UNIFORMS AND UNIFORM ROOM

UNIFORMS:-
Uniforms are outfits of a specified material, colour and design, usually provided by the
establishment, for certain staff such that all employees in an equivalent or similar position wear
identical outfits.

Uniform vary according to the: -

 Department and designation
 Area of work
 Authority level
 Nature of work
 Climate

Uniforms are issued to most people who work in the hospitality industry, especially the
salaried employees. Employees in the back of the house areas normally wear functional yet
pleasing uniforms. Uniforms for front of the house departments such as Front Office and Food and
Beverage must be functional and they must go with the ambience of the area they work in. In most
hotels, the housekeeping department is the custodian of uniforms for all hotel employees.

Advantages of providing staff uniforms:-

Providing uniforms for the staff is an essential at most hospitality properties, for the following
reasons:
 They ensure a well groomed appearance for the staff.
 They help to create an atmosphere or set the scene. For example, uniform may match the
décor of the theme of the property.
 They help identify the hotel staff and their designation to the guest.
 They help differentiate between staff and guest.
 They provide comfort for the staff, if made in right design for work.
 They enhance the spirit of teamwork.
 They allow employees to save money on working clothes and costs of laundering.
 It is easier for staff to take up messy jobs when they know that their own clothes are not
involved.
 Some uniforms have protective role.
 Some uniform confer prestige on the wearer.
Standard types of uniforms in Indian hotels
Uniform Meant For Dept./ Position For Purpose
Article Male Female Which used
Practicality Protective

Lab Coat   HK 
Neck scarves   FP 
Salwar kamiz  HK 
Saree  FO, HK, FS, SL 
Sherwani  DOORMAN 
Shoes   FS, FO, HK, FP, EG 
Skirt  FS, FO, HK, SL 
Shirt   FS, FO, HK, EG, SL 
Trouser   FS, HK, EG, SL, SC 
Turban  DOORMAN 
Tie   FS, SL, FO, HK, MGR 
Waist coat   FS, MANAGERS 
Socks  FS, FO, HK, FP, SC  
Stocking  FS, FO, HK, FP, SC  

Standard types of uniforms in Indian hotels

Uniform Meant For Dept./ Position For Purpose
Article Male Female Which used
Practicality Protective

Apron   FP, KS 
Belt   ALL DEPT. 
Blouse  HK, FO, FS, SL 
Bow Tie   FS 
Cap   KS, SC  
Chef’s Cap   FP  
Chef’s Coat   FP  
Chef’s Trouser   FP  
Coat   FS,FO,HK,SL, MGR. 
Dungarees  EG 
Gloves – Cloth   FS 
Gloves – Rubber   EG, HK 
Jackets   FO, FS 
Kurta  HK, FO 
 UNIFORM ROOM
The uniform room is a central depot for hotel staff uniform and this is the place from where clean
articles are distributed throughout the establishment. The uniform room always exists in close
association with the linen room. The bulk of clean uniform awaiting reuse are stored here.

Activities of Uniform Room

 Uniform Selection
 Establishing par levels for uniforms
 Uniform Issue and Exchange
 Collection of soiled uniforms
 Counting and sorting of uniforms
 Dispatch of soiled uniforms to the laundry
 Receipt of fresh uniforms form the laundry
 Sorting of fresh uniform
 Uniform Storage
 Stitching, repairing of the uniform
 Stocktaking

Selection and Design of Uniform

Terrycots are the most popular choice of uniforms as they have the advantages of both
natural and synthetic fibers. Suiting materials are used for trousers and skirts.
Drill is the popular choice for cooks coats and aprons as it is cool, durable and easy to
maintain. Gabardine or any white suiting material may be used for chefs’ coat, as they keep
up appearance.

Points to be considered while designing uniform:-

General profile of the employees:- The hotels ethos and the employees work profiles. Some
hotels even involve the staff concerned while designing the staff uniforms.

Image and Identity of the property:- If the hotel wants to create a desirable, eye catching, smart,
efficient and professional image, the uniforms should be chosen reflect, and indeed create, this
impression. The uniforms can match the décor and theme of the hotel.

Comfort in wear:- This depends on the right fabric being used, and even more important on a good
fit. Hotel staff has to be active and hardworking and the uniform should complement this.

