Wow! This is quite the conversation.
As an up and coming student I’d like to put my two cents in.
I can understand the desire to delineate
between staff and general population, and it makes sense to me to an extent.
However, taking it to the limit and saying my way or the highway seems rather
extreme. If it’s just a dress code, that’s reasonable enough
(but I’ve seen that go overboard too). But forcing people to wear a
uniform seems rather militaristic (unless you’re a military museum where
it makes sense). The people on your staff have been educated enough to
stand out for their educational accomplishments, not to blend in to obscurity
looking like every other staff member.
How many names do you remember from your
local McDonalds? You don’t because they’re just faces serving
you, not individuals.
You build interaction within your
community on a one to one basis and that requires your people to be recognized
(visible name tags, unique add-ons such as ties or vests) but not to blend into
the background where they’re relegated to answering where the bathroom is
all the time because guests can’t separate the staff from the volunteer
docents. *breathe*
Yeah… I’m done.
Have a nice day,
Christopher Reeves
Margaret,
I am glad
that someone finally spoke with a contrary opinion. The people who work
for you sign on with an understanding of expectations, usually outlined in an
employee handbook. If they don't like an aspect of your rules, it is not
their place to expect change. Whether it be a uniform or a dress code,
the people on your staff are representative of your organization, so if the
administration wants them to dress a certain way to present an image to the
guests, ultimately the people we are there for, then that is the way it
goes. If they don't like it, they can always find the door.
Jim
Sturgill
Manager of Education and External Relations