Asking for Employee Sizes Is Awkward But It Doesn’t Have to Be
Swag is supposed to spark excitement, not anxiety. But there’s one surprisingly uncomfortable step that companies everywhere run into: asking employees for their shirt sizes.
On the surface, it sounds simple. You want to order team T-shirts, hoodies, or jackets. You need to know who wears what size. Easy, right? Not so much. That one innocent question can turn into a surprisingly awkward situation that nobody enjoys.
The good news? There’s a better way. Instead of spreadsheets, follow-up emails, and uncomfortable conversations, modern companies are turning to on-demand merch stores to make the process seamless. Let’s dive into why asking for employee sizes is awkward—and how to fix it once and for all.
Why Asking for Employee Sizes Feels So Awkward
It’s a Little Too Personal
Size is one of those details people don’t always want to share at work. Being asked to disclose it—especially by a manager or HR—can feel invasive.
Fear of Judgment
Even if no one means harm, people often wonder:
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“Who’s going to see this?”
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“Will others make assumptions about me?”
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“Do I really want this documented somewhere?”
That little seed of worry is enough to turn a fun swag moment into something stressful.
Guesswork Never Works
Trying to “ballpark” sizes or bulk order mediums and larges is a recipe for disappointment. Some employees end up with shirts that feel like tents, while others get ones they can barely pull over their heads.
Logistical Chaos
Collecting sizes usually means messy spreadsheets, countless reminders, and inevitable mistakes. By the time everything’s sorted, the excitement has fizzled out.
The Hidden Downsides of Size Requests
It’s not just a small hiccup—it can affect your culture in ways you may not even realize:
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Swag loses its magic. Instead of being a fun surprise, it becomes another task.
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Exclusion creeps in. If sizes aren’t inclusive, employees feel overlooked.
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Budgets get wasted. Extra merch piles up in storage because it doesn’t fit anyone.
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Morale takes a hit. What should feel like a gift ends up reminding employees of discomfort.
Swag is meant to connect teams, not create barriers.
Enter the Hero On-Demand Merch Stores
This is where Merchloop changes the game. Instead of awkwardly asking for sizes, you launch an on-demand company store and let employees handle it themselves.
Here’s How It Works
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Your branded store goes live. Stock it with gear employees will actually be excited to wear.
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Employees log in. No spreadsheets, no awkward requests.
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They choose their size and style. Everything stays private and personal.
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Merchloop handles the rest. Printing, packing, and shipping—done.
Everyone ends up with something they love, and you skip the awkward back-and-forth entirely.
Why This Approach Works So Well
Privacy Stays Intact
Employees select their sizes on their own. Managers never have to ask, and coworkers never see the info.
It Feels Empowering
Instead of being handed a one-size-fits-all T-shirt, employees pick something that fits their personality—and their body.
Smarter Spending
Every item is made on demand, which means you’re not stuck with leftover boxes of swag no one wants.
Flexible for Any Team
New hires, remote employees, or global staff can all order their gear directly—no extra work for HR.
Truly Inclusive
On-demand stores carry a wide range of sizes, so no one gets left out. Everyone has options that work for them.
Real-Life Moments Where It Shines
Welcoming New Hires
Instead of emailing new employees about their size before they’ve even started, send them a store link. They get to pick their swag as part of onboarding, and it instantly feels like a perk.
Celebrating Milestones
Work anniversaries, birthdays, or promotions? Let employees choose their gift from the store—it feels personal without being invasive.
Building Remote Culture
Distributed teams need touchpoints that bring them together. Matching gear helps, and an on-demand store ensures everyone gets something that fits.
The Ripple Effect on Culture
When you stop asking for sizes directly, employees feel:
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Respected—their privacy is protected.
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Valued—their preferences matter.
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Excited—because swag goes back to being fun.
It’s a small shift with a big cultural payoff.
Why Merchloop Stands Out
Plenty of companies offer swag, but Merchloop takes it further:
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On-Demand Everything – No bulk ordering, no warehouses full of leftovers.
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Vertically Integrated – Merchloop designs, decorates, and fulfills in-house, cutting costs and saving time.
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Top-Tier Brands – From Nike to The North Face to TravisMathew, employees get to choose items they’ll actually wear.
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Scalable Solutions – Whether you’ve got a startup team or a global workforce, it works seamlessly.
It’s not just a merch solution—it’s a smarter, more respectful way to engage your team.
Wrapping It Up
Asking for employee sizes is awkward. It slows down the process, wastes money, and can make employees feel uncomfortable. But with the right solution, you can skip the awkwardness altogether.
On-demand merch stores powered by Merchloop put the fun back into swag. Employees get to pick what they want, in the size that fits, and you get all the cultural benefits without the logistical headaches.
So let’s retire the spreadsheets and uncomfortable size requests. Swag should be simple, inclusive, and exciting—and now, it finally can be.
