Appearances aren’t everything, but a polished look can help burnish the image of both you and the Postal Service.
Rosemary Onody, South Creek Station manager in Orlando, FL, is a case in point. Onody knew she wanted to be in management when she started as a letter carrier 26 years ago and made sure to project a shipshape image.
“I used to take a lot of pride when I wore my uniform, which was always nicely pressed, pleated and clean because we are representing the Postal Service as a whole,” she said.
Now that she’s reached her goal, keeping up appearances is just as important, in her view.
“When I walk through those doors, employees acknowledge me. I’m the manager of the office. I must set the tone and expectations for everyone to follow. Being dressed professionally goes a long way.”
According to Salary.com, 55 percent of workplaces have a dress code of some sort. This includes the Postal Service, whose standards are outlined in the Employee and Labor Relations Manual.
USPS also offers Postal Uniform Guidelines, a pictorial guidebook that managers and supervisors can use to help ensure employees always wear their uniforms properly.
“When a customer sees you, they should be able to identify you as the person they need to talk to. You look the part; you dress the part,” said Keith Perry, customer services manager at Orlando’s Sand Lake Station.
“You always want to distinguish yourself, and dressing the part makes you easily recognizable to customers,” said Perry, a retired Marine who has been with USPS for 22 years.
“You only have one time to make a first impression.”