Purpose of work:- Designing for the purpose of work is the most important. A pair of dungarees or
overalls must have several deep pockets for the for the maintenance employees to keep the tools
handy. Shoes chosen for the cooks must be skid proof.

Appearance and style:- A uniform should be designed in such a way that it will look equally good
on the fat and thin, the tall or short. Well made garments use fabrics that are designed for heavy
wear, and their workmanship must support that.

Climatic conditions of the place:- these must be considered especially if the hotel is not centrally
air conditioned. A full sleeved Terylene shirt with a tie can be stifling for a steward in a humid area.
Budget and value for money:- In the selection of fabric for uniforms, one should keep in mind the
budget allocated for uniforms and seek value for money. Laundering and maintaining uniforms is a
challenge. Uniforms that look good, are comfortable, and maintain their appearance through
number of cycle are more economical than cheaper garments that do not perform or last.

Fabric:- Fabric selection is also a critical factor to consider when purchasing material for uniforms.
Cotton outfits are preferred as they are porous and more absorbent than polyester and cotton
blends. However cotton blends are popular because they have better soil release qualities and
retain some coolness.

Ease of availability of material:- 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 staff turnover
areas to address this problem. Trousers and skirts can be elasticized waistbands to accommodate
different sizes.

Establishing par levels for uniforms:-

When deciding the number of sets of uniforms needed by staff, the following factors are to be
considered:-

Uniform Material:- the life expectancy of a uniform is between 12-18 months and the material
chosen should last for the expected life span.

Nature of job: - Some jobs in the hotel are strenuous in nature. These jobs include those of GRA’s,
housemen, utility workers, the maintenance crew and so on. These workers may require a change
of uniform more often.

Frequency of laundering: - Depending on how often uniforms are sent to the laundry and whether
the laundry is in house or a contracted service would influence the no. of sets required as well.

Calculating par stock quantity for uniforms:-

Following information is required if stocks are to be established:

 Total no. of uniformed employees in the hotel, their department and their designation.
 Man-woman ratio
 Staff turnover patterns
 Frequency of laundering
 Time taken for laundering

Issue of Uniforms:-
Issuing uniforms for new Employees: - In case of new employees, uniforms are issued against
uniform issue slip received from the personnel department. The employee is required to sign for his
or her particular uniform. Then uniform is issued from the uniform room, where the name a,
department and the items issued are entered in the register and the signature of the employees is
taken.
 Sample Uniform Issue Slip
Uniform Issue Slip
Name of the employee ___________ Date ___________________
Token No. ______________________ Date of Joining ___________
Designation_____________________
Department _____________
Uniform ________________________
Uniform Issued on________________ No. of Sets ______________
Uniform Issued to _________
_____________________ _____________________
Personnel Manager Uniform room Supervisor

I accept responsibility of the uniforms issued to me. I understand that uniform

should not be taken out of the hotel premises. On leaving the organization,
uniform shall be duly returned to the uniform room.
_____________________
Signature of the Employee

Uniform Exchange: - The procedures adopted by any organization may vary. Normally following
procedures may be adopted.

Uniform Exchange procedure:-

One on one basis: - Also known as clean for dirty basis. A uniform register is maintained by uniform room
staff in which movement of uniforms is recorded.

Uniform slip Method: - When employees’ deposits the soiled uniform and takes the clean one on the
following day, make out the uniform exchange slip in duplicate. Original slip is given to the employees and
the duplicate is retained in the uniform slip book. The employee has to produce the uniform slip to put forth
his/her claim for the uniform.

Master Key to Lockers: - A uniform attendant may be given a master key to all lockers so that at
convenient time he can put the clean uniform and take the dirty one but this invades the privacy of the
employees.

Hanging soiled uniforms outside lockers: - The employees hang their soiled uniforms outside the
lockers and the laundry attendant can collect them and replace them with a clean one
 Sample Uniform Exchange Slip

Uniform Exchange Slip

Serial No._____ Date_____ Token No.______
- Coat - Shirts
- Saris - Caps
- Pants - Chef Coat
Linen and Uniform Room Supervisor____________
Employee__________

Sample Page of Uniform Register

Uniform Register
Date Laundry No. Time Time cleared Remarks
Received from counter ( If Any)
At Counter

Linen and Uniform Room Supervisor______________