clean cut crews.

Having the crew introduce themselves to the customer with more than just a grunt will go a long way to overcome negative stereotypes. I liked to review the work to confirm what is on the work order. In this way it helps the client to build rapport with the crew and reinforce their good choice of your company.
 
We wear uniforms. It creates an appearance of professionalism that promotes our industry. A neat appearance promotes respect and confidence from clients. If you put two people with the same credentials in a line....one not in uniform with an outwardly messy appearance .....and one in uniform and with an outwardly neat appearance....the client will pick the one in uniform. We supply shirts, pants and boots to our crew (winter and summer). We also make sure that each employee's credentials appear on their shirts, jackets or hard hats. Some of our equipment is old, but it is always neat and clean inside and out. Hair and facial hair is not an issue as long as it is neat.
 
To get upset over a beard, dreadlocks, or a tatoo, is absolutely ridiculous. I own a co. and everyone wears logo T's and arborwear tech pants. Would it b ok to overlook someone who appeared as if they had lived a rough life. In some cases that coulld b a lawsuit waiting to happen. A few of my best guys look a little rough, but are well liked by all customers. Performance exceeds looks, to an extent. To be so pigheaded that everyone has to look like you to work for you is horse$hit.
 
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We don't define it the client does.

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Rob makes a good point with this. I wonder what customers think of me when I'm working at there home and there are 3 guys who are all mis-matched (except the helmets w/ muffs). I then wonder what potential customers think of us... And it is the potential customers I want to create a good image for.

So, I'm getting shirts created as we speak. I'm also going to buy us 5 pair (each) of some black (for winter) Dickies Cargo pants. With the black pants and the gold shirts we should look sharp. However, we are going to be in layers soon. So, I'm going to have to get long sleeve shirts done too.
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I guess it'd be better to have a crappy looking crew do clean cuts...than a clean cut crew doing crappy looking cuts...

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That option is easy to rise above if they can do good cuts.

Because good workers can look good in 24 hours or less.

I just enjoyed being with my arborist friend in Indiana last July. They switch shirts about mid-day. All color coordinated.

My preference is short hair, first and foremost for safety, let alone that short hair is considered a clean look among a broader range of people.

It was just a few weeks ago that I heard of someone getting their longer hair caught in tree limbs.

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We don't define it the client does.

Rob makes a good point with this. I wonder what customers think of me when I'm working at there home and there are 3 guys who are all mis-matched

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Seems to me that if the company owner defines the paycheck, and the employees accept the work, then the owner can define the look. But if the owner wants certain shirts, they should pay for them, or pay the cost over and above what a shirt would be if the employee bought just any ol' shirt.

Seems that short groomed beards should be okay, if the length can't get snagged.

I heard an opposite extreme once. Our son started balding early, like in his 20's. So he shaves his head. And I think it looks pretty good for him actually. Anyhow, one man that he was working with about 8 years ago, told him that he should not shave his head because it made him look unapproachable - LOL
 
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Anyhow, one man that he was working with about 8 years ago, told him that he should not shave his head because it made him look unapproachable - LOL

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Comb-Overs are much less intimidating.



SZ
 
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eems to me that if the company owner defines the paycheck, and the employees accept the work, then the owner can define the look. But if the owner wants certain shirts, they should pay for them, or pay the cost over and above what a shirt would be if the employee bought just any ol' shirt.

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Check the employer guide from the IRS and DOL. There is a raft of info on this very subject. Including cleaning allowances and other stuff.

Basically I approach the concept two ways, If it has the likelihood of turning off a customer, then we seriously consider banning it. If it has the possibility of creating a safety hazard then we either bann it or find a way to eliminate the hazard.

Long hair for instance must be tied up, either in a pony tail or under the hat.

Baggies and droopies, Belts and suspenders.

large, vulgar or possibly offensive tats, covered.

Body jewelry, under cover or clothes or out. This includes wedding bands.

Basically if something happens and I will be required by law to pay to fix it then I'll exercise my right to mitigate the problem.

If it causes me to lose customers I'll exercise my right then too.

We hire people to serve customers and to put bread on the table. If an employee, for whatever reason, makes that difficult or impossible to do, we have the right and obligation to address the issue.
 
You know what, I do agree with that. I have a feww guys withs longer hair and they pull it back. Afew of us have beards in the winter, but they are not out of control. I think that it was very well said, "if an employee puts others at risk to lose money than as an employer we have a right to fix it."
 
