What a hot topic!  You never know what's going to get people going.

My two cents: I think uniforms are very appropriate in certain cases, such
as costumes in living history sites or t-shirts for educators in children's
museums and science centers.  I had a similar experience to Sharon's in that
I used to be a Director at a small science center, and when we finally
purchased some very cool t-shirts for staff, volunteers, and summer campers,
everyone was THRILLED.  And as Indigo mentioned, if you make the t-shirts
attractive (or fun or cool), people wear them all over, and thus they become
a great (and FREE) marketing tool!

That said, I am currently working at an art museum that uses laminated
badges on lanyards.  The lanyards have the museum name printed very nicely
on them.  As a uniform goes, I LOVE THEM.  They are simple, unobtrusive, and
one doesn't have to worry about an "unflattering fit".  There is another
nice thing about them: EVERYONE wears them, from the Executive Director to
the volunteers (though the badges do have different color codes).  There is
a very simple sense of unity in that, as well as equality.  And they
obviously identify staff without taking away their individuality.  They may
sound boring, but I really think they are a great choice.

Robyne
-- 
You owe the world, not the other way around.
Jenny Holzer, Truisms
--
Robyne Erica Miles
Lunargent Consulting and Design




On 1/22/05 12:57 PM, "Sharon Koomler" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Well,
> 
> This has been interesting especially in light of the fact that for the 2004
> season I was able to purchase and provide my seasonal interpretive staff with
> "uniform" polo shirts with recognizable logo on them. Every staff person was
> delighted and proud to wear the shirt. They remarked that they felt more like
> a 
> team, that they were obviously recognizable as Museum Staff, and that they
> were able to wear something that was not available for purchase in the store.
> (There were other products in the Museum Store that bore the same logo, but
> not 
> the specific polo shirts worn by the staff.
> 
> Previously there had been a color preference for dress code, but not
> necessarily style. Without an obvious name tag, staff members looked like the
> visiting 
> public, and felt like they did not stand out.  I am pleased to report how
> happy they were to receive the shirts.  We provided two for each, and also had
> surplus for sale at cost if so desired.
> 
> I really don't think that expecting staff members to behave or dress in a
> particular way is insulting or unfair. Policies are usually provided to
> employees 
> upon acceptance of a position, and it is then that the employee should decide
> whether or not it is going to offend them to follow the rules. I agree that
> administration can best serve the public if they also best serve the "front
> line" staff, but as has been mentioned, it's rare that these rules are
> abruptly 
> changed and without consideration for the good of all.
> 
> just an aside, I attended parochial schools and lamented wearing a uniform
> until the end of each year when we were allowed to wear almost anything -
> within 
> limits.  Each morning I then labored over just what to wear and how it
> looked. Oh, today, how I wish for the days of uniforms!
> 
> Sharon Duane Koomler
> Shaker Museum and Library
> Old Chatham and Mount Lebanon, New York
> 
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