Compass Group UK & Ireland has created its own maternity jacket; a specially-designed, industry-first uniform that provides proper support, fit and function for female colleagues throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Led by Compass Group’s Women in Food community and tried and tested by pregnant Compass chefs, the team worked with respected fashion designer Lynda Yong for over a year to perfect the design, health and safety specifications, comfort, fit and practicalities.
The jacket has been made in a ‘unique’ lightweight material that helps dissipate heat and promotes airflow, maintaining the wearer’s body temperature at 37.5°C. This makes the jacket suitable not only for pregnant colleagues but for those returning to work postpartum and anyone working through perimenopause and menopause.
Gemma Evans-Hurley, head of culinary, dine contract catering and chair of Women in Food, commented: “At Compass, when we’re presented with a problem, we don’t rest until we find a solution. We identified that, across our industry, the maternity uniforms available for pregnant and postpartum colleagues were not enabling them to bring their best selves to work every day.
“For years, pregnant women have simply sized-up their uniform, which isn’t comfortable or flattering, with restricted movement making everyday tasks more challenging. Our Compass-designed solution is a gamechanger.”
The jacket is currently in production and will be available to Compass’ UK&I workforce next month, for anyone who wishes to wear one.
Chef Laura Brand who worked at Eurest trialled the jacket during her pregnancy and postpartum. She added: “Women in Food approached me during my pregnancy and asked me to be involved in this exciting project from the very start, providing feedback throughout the design process and testing early designs in the kitchen to ensure the functionality was just right. For me, this is about more than just a jacket; it’s about feeling good, looking good, and being your best at work.”
