Women in the UK logistics sector face a significant but often overlooked supply chain challenge: being suitably equipped to work safely and efficiently. New research highlights that 70% of women in operational roles report being forced to wear ill-fitting workwear.
Logistics UK warns the lack of PPE designed specifically for women is more than a workplace inconvenience. 58% of women surveyed feel uncomfortable in their workwear and 24% feel unsafe. Per Logistics UK, the number of women working as road transport drivers has risen 322% over the past four years, while female representation at director level across logistics, warehousing and transport is up 36%.
Tim Hyde, Head of Retail Operations at Logistics UK, said the issue has direct implications for supply chain operations. According to Hyde, women fulfil crucial roles in logistics and are critical to keeping the sector moving. "Too often, women's workwear is simply produced in smaller sizes of products originally designed for men — which can make it uncomfortable and harder to work in." Inadequate PPE leads workers to avoid using equipment that doesn't fit, increasing safety risks and the likelihood of disruption.
Hyde stresses that proper clothing is a matter of safety, not just comfort. With logistics in urgent need of new talent, the lack of appropriate workwear can discourage women from joining the sector. Solving the issue requires closer procurement-side cooperation between logistics operators and suppliers; access to size-appropriate workwear stands out as a structural requirement for supply chain resilience.
Key Takeaways:
1. 70% of women in UK logistics wear ill-fitting workwear.
2. 58% feel uncomfortable in their workwear and 24% feel unsafe.
3. Female road transport drivers up 322% in 4 years; female directors up 36%.
4. Tim Hyde: inadequate PPE raises safety risk and the chance of disruption.
5. Solution: stronger procurement-side cooperation between operators and suppliers.
