Posted on

Why Should your Business Have Gender Neutral Restroom Signs?

In March of 2017, a California law was passed that required all single-user restrooms in any business to label their restrooms with all-gender signage. Many other states, including Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington, just to name a few, have banned discrimination in public accommodations based on gender identity. Numerous cities across the country have also passed legislation allowing any person to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

As business owners, respecting and servicing our customers should always be a top priority. There are plenty of reasons why your business should have gender neutral restroom signage, even if it’s not located in any of the above mentioned cities or states, so today we’re here to share some insight and give you just a few of those reasons.

You’re Showing Respect for your Customers

Just like any other controversy, the battle over the bathroom was started for a reason. Most people would agree that using the restroom is not a privilege but instead a human right. Before this issue was brought to the surface, students all across the country were bullied and ridiculed when they would use the restroom of their choose – in fact, many still are, to the point that they would rather deal with health issues instead of using the bathroom.

By placing gender neutral signage outside of your single-user restrooms, you’re showing your customers that you care. You respect their choice in how they identify and grant them their right to use whichever bathroom they please. This respect will go a long way and could even be one of the reasons customers choose to support your business.

You’re Decreasing Restroom Wait Times

By allowing your patrons to use whatever restroom is available, you’re cutting back on wait times and eliminating lines forming in your business. If your business is a high-traffic area, this could especially be beneficial.

Restroom lines take up space within your restaurant, retail store, etc. and can even become a hazard. Many customers will admit they use whichever single-user bathroom is open, even if it’s clearly labeled for a different gender. Eliminate conflict and make your business a safer place with gender-neutral bathroom signs.

You’re Setting an Example

If you live in a city or state where all gender restroom signs are not required or still highly debatable, you can set an example for your fellow business owners by labeling your bathrooms with all-gender signage. Such a small decision on your end could mean the world of a difference to your customers, and can inspire change within your small town or city.  By doing your part to promote a more equal and open-minded world, you could inspire the rest of the world to follow.

Changing the signage for your single-user restrooms is simple enough, but be mindful of your state laws before transforming larger, multi-use facilities to all-gender restrooms, like the University of Maryland did on their campus. Each city and state will have different legislation in place for gender neutral restrooms, so we encourage you to look into the laws in place in your town before deciding how you can make an impact.  Find all-gender restroom signage here on Custom Signs.

Posted on

How to Keep your Neighborhood Safe with Signs

Have you ever been sitting on your front porch, enjoying your morning cup of coffee, and you see a car speeding down your street? It may not seem like a big deal to the driver, but if a child or pet was present, the results could have been devastating.

We all hope that people will be cautious as they pass through our neighborhoods, but the truth is that’s not always the case. This means keeping your neighborhood safe is part of your responsibility as a homeowner, but it’s a duty most people take on without hesitation because they want to feel their family is safe at home. Unfortunately, dangerous drivers aren’t the only hazards we have to be careful of, so today we’re sharing with you a few ways you can keep your neighborhood safe and avoid accidents with signs.

Keep your Children Safe

If your neighborhood is full of playful children, like many are, a Caution: Child at Play sign is a great addition to your streets. With their bright yellow color and bold, black font and illustrations, they resemble a warning sign and are sure to catch any drivers attention. Whether they’re a neighbor, frequent visitor, or have never been to your neighborhood, this sign will make drivers think twice before speeding.

Post Pool Rules

Community swimming pools are a huge selling point for new home buyers! They’re the perfect way to cool off on those hot summer days, and you don’t have to worry about the cost of maintenance. But when the pool decks get crowded and the children get excited, pools can also be hazardous.

Every community pool should have its pool rules posted so you can keep everyone safe and hold visitors accountable. If you have a pool in your own backyard that your children’s friends love to visit, it’s also a great idea to post your own pool rules sign so everyone has fun and stays safe.

Remind others to Share the Road

Reminding other drivers to be mindful of bicyclists is also an important way to protect both your neighbors and strangers out on the streets! A share the road bumper sticker is a friendly yet necessary reminder for other drivers on the roads. Bikers are the most vulnerable drivers on the road because their only form of protection is their helmet, and you never know when a simple bumper sticker and the awareness it will inspire could save a bicyclists life.

Posted: No Trespassing

Save your family and fellow neighbors the stress of unwanted visitors by posting no trespassing signs in your yard or around your neighborhood. If you live on a property without gates or on a large piece of land, it may be hard for others to distinguish where your property line begins and ends. Make it clear and avoid any confusion with a property sign. If you’re ever in a situation where law enforcement has to be called, trespassers won’t be able to say they weren’t warned.

