Staff Uniforms

[randyrippley]

Not a lot of use at the end of a windswept platform in the driving rain.

It'll keep your head dry. And warm

 

[EM2]

It'll keep your head dry. And warm

It won't. Because the key word was 'windswept', and it will get blown off my head and end up fifty yards up the line.

 

[whhistle]

Sounds outdated to me and I'd hazard a guess it's only a matter of time until firms operating like this face a legal challenge by soneone being fired due to their beard not being cut right and all these rules are reigned back in. People aren't as enthusiastic about the old trolley dolly type themes of the 90s airline as they once were.

This is it.
An increasing number of people use airlines as a means to get from A to B... even commuting!
The romance and thrill about planes is being left in the past when it was new, exclusive, for the minority.

 

[Mintona]

As a driver, at my TOC I have a choice between smart or casual uniform. I opted for the smart version, as I’ve always dressed smart at work and I like to feel and look the part. However, this does mean that very few people, including colleagues, realise I’m a driver so I bought one of those little badges that says ‘train driver’ on and wear that now too.

 

[Rail Blues]

It won't. Because the key word was 'windswept', and it will get blown off my head and end up fifty yards up the line.[/QUO

Having worn a heavy woollen formal hat (Glengarry) in the rain, it doesn't keep it either warm or dry even if it does stay on. It becomes sodden, smelly and is like wearing a block of wet concrete on your head. What will keep your head dry is a waterproof coat with a decent peaked hood.

While this seems extreme, it meant there was no if and buts from anyone. It also made the whole team look incredibly smart, made us stand out from passengers and look like we had authority

Yes, when I have flown and have seen the air hosts and hostesses all done up to the nines in their polyester uniforms, I think 'they're there to flog as much perfume, overpriced drinks and scratchcards not' here is an authority figure'. If a smart uniform was so effective why do so many people ignore the safety demonstrations and instructions to switch off phones, keep seat belts on etc.? Issued by staff in formal wear.

 

[Llanigraham]

Having read this thread I hope none of you ever visit any signal boxes.
Although we are given a choice of smart or casual most wear the casual and even that can be lax. I can think of rural boxes where shorts and sandals are the norm in the summer and as long as the top isn't red or green no-one cares.

 

[Tom Quinne]

We’re told we’re not allowed to wear navel blue shorts which are pretty much a shorts version of your casual issue trousers, but we can wear jeans !

 

[LowLevel]

Having read this thread I hope none of you ever visit any signal boxes.
Although we are given a choice of smart or casual most wear the casual and even that can be lax. I can think of rural boxes where shorts and sandals are the norm in the summer and as long as the top isn't red or green no-one cares.

Nothing nicer to remind you of simpler times than cruising through the middle of nowhere on a Sunday afternoon to see the bobby has got the family around for lunch and the dog sat on the box steps.

 

[EM2]

What will keep your head dry is a waterproof coat with a decent peaked hood.

Exactly. A cap is fine, if you never go outdoors!

 

[randyrippley]

It won't. Because the key word was 'windswept', and it will get blown off my head and end up fifty yards up the line.

So get one that fits!

 

[LowLevel]

Peaked caps can get stuffed. I don't wear hats. I don't like them, they make your head hot and they invariably itch. I've made an exception about twice in the last 10 years when it's been snowing heavily and that's mostly to try and stop my ears hurting.

We can choose to have one and given there's only about 5 people who do it goes to show the staff opinion.

 

[Rail Blues]

So get one that fits!

Still won't keep your head warm or dry in the rain, even if it is made to measure.

 

[otomous]

I think the rail industry needs to look at airlines.

I used to work for an Airline and our uniform was checked every time I arrived at work. Even jewellery, hairstyles and facial hair had standards. Anything that was not standard you was asked to remove or given a warning. Nothing additional was allowed, no clips, no badges or buttons. Even your watch had to be non-descript. It was all listed in a guide we were given when we joined.

While this seems extreme, it meant there was no if and buts from anyone. It also made the whole team look incredibly smart, made us stand out from passengers and look like we had authority. It just elevates the experience to have the crew who are smart than wearing a scruffy polo and baggy trousers.

What I will say though is our uniform was very good quality. We were provided with everything from our bags and coats down to a woolly hat for winter. If anything broke it was replaced but in the 5 years, I worked there very little needed replacing most of the time. The uniform was also tested 3 months with staff members prior to been rolled out. Once it was rolled out we all had a fitting so we got the correct size.

