a budgetuniforms, consideration should be given to the staff
for
seasonal requirements, anticipated changes
turnover, life expectancy of the garments,
As a general rule, staff should be supplied with at
in décor, and laundry requirements.
at least 4 sets of whites, and more if they
least 2-3 sets of outfits. Kitchen staff require
enter the restaurant.

Number of Sets
of sets of uniforms needed by staff, the following factors
When deciding the number
are to be considered:
of a uniform is between 12-18 months and the
Uniform material The life expectancy
last for the expected lifespan. Uniforms made of cotton-for
material chosen should unitorms will need to be changed
and trousers or utility workers
example, a chef's coat
atter every 2 days, whereas for
need to be changed
and polyester may
daily. Terrycot
silk it may be 3 days. those
are strenuous
in nature. These jobs include
in hotels
Nature of job Some jobs maintenance crew, and so on. These workers
workers, the
of GRAs, housemen, utility statt coming into contact with
a change
more
of uniform olten. Similariy,
w o u l d require a change m o r e ofs
may require ften
the front of the house areas
food as well as those in
a r e dry-cleaned only
periodically.
Uniforms for executives
than the others. unitorms are sent to the laundry
Depending
on how olten
laundering service would also inflnenc e the
Frequency of is in-house or
a conraciea

and whether the laundry

number of sets required.
498 Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management
Calculating par Stock Quantity for Uniforms
If uniforms are normally changed every alternate day, the number of
pars required
is three on any given day, one is with the employee (in use), one is in the linen and
unitorm room, and one is in the laundry.
If uniforms are changed every day, as for cooks, five sets are required. More sets
may be required if laundering takes more than 24 hours. The following information is
required if stocks are to be established:
.Total number of uniformed employees in the hotel, their departments, and their
designations
.Manwomanratio
Staff turnover patterns
Frequency of laundering
.Time taken for laundering

STORAGE OF UNIFORMS
Fresh uniforms received from the laundry by the linen room are stored according to
department and designation of the staff. Each uniform should bear the department's
name, the employee's designation, and a serial number on the collar of the shirt or
equivalent garment. The linen room storage area should be properly aired. The humid-
ity of the room should be less than 20 per cent. In many hotels, staff members are not
allowed to take their uniforms outside the hotel. Instead, the employees are provided
with lockers to keep their uniforms at the end of the shift.

ISSUING AND EXCHANGING OF UNIFORMS

In this section, we shall discuss the process of issuing and exchanging of uniforms for
employees.
Issuing Uniforms to New Employees
In case of new employees, uniforms are issued against a specific authorization letter
received from the personnel department. The employee is required to sign tor nis
or her particular uniform. A uniform issue slip (see Exhibit 18.2) is also provided to

the employee by the personnel department to let him/her prove that

he/she 15 ane
employee and is part of the organization. The uniform is then issued from the linen
room, where the name of the department and the items issued are entered in the register
and the signature of the is taken.
employee
Issuing Uniforms to Regular Employees
Uniforms are usually given to employees on a one-for-one basis, that is, one fresh uni-
form for a soiled one.
On leaving the organization, an employee has to get a signature for 'uniform clear
ance from the linen room supervisor, failing which the last pay cheque is withheld.
 Uniforms 499
48.2 Sample uniform issue slip
buhibit18,

Uniform issue slip

ame of e m p l o y e e . . * **** ****
Date
***************

Date of joining. **** * ****'**** **'

Token N u m b e r .

*****'******* ****

Designation

Department. *********'**"****''**'****'***

U n i t o r m . . . . . .
No. of sets. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **** **''''* ' **

issued o n .....

IIniform Uniform issued to .

''*****''**** .

personnel m a n a g e r
Linen and uniform room supervisor
nt resDonsibility of the uniform/s issued to me. I understand that the uniform should not be taken out of the
|accept
I nremises. On leaving the organization, the uniform/s shall be duly returned to the uniform room.
hotel
* ** ********

Signature of the employee

Uniform Exchange Procedure

A uniform register (see Exhibit 18.3) in which the movement of uniforms is recorded
is maintained by the linen and uniform room supervisor. The procedure is as follows:
For regular employees, ensure that they have arrived for uniform exchange at the
stipulated time.
Check the uniform being returned for any damage.
Issue a fresh uniform strictly on a one-for-one basis, ensuring that it is of the correct
size and name (if the uniform is specially tailored for a person).
Make out the uniform exchange slip (see Exhibit 18.4) in duplicate only
when the employee deposits a soiled uniform and takes the clean one on the

Bthioit 18.3 Sample page from uniform register

Uniform register
Date Time received Time cleared Remarks if any
Laundry no.
at counter from counter

uuo***asaoe"*a*a"**os**ee*****a*************
Unen and uniform room
supervisor..
arhibit 78.4 Sample uniform exchange slip
Uniform exchange slip
Token no.. .
SIno.. Date...esnan
Shirts..
Coats ***********

.Caps.
Saris. ***
Blouses..
Pants *********

Jnen * * * * * * '
Employee ***** *************'****** +
and uniform room supervisor..
500 Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management

following day. In order to put forth his/her claim, the employee has to produce
the uniform slip, authorizing his/her entitlement to the
uniforms. The original
uniform slip is given to the employee and the duplicate retained in the uniform
exchange slip book.
If the soiled uniform is found to be damaged such that it can be mended, warn the
employee. If the uniform cannot be mended, report the matter to the supervisor.

