With regard to the badges themselves, our badges used to contain the company logo etc on them, in addition to the person's name and photo. Now they just contain the photo and name, making it harder to identify where it can be used should it be lost in a public place.

We wear them on a lanyard, and generally the advice is to wear them around our neck at all times but many people, myself included, find it an annoyance and tend to either tuck it into a shirt pocket, or just wrap it up and stick it in our pocket, this is typically not enforced, though every once in a while a memo might go round reminding everyone to display it. They're a bit like dress standards in that way, if those at the top don't make a concerted effort to enforce everyone wearing a tie, or regulation shoes, or their badge at all times, then standards are going to slip over time.

Regards access, the badge is necessary to get into the building itself, and then from there, to get into anywhere other than the main lobby. If we lose the badge, it's £5 to replace it. If we forget it one day then there are a number of interim badges for new starters/guests/forgetful people so they don't have to knock on the door etc, though I can tell you from sitting next to said door that it's still a daily occurrence, the shame of having an interim badge must be too much for some I guess.

Cheers

Paul