I think for frontline staff its essential to have a cohesive and smart appearance. I agree drivers should be allowed to wear a polo shirt and smart trousers as they are not customer facing.

Hmm, big difference between the controlled environments cabin crew work in and the wide variety of scummy platforms and storerooms and toilets rail staff have to work in or clean in all weathers. Or open dusty panels to reset passcomms or smoke alarms. Or set up grimy ramps. Imagine the ground crew dressed up.

 

[Rail Blues]

Hmm, big difference between the controlled environments cabin crew work in and the wide variety of scummy platforms and storerooms and toilets rail staff have to work in or clean in all weathers. Or open dusty panels to reset passcomms or smoke alarms. Or set up grimy ramps. Imagine the ground crew dressed up.

I agree, I'd guess the likes of tank and rippely who are arguing in favour of putting staff in absurd, impractical costumes have never had the dubious pleasure of spending 9 hours working in the rain or sub zero temperatures with no form of cover or waterproof clothing. To them and their ilk I say this: Tell you what, wait til mid December get the train to Scotland and spend a whole day stood in the open with hail blowing horizontally at you in whatever you want to dress railway staff up in and if you are still keen on the idea, your opinions might be worth listening to.

 

[randyrippley]

I agree, I'd guess the likes of tank and rippely who are arguing in favour of putting staff in absurd, impractical costumes have never had the dubious pleasure of spending 9 hours working in the rain or sub zero temperatures with no form of cover or waterproof clothing. To them and their ilk I say this: Tell you what, wait til mid December get the train to Scotland and spend a whole day stood in the open with hail blowing horizontally at you in whatever you want to dress railway staff up in and if you are still keen on the idea, your opinions might be worth listening to.

Well...........if you'd like to join me in some of my previous jobs working on farms or building sites in winter I'm sure I could teach you a damned sight more about bad weather work than you'd ever care to know.
Seems to me you're little bit pampered

 

[Rail Blues]

Well...........if you'd like to join me in some of my previous jobs working on farms or building sites in winter I'm sure I could teach you a damned sight more about bad weather work than you'd ever care to know.
Seems to me you're little bit pampered

Well then, how how would you respond to a boss on a building site who told you that he expected you to do your job on a suit and tie? Why don't you apply the same logic to railway staff.

 

[randyrippley]

Well then, how how would you respond to a boss on a building site who told you that he expected you to do your job on a suit and tie? Why don't you apply the same logic to railway staff.

I never said anything about suits and ties
My only comment was over a daft statement that caps don't work. They do - if they fit

 

[EM2]

My only comment was over a daft statement that caps don't work. They do - if they fit

They don't. To have any chance of staying put in high wind, they have to fit so tightly that they're uncomfortable.

 

[cactustwirly]

Well then, how how would you respond to a boss on a building site who told you that he expected you to do your job on a suit and tie? Why don't you apply the same logic to railway staff.

Railway staff don't work on building sites...
Construction workers aren't customer facing, you can't do customer facing work in any old casual uniform as it looks really unprofessional.
I have to say, some of you guys need to work in the real world, as I don't see any real arguments why platform staff, guards, drivers etc shouldn't wear suits and ties.

 

[EM2]

I don't see any real arguments why platform staff, guards, drivers etc shouldn't wear suits and ties.

Because they're not always suitable. But also, from an aesthetic point of view, a lot of station staff have to wear a hi-viz, and frankly they look terrible over a suit.

 

[cactustwirly]

Because they're not always suitable. But also, from an aesthetic point of view, a lot of station staff have to wear a hi-viz, and frankly they look terrible over a suit.

Why are they not always suitable?
I can understand a depot mechanic wearing a more functional uniform.

 

[HowardGWR]

I liked the reply from Mintona. I think it is useful for drivers to be distinguishable from platform and train staff, although they should always be prepared to answer customer queries to the best of their ability, even if it is only to politely direct customers to those who know.
All staff should be dressed smartly and exude efficiency. They should get a decent clothing provision and should be encouraged not to be obese. A healthy body and all that.

 

[EM2]

Why are they not always suitable?
I can understand a depot mechanic wearing a more functional uniform.

Let's say you have to do a platform security patrol, or litter picking. It's cold and lashing rain. What protection does a suit give? Even if you have a coat, what about your trousers?

