STUDY ON THE CURRENT TRENDS OF UNIFORMS USED IN LUXURY HOTELS SUBMITTED BY : NAYLA RIZVI A rd Year

INTRODUCTION The uniform department is part of the linen room, which caters to the uniforms of all the employees of the hotel. At the time of joining an employee is given a slip against which the uniform room issues. The uniform attendant takes the measurements for the uniform to be made. The uniforms are hung in the room according to the various departments and then according to size. The uniforms are tagged with either the name of the employee or by size. Each employee has 2 – 3 sets of uniform, depending also on the nature of the job. This process is very efficient and ensures a smooth function. Uniform Room Services allows us to focus on our work. It helps to operate, saving the time, money, and hassle of operating the uniforms.

SIGNIFICANCE OF UNIFORMS IN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY There are two theories about planning and purchasing uniforms, depending on the nature of your operation, and whether you are concerned with the back or the front of house. On view is that uniforms should add to the atmosphere, be part of the “stage set” and attract attention.Another slant is that the uniforms add uniformity and help employees to be less conspicuous. “An attractive person usually does not look as attractive in a uniform and a unattractive person looks better, therefore your create a balance among your employees.

R OLE OF UNIFORM ROOM Issue of fresh uniforms to all the staff members in exchange of the soiled uniform. Upkeep of all uniforms and their maintenance Issue of footwear to all hotel staff up to supervisory level.

REGISTERS MAINTAINED Stock register Inventory register Shoes register Uniform issue register Gate passbook Logbook Laundry register Discard register Food and Beverage outlet uniform register

UNIFORM DEPARTMENT All the uniforms should be sorted out in the following categories before sending them to the laundry. Kitchen Coats and Aprons Kitchen Trousers White cotton uniforms Color cotton Uniforms Color Terry – cotton Uniforms White Terry – cotton uniforms Terry wool Uniforms and dry – cleaning Saris and blouses

PROCEDURES OF UNIFORM DEPARTMENT Whenever there is a discrepancy in the number of items mentioned in the guest laundry slip the Laundry personnel must immediately inform the guest. If there are any undeclared stains or damages on the garment should be processed only after confirming with the guest. Any special instructions should be mentioned on a blackboard in the guest laundry section and should be followed strictly. If there are any stains on the garment which could not be removed, it should be sent back to the guest with a ‘Stain Card’. If the valet is unable to pick up or deliver any laundry due to a ‘D.N.D.’ sign he must place a ‘D.N.D.’ slip under the door.

SELECTION CRITERIA OF UNIFORMS FOR DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS Selecting your uniforms is as important as selecting your decor. After all, the front line staff create the first and most lasting impressions with customers, patients and/or guests. The staff should select uniform that matches the type of work done in the hotel. The uniform selected should be in range of the hotel The uniform selected should be very comfortable in working and should also have good eye appeal.

IMPORTANCE OF UNIFORMS Support the organization’s total image Reflect the level of professionalism of the organization Blends with the style and overall theme/décor of the facility Comply with regulatory standards Appropriate for the different functions Comfortable to wear: fabric – fit Attractive and flattering to employees: color – styles Easy to accessorize Easy to maintain Cost-effective

U NIFORM P ROGRAM S TEPS

RECEIPT When the employee leaves the organization he/she has to deposit the uniform to the uniform room. The clearance is to be sent to the accounts department by the linen keeper and executives house keeper and only then are the final bills of the employee settled.

NUMBER OF SETS ISSUED The nature of job and the department in which the employee is working - The number depends on whether the department involves physical/manual labour degree and amount of perspiration, wear and tear, soilage creases etc. The employee contact with the guest – a clean well laundered good appealing and crisp uniform helps in casting a lasting impression on the guest. Hence the employees that have more guest contact should have more of uniforms as they have to be prim and proper. Materials used and how often the uniform needs cleaning – As the material of sets vary, the number also varies, depending upon the general texture, durability, heat resistance, resistance to stains etc. if the material has the above mentioned attributes and gets dried soon then the number of sets can be minimized.

EXCHANGE Clean for dirty basis. Uniform slip method – Here the employee deposits a soiled uniform. He shows the slip the next day and gets a clean uniform. Master key to lockers – A uniform attendant may be given a master key to all lockers so that at a convenient time he can put the clean uniform and take the dirty one but this invades the privacy of the employee. Hanging soiled uniforms outside lockers – The employee have their soiled uniforms outside the locker and the laundry attendant can collect them and replace with a clean one.

ISSUING When a new employee is employed a uniform issue slip is given to the uniform department, prior to the date of joining by the personal department. This slip has informations like the new recruits name, position, department, date of joining etc. The measurements are taken and a uniform stitched. this is issued to him against his signature in the uniform issue register or card as it may be. This has information about the exact type and number of sets of uniforms he is receiving. By this acknowledgement of the care and use of the uniforms received.

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