Galls Maternity Uniform Program Fills a Long Neglected Niche

Imagine being forced to do your job without its most identifiable component -- a uniform.

For women in male-dominated professions like law enforcement, fire service and EMS, this has typically been the case, particularly when they become pregnant.

Unlike their female counterparts in the hotel or hospitality industries, women police officers or firefighters have not been expected to stay on the job during their pregnancy, primarily due to grueling assignments and the overall dangerous nature of work.

But women are staying on the job, and they continue to flock to these so-called male positions in increasing numbers. They have been doing so ever since President Nixon signed executive order 11478 on August 8, 1969, a decree which effectively ended discrimination in the federal service based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or handicap. The ban on employing women in the title of special agent no longer existed, and thus opened up to women positions in the GS-1811 status, and other grade series from which they had previously been barred. Those positions held authority to carry firearms, execute search warrants, and make arrests.

The first women were hired in 1971 and 1972 by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.

State and local agencies quickly followed suit. Today, according to the International Association of Women Police, there are three million women police officers on duty. Even within the fire service, considered by many to be the last true male bastion, women have made great advances. With women accounting for about 8 percent of the 880 uniformed firefighters assigned to its station houses, compared with the national average of 2.5 percent, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, which has a female assistant chief, is considered one of the best departments for women to work, according to Women in the Fire Service, an advocacy group based in Madison, Wisconsin. Next in line is Minneapolis, which had its first female fire chief sworn in a year ago, where 17 percent of its 380 uniformed firefighters are women.

On the other end of the spectrum, in the New York City Fire Department, the nation's largest, only 36 of the 11,430 uniformed firefighters are female, according to the department's latest figures.

Even with a greater number of women entering these positions though, their uniform needs have often lagged behind. Women typically complain of fit problems, noting that sizing options for uniforms are focused on men‘s specifications.

And if you become pregnant, these same women say, you are simply out of luck, for maternity uniforms in the public safety field are nonexistent. That is, until now.

In January, Galls, an Aramark distributor based in Kentucky, rolled out a maternity uniform for public safety professionals, a first for the industry. The company has obtained a two-year manufacturer exclusive with the Perfection brand label to produce this novel line. “Perfection approached us with the concept, and we jumped on it,” said Benny Belcher, senior merchandise director. “I do a competitive shop at least once a year, and I haven’t seen any maternity uniforms on any web site or in any other catalog.”

Why not? One of the main complaints from pregnant female sworn officers is that when they notify their department that they are pregnant, they are removed from their position. At times there are no efforts to find light duty positions for pregnant women. Light duty is critical in a policy for pregnant employees, according to the International Association of Women Police. Without the option of a light duty assignment, many women may have to take unpaid leave, creating financial and emotional hardships. Altruism aside, providing light duty assignments makes good legal sense. If the department provides light duty assignments for other employees who have non-service related temporary disabilities, then they are required by law to provide the same assignments for pregnant employees. However, a pregnant officer should not be forced into a light duty assignment against her will if she is physical able to safely perform her current assignment

Even so, officials have assumed that officers assigned to light duty, which often involves desk work, would not be in need of a uniform. Galls is hoping to change that perception, not only in police departments across the country, but in other public safety arenas as well. Six months in development, the new maternity uniforms are designed for the female public safety officer; but the maternity trouser and shirts can also accommodate expectant officers in the EMS, fire and security fields as well, according to Belcher.

The initial uniform offering consists of a navy maternity pant and a choice of either a navy or white maternity shirt. “Navy is the most frequently used color in public safety, so we thought this would be a good first step,” adds Belcher. “Time will tell if and when other color options will become available.” The maternity shirts are 7oz. and 100 percent poplin polyester with sewn-in permanent military creases and collar stays in order to maintain a crisp look. The pull-on maternity trousers are 11 oz and 100 percent gabardine polyester and have a one-inch elastic waistband.

And while women everywhere may bemoan the selection of polyester, Belcher notes the positive qualities of this fabric in the 21 st century. “This is not your father’s polyester,” says Belcher. “This fabric has a wicking property and a certain amount of stretch which makes it pretty comfortable.”

The garments, too, are cost effective. “The pants have a maternity panel that feature a stretch microfiber construction,” adds Belcher. “It will accommodate the officer throughout her pregnancy, meaning that she‘ll only have to purchase one uniform.”

As with all of its products, Galls will hem the trouser to length and can tailor a long-sleeve shirt to short sleeves (for those summer babies) and will complete all custom embroidery, emblems and embellishments. In addition, Galls will customize the maternity trousers with different striping or braid.

Marketing efforts to this point have been limited. The product is featured in the two different Galls catalogues -- the general book issued to nearly 950,000 individuals and the big reference book issued to more than 155,000 agencies and departments.

Still, interest has been generally positive. Galls has sold 50 units since January. “This is clearly a niche, not a large market,” notes Belcher. Beyond that, Galls hopes to strike an emotional chord with customers. “Galls offers more products and selection for women than any other public safety company,” notes Belcher. “This is to ensure that Galls remains the full-service provider to all who wear a uniform in the line of duty.”

In a statement on its website, the International Association of Women Police also notes the value of providing maternity garments: “Providing pregnant employees who wear a uniform on a day-to-day basis with maternity uniforms is critical to making pregnant women feel valued by their department. The lack of a proper uniform should not be a factor in a pregnant women's decision to leave her job. Providing uniforms for pregnant employees sends a strong message to those inside and outside the department that women law enforcement officers can be both mothers and criminal justice professionals.”

Maternity uniforms, too, may do more than just add to the bottom line of Galls’ parent company, Aramark, who critics have labeled the Wal-Mart of the uniform industry. “This puts a human touch on us, while providing a much-needed, and often overlooked, product,” says Belcher.