 

[cactustwirly]

Let's say you have to do a platform security patrol, or litter picking. It's cold and lashing rain. What protection does a suit give? Even if you have a coat, what about your trousers?

You wear a smart company coat.
The trousers get wet, but that's the same with any other job.
If it was such a problem, then why do European railway staff wear suits?

 

[EM2]

If it was such a problem, then why do European railway staff wear suits?

I don't know. Maybe they don't do the same duties?
OK, so now I have a smart company coat (and wet trousers). Now, after my patrol, I'm on mobility assistance, and I have to put down ramps. So my smart company coat gets caught in the ramp, or drags on the floor in the puddles. Now I have a mucky, wet coat, and my tie is flapping about all over the place in the wind.
You say that 'some of you guys need to work in the real world', please take it from someone that has done this job in the real world that suits aren't always suitable.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Why are they not always suitable?
I can understand a depot mechanic wearing a more functional uniform.

An important part of drivers' duties is train preparation, normally in sidings. Quite apart from such places being more exposed to the weather than many stations that task also involves checking items below the solebar, sometimes requiring them to lean in and across various bits of equipment. As such drivers are at relatively high risk of getting their uniform dirty. A practical uniform therefore needs the sort of fit not afforded by a suit. It's also why dark colours work very much better as light soiling is somewhat hidden. Black is a little sombre which is why dark blue is such a good choice for railway uniforms. In practice the same applies to a lesser degree to guards. Both grades also need to be able to climb into a train from ground level: again a standard business style suit is not really practical.

The ultimate uniform wearers are of course the military. They have seriously smart kit for dress occasions but for everyday situations their uniforms are designed to be practical first and smart second. The same thinking should apply to railway uniforms: some operators do this quite well, others less so.

 

[cactustwirly]

An important part of drivers' duties is train preparation, normally in sidings. Quite apart from such places being more exposed to the weather than many stations that task also involves checking items below the solebar, sometimes requiring them to lean in and across various bits of equipment. As such drivers are at relatively high risk of getting their uniform dirty. A practical uniform therefore needs the sort of fit not afforded by a suit. It's also why dark colours work very much better as light soiling is somewhat hidden. Black is a little sombre which is why dark blue is such a good choice for railway uniforms. In practice the same applies to a lesser degree to guards. Both grades also need to be able to climb into a train from ground level: again a standard business style suit is not really practical.

The ultimate uniform wearers are of course the military. They have seriously smart kit for dress occasions but for everyday situations their uniforms are designed to be practical first and smart second. The same thinking should apply to railway uniforms: some operators do this quite well, others less so.

Ok maybe not a business style suit, but something just as smart.
As I said the European railways seem to manage fine, so I don't see why Britain should be any different.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

You wear a smart company coat.
The trousers get wet, but that's the same with any other job.
If it was such a problem, then why do European railway staff wear suits?

A smart coat which is also properly weather-proof is more expensive than most operators are prepared to pay for. And trousers which can remain tolerable to be worn when wet are unlikely to be made of the sort of material used for a business suit.

From what I have seen many railway staff in Europe wear uniforms that look very much to be in the style that we are familiar with here. Again practicality is important and staff are far more likely to keep their appearance to a decent standard if their uniform is both comfortable and practical. Make it feel like an imposition and you get the appropriate response. For many people having an overly dressy uniform is very much an imposition.

Oh and SNCF drivers are not required to wear any uniform whatsoever and are very vociferous about that remaining the case. I am baffled as to why you think European rail staff are smarter than here: my experience is that rail staff tend to have a very similar standard of appearance wherever they are. In fact I would suggest that in practice we are probably a little fussier about uniform than elsewhere.

 

[whhistle]

Regarding all this cap stuff... it's okay to have a difference in opinion.

If you read back, there's many posts just saying "they do work" or "they don't work" -- not everyone is going to agree.

Repeating your opinion that they do or don't isn't exactly bringing anything additional to the conversation.

 

[otomous]

Well...........if you'd like to join me in some of my previous jobs working on farms or building sites in winter I'm sure I could teach you a damned sight more about bad weather work than you'd ever care to know.
Seems to me you're little bit pampered

How is it relevant that some workers spend MORE time in the open air than rail workers? So dress them suitably. Same as us - not asking for privileges or pampering, just appropriate clothing for the role.