Some Companies Have Uniforms For Their Staff- IELTS Writing Task 2

Some companies have uniforms for their staff which must be worn at all times. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.

Outline

Essay Type

Advantages and Disadvantages essay

Introduction 

The views of how uniforms are used in a company are stated.

Paragraph 1 – The advantages of a uniform – how it creates a distinct identity for a company and how it instils homogeneity within a workforce are given with explanation.

Paragraph 2 – The countering arguments like uniforms becoming obsolete, progression of the workplace etiquette, safety issues and employee well-being are discussed with some examples.

Conclusion 

Restate the views.

Sample Essay

Uniforms are utilised in abundance in schools, but companies seem to be adopting them for their employees too. It is seen that many companies decree their employees to wear a uniform. This essay will elucidate the advantages and disadvantages of implementing a uniform for company staff.

A uniform instils homogeneity within an organisation. Different backgrounds of the employees become unimportant as they become a part of a collective workforce. A uniform clearly demarcates the employees of one organisation from others. So, one can say that a uniform sets a distinct image of the employees, ergo the company, and the image is an important selling point for a company. Moreover, maintaining a uniform can save the money and time of employees. It is because they do not have to waste their time choosing a different dress for their workplaces everyday. They can also save a huge amount of money by not purchasing too many items of clothing.

Uniforms have certain negative connotations as well. For example, one can say that uniforms have become redundant and obsolete. The world has progressed well and far beyond the traditionality in the workplace that was maintained by the uniform. Another argument can also be raised about the safety and well-being of an employee. For example, air hostesses’ uniform includes wearing heels, and scientific research says that wearing heels for prolonged periods puts excessive strain on the feet, sometimes resulting in chronic pain or permanent deformation.

In conclusion, I agree that the positives outweigh the negatives in the case of uniforms. On top of that, uniformity instils an identity unique to a company, which is very important and hence this practice should be carefully implemented.

Vocabulary

• Distinct

Meaning:unique; recognizably different.
Example – The patterns of spoken language are distinct from those of writing.

• Redundant

Meaning: not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous.
Example – Many of the old skills had become redundant.

• Obsolete

Meaning:outdated.
Example – The machinery the printing press uses has become obsolete and due for change.

• Chronic

Meaning: persisting for a long time or constantly recurring
Example – My lifestyle has resulted in chronic back problems.

• Deformation

Meaning:the action or process of deforming or distorting.
Example – Solid rocks undergo slow deformation over the course of thousands of years.

• Homogeneity

Meaning:the quality or state of being all the same or all of the same kind.
Example – The cultural homogeneity of our society is wonderful.

• Ergo

Meaning: therefore.
Example – She was the sole beneficiary of the will, ergo the prime suspect.

• Etiquettes

Meaning: the customary code of polite behaviour in society or among members of a particular profession or group.
Example – The etiquette of this place is changing as we evolve.

• Uniformity

Meaning: the quality or state of being uniform.
Example – An attempt to impose administrative and cultural uniformity by the government is seen as a bad move.

• Implemented

Meaning:put (a decision, plan, agreement, etc.) into effect.
Example – The scheme to implement student loans is in effect.