ADVANTAGES OF PROVIDING STAFF UNIFORMS

Having uniforms for the staff is an essential at most hospitality properties, for the fol-
lowing reasons:
They ensure a well-groomed appearance for staff.
They help to create an atmosphere or set the scene. For example, a uniform may
match the décor or the theme of the property.
.They help identify the hotel staff and their position to the guest.
.They help differentiate between staffand guests.
I f made in the right design for work, they provide comfort for the staff.
They instil a feling of belongingness and loyalty to the establishment among the
staff.
.They enhance the spirit of teamwork.
They allow employees to save money on working clothes and costs oflaundering.
I t i s easier for staff to take up messy jobs when they know that their own clothes
are not involved.
Some uniforms may have a protective role.
Some uniforms may confer prestige on the wearer.

TRENDS IN HOTEL UNIFORMS

Ideal uniform designs comprise the attributes of functionality, comfort, appearance, and
character. Hotel properties now give immense significance to designing of uniforms and
take on board fashion designers who consequently have discussions with the hotels
staff and develop trendy, comfortable uniforms. Some of the emerging trends in hotel
uniforms are as follows.
Customized uniforms Where in earlier times, hotels went on with the
most
usual un
form fare in hotels, the trend now is for a designer to customize uniforms post discussion
with the hotel's staff.

Vibrant colours A new trend for vibrant colours has replaced the generic designs
the hospitality sector. These colours appear as splashes of vibrant
tnat once dominated
hues in scarves, embroideries, accent, or trim rather than the base colours of uniforms.
Luxury resorts are embracing brighter, livelier colours in uniforms as representative of
their environment. Bright shades of blue, citrus, and clear greens are finding their way
in splashes on staff uniforms in such properties. The formal suits too are moving away
from the traditional black to dynamic shades of charcoal grey.
 Uniforms 501

Monochromatic look
Monochromatic look Designers
suggest that the uniform that are monochromatic top
and bottom, build in simplicity and more
than two colour
a outht which cuts
sophistication. The look is more flattering
people into two. Hence, more and more properties
now have front desk statf especially,
sporting
with a splash of colour in accessories.
an all-black, all-grey, or all-brown uniform

Contemporary lines A sleek design as seen in fitted shirts and nipped at the waist
apparels for ladies is the trend now.

Blending in the casual look Uniforms are increasingly taking on more of a casual look
than formal. Hotels are doing away with the conservatively dressed look, blending in a
more casual look in the formal uniforms. As hotels move in to engage the guests in all
core areas, bringing in a semi-casual flavour gives employees a fresh, approachable, and
relaxed look. An example for the same is a streamlined 3/4th sleeve blouse for lady guest
service associates. The staff of many properties also sport the casual look on weekends.

Local flair With increasing competition, hotel properties are distinguishing themselves
by building a story into their property with their uniform programme retlectng their
local culture and geography. Many properties draw in from their rich cultural and histor
cally significant dressing styles and blend in a part of this heritage with their uniforms.
Comfort gets priority Hotels are also breaking away from the stiff tradition of neck
and bow ties, going in for open collars, polo necks, Chinese collars, and so on to bring
in possibly the longest man-hours
in the element of comfort in an industry that chips
on work. Flat, soft, comfortable
shoes are preferred instead of completely formal, hard
on their feet all day.
box shoes for employees who are

and skirts options are n o w available for female employees

to
Flexibility More pants
are starting to don day dresses or skirts with
choose from. Female front desk employees
female hostesses and cocktail
instead of traditional suiting. At many resorts,
jackets dresses with higher
servers are embracing retail-inspired
garments such as maxi dresses,
and garments of
slimmer silhouettes made in body-conscious fabrics,
hemlines and
knitwear fabrics.

SUMMARY A wide variety of uniforms may

be found in hotels
colour, and
Uniforms are outfits of a specified material, across India. Many
hotels now prefer their employees
establishment, for
cer
ESgn, usually provided by the
ain staff such that all employeesin an equivalentor to retain the feel
of the region in which the hotel is
culture and tradition
the situated, and to showcase the
similar position wear dentical outfits. In
most hotels,
of the place.
of uniforms
by and issued from the
Tor sekeeping
custodian maintained
partment is the Staff uniforms are
al hotel employees linen and uniform
room. The layout of the uniform room
the
exchanged at presented in this chapter since
Atmost properties, uniforms are
basis. In has not been separately
uniform Xchange
excr counter on a
one-for-one
over to
the in almost all
housekeeping departments, the uniform
others m s are purchased and handed room is a part of the linen room.

laf,w dividual sets.

maintain their should allow
the

SSue ofeasonable uniform programme

employ-
two uniformstoeache employee upon
ment:and a third set on confirmation.
 502 Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management

KEY TERMS
Drill Hardwearing, smooth cotton fabric, twill- or satin- The fabric is used for suits, dresses, sportswear, and
woven, which is used for shirts, trousers, and uniforms. uniforms.
Dungarees Coveralls or overalls made of hardwearing Par level The standard number of each inventoried item
denim or calico material, worn by the maintenance that must be on hand to support daily, routine house-
crew in hotels. They typically have multiple pockets keeping operations.
to keep the tools handy.
Toque A toque is the traditional headgearfor chefs. Itis
A fabric in a tight twill weave, it is a type of hat with a narrow brim or no brim at all. They
Gaberdine strong
made from worsted, cotton, man-made fibre, or blends. were made popular by the 13th century French chefs.

cONCEPT REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What factors would you keep in mind while design- 4. Discuss the process of issuing and exchanging of
ing uniforms for hotel staff? uniforms.
2. How are the par levels for staff uniforms established? 5. What are the advantages of providing staff uniforms
3. Mention 10 different types of uniform articles com- a) with reference to the management?
b) with reference to the employees?
monly used in hotels.

PROJECT WORK
the
uniform for front office employees (male the aspectsyou have kept in mind. Work out
Design a
and female) and maintenance crews (male) in a costing for the uniforms. Provide samples of fabrics
all and outline the accessories.
luxury hotel. Write a detailed report describing