Uniform Suppliers: On Maternity and Menopause

Maternity and menopause are major life stages that affect millions of people during their careers, yet both are often left out of uniform design conversations. That oversight can lead to discomfort, exclusion, and even reduced productivity in the workplace. 

At Jermyn Street Design (JSD), we believe that a modern uniform strategy must support all employees through these natural transitions. As a leading staff uniform company, we specialise in creating inclusive workwear and sustainable staff uniforms that meet the real-life needs of wearers.

Uniforms have the power to do more than just unify a team. They can empower employees to feel confident, protected, and respected, if they are designed with inclusion in mind. Our approach ensures no one is left behind, including those navigating pregnancy or menopause.

Understanding the Needs: Maternity and Menopause in the Workplace

Maternity Considerations

Pregnancy is a period of constant physical change. What fits one month may not fit the next. Ill-fitting uniforms during this time can restrict movement, cause discomfort, and impact overall well-being. At JSD, we design sustainable staff uniforms that adapt to a growing body, helping expectant employees feel comfortable and confident throughout their pregnancy.

Some of the features we include in our maternity designs are:

• Stretch side panels and adjustable waistbands for a flexible fit.
• Extended hemlines and higher rise trousers to accommodate a changing silhouette.
• Softer, breathable fabrics that help regulate body temperature and prevent irritation.

We also consider the practical needs of postpartum returners. For example, easy-access tops for nursing and discreet support panels for additional comfort. Our commitment to inclusive workwear ensures our uniforms meet the needs of each stage of fit.

Menopause Considerations

Despite the fact that menopause is experienced by a large proportion of the workforce, it remains a taboo subject in many workplaces and rarely features in uniform policy discussions. That needs to change.

Symptoms such as hot flushes, temperature fluctuations, night sweats, and increased skin sensitivity can be intensified by standard uniform fabrics and rigid cuts. For someone managing these symptoms at work, even a well-pressed blouse can become a source of discomfort and anxiety.

As a forward-thinking staff uniform company, we tackle these challenges head-on by developing sustainable staff uniforms specifically designed for comfort and performance during menopause. These garments often include:

• Moisture-wicking and quick-dry fabrics that help manage perspiration.
• Lightweight, breathable fibres that reduce overheating.
• Layered uniform systems, allowing the wearer to adjust their outfit throughout the day.
• Tagless and seamless finishes to reduce skin irritation.

This is about acknowledging a key demographic in your team and showing that your business values their contribution at every stage of life.

The Role of a Staff Uniform Company in Promoting Inclusivity

True inclusivity requires more than optional size ranges. It demands a cultural shift in how we view workwear. Uniforms should support health, identity, and dignity, not hinder them.

As a leading staff uniform company, JSD puts wearer experience at the centre of every design brief. We collaborate closely with our clients’ HR and ESG teams to develop inclusive workwear policies that reflect today’s diverse workforce. From initial scoping workshops through to final wearer trials, your team’s voice is embedded in every design decision.

We understand that sustainable staff uniforms also mean supporting social sustainability. That’s why we make sure our maternity and menopause-inclusive garments are manufactured ethically, with supply chain transparency and fair working conditions prioritised.

How to Build an Inclusive and Sustainable Uniform Policy

Any organisation looking to improve their uniform strategy should begin by asking: who have we unintentionally excluded?

To move toward a truly inclusive model, we recommend taking the following steps:

1. Consult Your Workforce
   Engage with employees who are pregnant, postnatal, or experiencing menopause. Find out what challenges they face with current uniforms. What materials work? What doesn’t?
2. Rethink Sizing and Fit
   Offer maternity options that evolve with the wearer’s body. Provide style and fit choices that cater to varying needs across all gender identities and life stages. Empower your team to choose what works best for them.
3. Choose Sustainable Materials
   When selecting fabrics, prioritise breathable, recycled, and organic options. This approach makes your sustainable staff uniforms both environmentally and physiologically kind.
4. Offer Modularity and Flexibility
   Allow staff to layer, remove or adapt uniform items throughout the day. This helps with temperature regulation and offers freedom of movement.
5. Partner with the Right Supplier
   Work with a staff uniform company that has a proven track record in delivering inclusive workwear and understands the nuances of maternity and menopause design requirements.

JSD’s Approach to Inclusive Workwear

At Jermyn Street Design, we believe every uniform should serve a purpose beyond compliance or branding. It should enhance performance, reflect personal identity, and provide real comfort. That belief is at the heart of every project we deliver.

Our sustainable staff uniforms are built for durability and environmental responsibility, and they’re designed for people. That includes optional maternity fits for core styles, temperature-regulating fabrics for those experiencing menopause, and cut and size options that respect a range of body types and gender identities.

Whether you’re outfitting a customer-facing retail team or an operational workforce, our inclusive workwear strategies leave no one feeling like an afterthought.

The Business Case for Inclusive Uniforms

Providing inclusive uniform options for maternity and menopause is the ethical thing to do and it’s also good business. Supporting your team through every life stage builds loyalty, improves morale, and can even boost retention.

As a trusted staff uniform company, JSD has worked with some of the UK’s most recognisable brands to deliver sustainable staff uniforms that support diverse workforces. Our goal is to remove barriers, not add to them.

If your current uniform programme doesn’t include provisions for maternity or menopause, now is the time to rethink your approach. By investing in inclusive workwear, you’re showing your employees that you care, not just about how they look, but how they feel.