Think of your Animals, Too

Your human children may not be the only ones whose safety you’re worried about. If you’re in a neighborhood full of fur babies, this Drive Slowly We Love Our Pets sign may be the perfect additions to your streets. Even with a fenced in area, sometimes animals figure out a way to roam freely. Remind your neighbors and their visitors to drive with caution in case your furry friend gets a case of wanderlust!

There are lots of steps you can take to make your neighborhood a safer place for both your family and others. Safety signs are just one option, but you could also develop a neighborhood watch program and get to know all of your neighbors. There’s safety in numbers, so make friends with those in your neighborhood and remember to always look out for one another!

Posted on

Ways to Show your Employee Appreciation this Holiday Season

With the holidays quickly approaching, you may be wondering what you can do to express your gratitude for your employees. The end of the year is typically a busy time for a variety of different reasons, which means your dedicated employees will be working even harder than normal. Be sure not to let it go unnoticed by showing them just how much you appreciate them!  Here are just a few fun ways you can show your employee appreciation this holiday season.

 

  • The Gift of Motivation

We all love a little motivation when pushing ourselves to be the best we can be. So this holiday season, give your employees the gift of encouragement with a motivational sign! Add a touch of positivity to their work space with a colorful, inspiration quote to hang on their wall or sit on their desk.

 

  • Make them Laugh

So maybe they’re so much more than the “World’s Okayest Employee”, but opening this desk plate would still give them a good laugh. Boost morale in your office with funny desk plates! When work gets stressful, they will always have something on their desk to make them smile.

  • Throw them a Party

It could be as small as a pizza lunch on a Friday, or as large as renting out a local restaurant on a Saturday night. Show your employees they’re appreciated by organizing they can all relax, socialize, and forget about work for awhile. Not only will they feel your gratitude, it will be a great bonding experience and good for your work environment. No matter how big or small you choose to go, be sure to get a custom banner made with a simple phrase like “You’re Appreciated!”, or something unique to your company, on it.

Let your employees know they’re appreciated this holiday season with a simple gift or holiday bash. Motivate them to work their hardest through the busiest time of the year and show them they’re a valuable part of your team!

Posted on

The Good, the Better & the Best Signs for your Business

If you’re a business owner of any degree, whether it’s a privately-owned small business or a large corporation, one thing is true: signs are everywhere within your building. Signs help your customers find your business and they also keep your employees safe. They can motivate your team to reach their sales goal or introduce your customers to your products. Signs are a crucial aspect to any business and there’s an endless number of ways to utilize them. Here at Custom Signs, we like to think of ourselves as the sign experts, so today we’re sharing with you the good, the better, and the very best sign options for your business.

The Good Signs

When a customer or a new employee enters your building, there are many things you may want them to know or be aware of without verbally informing them every step of the way. For example, if you own a restaurant and there are a few steps leading into the dining area, you will want to inform your patrons to watch their step to avoid accidents. We consider printed text on a piece of paper and taped to a wall a “good” sign. The sign is present and it’s probably doing its job keeping your customers and employees safe, however, it may reflect poorly on your business. The quality of your signs is a representation of your establishment. If it looks like you put minimal effort into your sign, it’ll appear as if you’re putting minimal effort into the other aspects of your business.

The Better Signs

Custom banners are a great way to take your interior and exterior signage up a notch. The possibilities are endless when creating your vinyl sign since they can be full-color and completely customized. Feature your business’ logo, introduce your products to customers, or motivate your employees! Vinyl signs are available in poster, mounted to corrugated plastic, PVC or aluminum and can also be laminated for a longer-lasting image. A vinyl sign is the better option for a professional yet cost-effective way to share your message.

The Best Signs

In the same way a sign represents the quality of your business, a sign can also show your employee how much you value them. An engraved sign featuring your employee’s name and title tells them you see them as a permanent member of your team and appreciate their position. It also helps build relationships within your business as other employees passing by will know who this team member is and what they do. Whether you use your engraved sign to identify a team member or warn and inform your customers, we consider this sign to be the best sign to represent the highest level of professionalism.

When opening or revamping the look of your business, signs are a huge element to take into consideration. What do you want your customers to know about your company? How do you want to encourage your employees to have their best day, every day? All of this can be accomplished with your signs. Choose the type of sign that is relevant to the importance of your message and how you would like your business to be represented.