CASE STUDY: REDUCE EMPLOYEE TURNOVER WITH THE RIGHT INSULATED WORKWEAR

There are many benefits to providing a uniform to employees, even if they don’t regularly interact with customers or end users. Having a uniform that includes the right insulated workwear is even more important when your employees are working in a low-temperature environment.

Keep reading to learn how one RefrigiWear customer reduced employee turnover from 62% to 34% by implementing a uniform program that includes insulated freezerwear.

The Customer

This RefrigiWear customer is one of the largest cold storage companies in the world. They have facilities around the United States, managing frozen food products for companies worldwide. At one facility in the Northwest, employees use pallet jacks and forklifts to move product in a range of temperatures from 30° F to -10°F, requiring insulated personal protective clothing (PPE).

The Problem

This facility wasn’t providing PPE, so employees were responsible for purchasing their own. There wasn’t an outlined safety program or guide for employees, meaning they were on their own making decisions on the gear they bought to protect themselves from the cold conditions at work.

This often led to them buying cheap gear that couldn’t handle the long days or the low temperatures. Their gear wasn’t getting the job done in more ways than one: freezer employees were cold, productivity was dropping, morale was falling. And expenses were rising quickly due to the high turnover rate.

With a turnover rate of 62%, a few things became apparent:

• Employee morale and productivity needed a boost
• Employees in the freezer needed warmer gear
• Employees needed gear that could handle the job without slowing them down and falling apart

The Solutions

Though it required a higher upfront cost, providing PPE to employees was the best way to make sure they were protected, productive and more satisfied in their jobs. Plus, turnover rates would shrink and so would the associated costs.

RefrigiWear recommended a standard set of head-to-toe insulated workwear that could be adjusted as necessary depending on an employee’s specific tasks. For body protection, we recommended our PolarForce Jacket and PolarForce Bib Overalls. This insulated gear is rated to -40°F and has Performance-Flex at key flex-points to keep movement free and easy.

The PolarForce Collection is made up of high-performance gear perfect for multiple jobs in the freezer. The Bibs pair nicely with the PolarForce Sweatshirt for more physical jobs. To protect the rest of the body, we recommended the PolarForce Hiker Boots, PolarForce Gloves, knit watch caps and the Silver Magic Neck Gaiter. Complete head-to-toe freezerwear protects even when temps felt colder than they really are due to wind chill or lack of movement from driving. A mesh HiVis vest can worn over the garments for added safety in the warehouse.

The Results

The company incurred a higher upfront cost as they began providing the gear for their employees. But due to the durability of our gear and the reduced turnover, the company is already seeing long-term savings.

Employee morale saw a spike after the proper gear was provided. Warmer, more productive, and not paying out-of-pocket meant employees weren’t leaving at the same rate. Employee turnover went from 62% to 34% after this facility started providing insulated PPE.

The company’s operations manager explains, “Since transitioning from employees purchasing their own PPE for the cold conditions to providing RefrigiWear products for each employee, we have been able to cut our turnover percentage from approximately 62% down to 34% and turnover continues to decline. This shows that if we are able to protect the employees from head to toe, they will be more inclined to work in the environment longer and more comfortably, increasing efficiency and employee’s overall wellbeing within the company.”

With productivity up and employee turnover down, even with the higher PPE costs the company is seeing an improvement to their bottom line and will continue to do so.

Explore Freezerwear

If you’re facing high turnover in your freezer or cooler, consider whether an insulated workwear program could be a good fit for your business. Shop our selection of insulated freezer workwear for men and women, or contact RefrigiWear Customer Service for assistance.