Getting your employees to wear identity badges is sometimes necessary but unfortunately more difficult than it might sound. Even senior employees can often forget their badge, leave it at home or just take it off because it’s an annoyance they would rather do without. Other problems include the fact that many identity badges are deemed to be ugly, difficult to wear or just too forgettable.
As an employer, you might have had experience with some of these problems in the past and are looking for a way around them. If you’ve never tried, then this is your first approach. Either way, here are a few simple steps to get your employees to regularly wear their identity badges.
Make Them Easy To Wear
By putting pins or lanyards on your identity badges, you can make them easy to wear and therefore more likely to be worn. Most of the time lanyards are the easiest choice because they don’t put holes in clothing, can be taken off quickly and are less likely to be thrown in the wash with an old shirt. Either way, the identity badge should be protected with plastic laminate to ensure that it won’t be ruined by accidental washing.
Explain the Rules & Why They Are Wearing the Badge
Most of the time an employee identity badge is for the benefit of both employees and customers so make sure you explain it. Identification badges can help customers to distinguish who they should be talking to (such as in a book store, restaurant or pretty much any type of store), help employees to locate each other in crowed businesses and even let security (such as in a museum or private company) know that you’re allowed in. Explain your reasoning thoroughly so that your employees understand it, they’ll be more likely to wear the badges.
Outline That the Badges Should Be Visible
The biggest problem that most businesses have with identity cards is that many employees don’t realise that the badge has to be visible. Many believe that as long as it is on their person, they are fine. Try outlining in a briefing that the badge should be visible at all times and supply lanyards, pins or other forms of attachment to help facilitate that visibility. If you make it easy to follow the rules, they will. Most of the time visible means above the waist and face up so that the identity of the person can be clearly seen by anyone.
Don’t Make It Ugly
Chances are you wouldn’t want to wear something ugly, so don’t make your employees do it. Try aiming for tasteful colours and graphics that will look good with your uniform (if you have one) and make it look professional. Most employees are more likely to wear something that looks more like a cool back stage pass or crime scene investigation pass, rather than something that has a McDonalds arch or smiley face on it. It’s less embarrassing should their significant other or crush come in and it is more wearable should they forget to take it off when they leave work.
On the same note, take a look at the lanyards you’re using for the badges. Are they bright neon and screaming ‘ugly’ against any outfit? Beaded lanyards, plain black lanyards and other similar options are much more likely to be worn because they look like decoration, not a 60’s fashion statement.
Getting your employees to wear identity badges or lanyards can be a little difficult at first, especially if they aren’t used to it. But with a little practice, consistent reminders and perhaps an offer of a small bonus for anyone who wears their badge every day that month, you will soon be on the right track.
For new employees, try handing your lanyards and ID badges out the first day they come into work. This will tell the employee from day one that they are expected to wear the badge with no exceptions, making them more likely to remember it every time.
The best way to display an ID badge is on a lanyard. You can find a variety of wholesale lanyards that you can print and customise to your business through online retailers.