Environment Protection Agency staff should wear uniform

Dear Editor,

Staff at the Environmental Protection Agency should dress in a more professional manner and be conscious of their work apparel. Compared to staff of other agencies within the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, such as the Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission who have uniform attire, there is no need to second guess their representation.

In addition, as a regulating Agency, it is important for personnel from the EPA to be easily recognizable with proper identification. This is especially necessary when inspection and verification visits are done. Also, as it relates to customer service, when stakeholders visit the Agency, there is no question determining who is an employee that can provide assistance and who is a fellow client/stakeholder.

There are other benefits for the Agency too, if their employees are dressed in uniform. For example, companies that do not have uniforms often deal with ongoing dress code issues. With a uniform, it is easy to distinguish whether employees meet the standard. Plus, work uniforms generally create a better sense of neatness in workplace dress.

Employees usually connect their performance with their employers. Even when they are not at work, employees who wear uniforms out in public are more likely to be cognizant of their behaviour while representing their companies.

It would create a much better impression if employees of this Agency can dress in  more dignified and professional apparel which is sometimes not the case when visiting the EPA.

Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)