Sustainable and Ethical Clothing in the Workplace: How Businesses Can Take the Lead on Better Fashion Choices
Now more than ever, companies are recognizing the importance of taking an active role in promoting sustainability and ethical fashion choices in their workplaces. With the rapid growth of ‘green’ fashion and the current public outcry over the shockingly poor working conditions of low-wage garment workers, business leaders know that it’s both the right and smart thing to do to support ethical and sustainable fashion within their workplaces.
The following offers companies a few helpful suggestions on how they can better support sustainable and ethical clothing in the workplace.
Encourage Workers to Incorporate Sustainable Fashion into Their Outfits
The easiest way for businesses to encourage sustainable fashion in the workplace is to simply encourage employees to coordinate sustainable and ethical fashion items into their work outfits. This could include anything from vintage clothing to responsible fiber apparel from outerwear to T-shirts.
Businesses can partner with ethical fashion brands or re-sellers to get their employees the clothing they need from sustainable and ethical sources. Doing so will ensure that the people wearing such apparel are in turn supporting responsible and sustainable manufacturing practices.
Find Suppliers Who Prioritize Responsible Manufacturing Practices
Businesses looking for the best looking and highest quality uniforms and other office attire can find a variety of suppliers who prioritize responsible manufacturing practices. Taking the time to source clothing items through such companies will help to minimize the possibility of utilizing unethical practices.
When selecting corporate clothing suppliers, companies should look for companies that are transparent in their production process. In doing so, they can verify that labor costs, material components and processes are being done ethically, enabling them to better manage their own sustainability goals.
Adopt a Defined Corporate Social Responsibility Policy
Businesses should also be sure to adopt a solid corporate social responsibility policy. Such a policy should serve to ensure that any item within the workplace wardrobe is acquired from and manufactured according to the highest standards of ethics and sustainability.
As part of their social responsibility policy, businesses should also strive to cultivate a work environment that does not discriminate against or treat unfairly employees based on the clothing or accessories they are wearing. This is especially important for companies that enforce uniform policies or use uniforms as part of their work wardrobe, as it will ensure that everyone is given fair treatment regardless of their clothing choices.
Benefits of Supporting Sustainable and Ethical Fashion in the Workplace
There are plenty of great benefits to be had when businesses decide to support more sustainable and ethical fashion in their workplaces.
Improved Employee Wellbeing: Sourcing clothing ethically helps to reduce the negative effects of the apparel industry, namely the exploitation of its workers.
Boosts Your Brand: Companies who prioritize ethical and sustainable fashion production also benefit from the PR boost that comes with it.
Reduced Environmental Impact: Knowing that any item within the company’s wardrobe has been manufactured responsibly helps to reduce the negative environmental impact associated with unethical garment production.
As the fashion industry deals with an ever-increasing demand for its products, it’s more important now than ever for companies to lead the charge in promoting responsible and sustainable fashion choices within their own businesses. While it may take some time and commitment initially to get the ethical and sustainable fashion ball rolling, the long-term benefits are well worth the effort for any company that truly cares about the wellbeing of its customers, employees, and the environment.
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