In a policy that has taken effect immediately, the British airline, Virgin Atlantic has updated its gender identity policy by getting rid of the requirements for their staff to wear uniforms associated with gender.
According to a press release by the airline, employees are now allowed to wear clothes that express how they identify themselves.
Historically, airline suits are classed as “male” or “female” based on traditional social ideas about how men and women should dress. With the new policy, the airline’s staff, pilots, and maintenance teams will no longer be required to wear gender specific uniforms.
The airline added that the decision was made to reflect the variety of its personnel and to improve its brand, by displaying its sensitivity and inclusiveness, following its recent moves to loosen limits on visible tattoos.
The airline will also begin providing passengers and employees with optional pronoun badges, which they may acquire at check-in, which will allow them to use their desired pronouns. Its ticketing systems will also permit travelers with gender-neutral passports from the United States, India, and Pakistan to use these gender designations and the title MX.
Staff have praised the improvements on social media, and the airline claims that the shift makes it “one of the most inclusive carriers in the sky.”
However, internet feedback on the new policies has been varied, with some praising the company’s inclusive stance and others saying it is a wasted effort. Some have criticized the company’s decision not to decrease ticket pricing or increase employee wages. One social media user speculated that most Virgin Atlantic employees would prefer a wage raise.
In June, Virgin Atlantic modified its uniform guidelines, removing the requirement for personnel to conceal tattoos while in uniform. This change occurred several years after the airline began permitting female cabin staff workers to choose how much make-up they wear and to wear slacks and flats.
“At Virgin Atlantic, we trust anyone can conquer the world, regardless of who they are,” said Juha Jarvinen, the airline’s CEO, in a statement. “Therefore, it is crucial that we encourage our staff to recognize their uniqueness and be themselves at work. Because of this, we want our employees to wear the uniform that best reflects who they are and how they identify, as well as ensuring that our clients are addressed using the preferred pronouns.”
To publicize the new policy, Virgin recruited Michelle Visage, one of the judges on the popular reality television show “Ru Paul’s Drag Race.” Visage said the effort was significant. “Individuals feel emboldened when dressing on what best reflects them, and this gender identification policy enables individuals to express who they are.”
The changes are not only good for the staff and passengers. They may be good for publicity and business.
