Virgin Atlantic uniforms become inclusive: staff will choose them
After relaxing its rules on tattoos, Virgin Atlantic has decided to support its employees' desire for diversity. [...]
Virgin Atlantic
After loosening the rules on tattoos, Virgin Atlantic decided to support the desire of diversity Of its employees. And it has taken a stand on the issue of inclusion. Indeed, the British company's workforce will be able to freely decide what uniform model to wear, regardless of the sex.
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The red suit designed by Vivienne Westwood, previously intended only for female staff, can now also be worn by a steward or pilot. Conversely, a stewardess, if she feels comfortable with burgundy pants and jacket, will be able to wear them. Because, Virgin Atlantic uniforms, are now by all* and for all*.
The novelty of Virgin Atlantic uniforms
This was announced by the airline itself, among the first in the world to adopt a gender identity policy. An increasingly inclusive policy, therefore, for carrier owner Richard Branson's fleets, which are not limited only to the freedom to wear their preferred uniform.
In fact, Virgin Atlantic allows its staff to use badges with personal gender titles, while passengers can indicate on the ticket their preferred pronoun rather than the neuter gender. Ticketing systems will also undergo the pro-inclusivity upgrade and can recognize passports marked with the neuter gender Mx (available to date only in the U.S., Pakistan, and India).
These are the words of Juha Järvinen, Chief Commercial Officer of Virgin Atlantic: "It is really important to allow our employees to embrace their individuality and be themselves at work. That is why we want to enable our staff to wear the uniform that suits them best, as well as make sure that our customers are called by their favorite pronouns".
Not just uniforms
The willingness on Virgin Atlantic's part to promote gender identity policy does not stop there. The company will also initiate a Mandatory training on inclusiveness, organizing initiatives in hotels located in destinations that are not likely to understand this issue, e.g., the Caribbean.
Also involved in the initiative was Michelle Visage, American radio DJ and TV host, as well as a judge on the reality show Ru Paul's Drag Race. Visage herself said that the initiative involves her a lot on a personal level, expressing herself as follows: "People feel empowered when they wear what best represents them, and this gender identity policy allows people to embrace what they are".
To be fair, the British airline is not the only one to have moved toward greater inclusiveness. It was a few weeks ago that the Australian airline announced. WestJet on the new line of uniforms from which employees will be free to choose. The same applies to Alaska Airlines, which just last April announced that it had developed, together with designer Luly Yang, a gender-neutral uniform.
Completely in favor of the free look, however, Air Baltic. That, distorting the old concept of decorum, allows its staff to have tattoos and piercings.
Hostesses, stewards and pilots will therefore be able to freely express their personalities through what most represents them: not only with piercings and tattoos, but also distinctive hair styles and jewelry of all kinds.
