In the Georgian business sector, the attitude toward a work uniform has changed in recent years. Previously this decision was made mainly for a visual and aesthetic purpose – a company chose this practice at its own discretion, rarely. Today this decision is determined simultaneously by three factors: legal obligation, brand visibility and employee comfort.
They are connected to each other, and neglecting one usually happens at the expense of another. A business that obeys only the law often bypasses thinking about the brand’s image. And the one who thinks only about the outward impression neglects the employees’ needs.
The Leader tailoring atelier offers you workwear tailored to your requirements.
What does the law say?
In 2019, the organic law on labor safety came into force. It obliges employers to assess the risks of the working environment and, if necessary, to equip employees with appropriate protective clothing. Within this framework, work clothing is part of personal protective equipment, that is, PPE.
The law’s requirements differ by industry. In construction it may be a high-visibility vest, a helmet and stable footwear. In the medical field – hygienic, easily washable fabric with antibacterial properties, and in the hotel business a uniform that meets hygiene standards and the brand’s requirements at the same time.
Tens of thousands of companies operate in these industries in Georgia. In the construction sector alone there are more than 16,000 registered enterprises. The companies’ employees work daily in an environment where the risk of injury is high. It is precisely in this sector that PPE standards are controlled most strictly.
In recent years the labor inspectorate has significantly increased the number of visits to enterprises. The violations identified during these visits end with administrative sanctions – fines or the suspension of activity. Some businesses still consider a work uniform an operating expense. In reality, the labor inspectorate’s fines, the medical costs associated with an injury and employee turnover cost much more than purchasing appropriate clothing.
A brand that everyone notices
Work clothing is an important visible element for a company that affects employees. Research shows that a unified corporate uniform influences the sense of responsibility. A person who wears clothing with the company logo feels a different work atmosphere. This psychological effect is confirmed by numerous experiments.
A customer who enters a hotel reception first of all notices the staff’s appearance. This impression, consciously or unconsciously, evokes an association of quality. The same happens in a medical clinic, a restaurant chain, the banking or logistics field.
In this context, the uniform’s design becomes part of the brand strategy. The placement of the logo, the combination of colors – every detail reflects how the company positions itself.
However, reflecting the brand’s character in work clothing is not easy. The logo’s color may transfer differently onto different fabrics, and the type of seam or cut may determine whether wearing the clothing throughout a work day is comfortable. It is precisely these details that the Leader tailoring facility has taken into account since 2016. Made-to-order work clothing tailoring is based on an individual approach and the specific requirements of various companies.
In practice, a situation is common where a company buys a standard-size uniform, and employees wear it every day but feel discomfort. A work shift is often 8-10 hours. During this time the fabric’s breathability, the placement of the seams and the type of cut affect the staff’s comfort.
- For medical staff the fabric must be easily washable and keep its shape. A TRS-type material – a combination of polyester, viscose and spandex – is durable, comfortable and also has antibacterial properties. Along with hospitals and clinics, these requirements also apply to dental, laboratory and other specialized institutions.
- And for builders the priority is different – durable fabric and stable reflective stripes. The standard for these stripes is regulated internationally: EN ISO 20471 divides high-visibility clothing into three types according to the risk of the working environment. This standard is also taken into account in Georgian legislation.
- In the HoReCa sector – hotel, restaurant, catering facilities – the requirements are twofold. The uniform, along with hygiene standards, must also serve the brand’s visual communication.
These differences show why one standard-production garment cannot satisfy every case. A uniform used in one industry cannot work in another.
Local production
In recent years, local production has become a rather practical choice for businesses. The reason is the following: communication is simple and the possibility of change exists. In addition, at a local facility, individual agreement on sizes, fabric selection and sample production are possible before serial production.
The Leader tailoring facility manages the full cycle – it starts from consultation and fabric selection and ends with quality control and delivery. This approach is especially important for companies that need different uniforms for different departments.
What is changing on the Georgian market?
In Georgian companies, the attitude toward a work uniform is developing in two directions. The first – a legal requirement, which especially affects the construction, medical and food sectors. The second – interest in the brand’s image, which increases the demand for corporate uniforms in the service field.
By the end of 2024, the number of people employed in the Georgian economy exceeded 866,000. The formalization of the business environment, the growth of the tourism sector and the expansion of the medical industry further reinforce this trend.
Companies that answer two tasks – compliance with the law and brand integration – with a single decision make a more justified choice in the long term.
Do not postpone presenting your business’s visual identity – contact the Leader tailoring facility, which will make the workwear you want for you while keeping to the deadlines.