Week before last, I'm pruning some Japanese maples and stuff in a neighborhood called Waterhouse near here.

The carpet installer guys are there too.

This is within the level of upper class homes.

So the carpet guy has shoes disintegrating, tennis shoe tips torn forward. Ane the holes in the guy's shorts where keys start the wear, have torn and laundered into big several inch holes that you can see the pocket fabric an part of the boxer shorts through.

T- shirt was not as bad, but not great.

I've never seen the like even among the migrant workers in our area that do lawn care or tree work.
 
Clients today want everything. They look for a low price, high quality, professional tree company to care for their trees. If you want their business, give them what they want. Spend a grand, buy matching shirts, put the words professional or expert in your add, give them a price that you can do it for and you're in. Isn't that how we all got started?
If you want to separate yourself, try this. Make all equipment the same color lettered with company logo, shirts same color with company logo, letterhead with company logo, get the point? Get rid of expert and professional and list documented certifications. Crew appearance, it's huge. They're the ones representing your company. If they can't take the time to respect their appearance, why would a client feel comfortable that they would respect their property? We take it one step further. No swearing. Swearing shows a lack of vocabulary, which shows a lack of education.
I guess it comes down to what you want your company to be.
You as the owner have the right to set company standards through an employee handbook. If an employee doesn't like it, they don't have to work for you.
 
Just to set the record straight, TMBM has a real sharp image for the most part. I just have a problem with a few guys that I feel need to cleen it up around the edges. everyones thoghts have been real helpful and after reading everyones posts, I think I'll stick to my guns. I took a bunch of pictures this week at the tree confrence of sharp looking beards and hair cuts, I'm going to pass them around and say: "This is the standard". What Tom said about keeping the neck and cheeks clean and hair above the collar is all I'm really asking for.
 
My winter boss (Ski Patrol Director) calls that look ..."High and Tight" the ski area has nothing against facial hair or clean shaven but you have to choose one or the other ...no growing in after hunting season...
 
If it is your business, the you are reasonable to expect the employees to represent you in the manner you deem appropriate. This can be through appearance or behaviour standards.

There are also some laws that speak to some of this and as long as you are firm, fair and consistent then no, I don't think you are an A$$ hole.

Just be up front, and clear on the matter.
 
What about exceptionally hairy guys?

For example- some people grow alot of hair on their back and up the back of their neck? So would you ask them to keep the back of their neck clean shaven too?

Personally, I think its ridicoulous to dictate how one's facial hair should be kept. As long as they dress in uniform, dont wear tattered clothing and act like a professional whats the problem? Do you really think they are loosing you business?

"Hmmm- Honey which tree service should we hire?"

"Well dear, Id like to hire xyz tree again, you know last time they were here they did such a great job, except for, well, there was that one fellow who was cleaning up the ground. I approached him with a question, and when we spoke I noticed his neck and cheek lines were not trimmed the way Id of liked them to be, I was so appalled!"

If you give 100% professional and respectful service
and you are worried about your clients having or had this conversation, Id say they are not the kind of clients you want. I wouldnt anyway.

Let me ask you this Nevic. If you plan to enforce your new high and tight policy, and you have some opposition ( from your best worker) would you terminate him because he didnt groom himself to your liking?
 
Mabey. But I'm not talking about my best worker. I'm Talking about the guys that are happy to sit at the bottom of the totum and let newer people take their oppertunities. My best workers are happy to help make the Co. look good. Remember this is a coming from me, the tattoo faced Arborist.
 
Nevic, this is aimed at you, aimed in a good way of course. You seem to have a soul patch on your lower lip, and plugs in your ears. Mayb your avatar is fooling me, so dont blow up. But that is what it looks like. You dont look sloppy at all. Very presentable and professional. My whole point is that to appear professional and respectable, you can have longer hair, a beard, and even tattoos, or ear piercings. If that is your photo, you appear very presentable, and in no way could that appearance offend anyone. I agree hair and facial hair need to be kept. Not ratty. There are guys out there with beards and longer hair that are very presentable. People need to keep themselves kept, clean and presentable. BUT TO ME THE PROFILE OF WHAT THE MARINE CORPS SAYS IS CLEAN CUT, IS NOT MY DEFINTION. WHEN I HEAR "HIGH AND TIGHT" I THINK OF THE MILLITARY. Wouldnt you agree?
And tophopper, you customer analogy is hilarious, I love it!!
 
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