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Virgin Atlantic has introduced a new gender-neutral uniform policy, allowing pilots, cabin crew and ground staff to wear uniforms appropriate to their identities.Photo courtesy of Virgin Atlantic
September 28 (UPI) – Virgin Atlantic is changing its uniform policy, allowing the airline’s pilots, cabin crew and ground staff to wear whatever uniform suits their identity, red skirts or burgundy trousers.
Virgin Atlantic announced Wednesday Airline staff uniforms designed by British designers Vivienne Westwoodwill no longer be classified as “Male” or “Female”.
The UK-based airline also announced that employees and passengers can wear optional pronoun badges. Customers can claim their preferred badge at the check-in counter or at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.
Virgin Atlantic chief executive Juha Jarvinen said: “At Virgin Atlantic we believe that everyone can challenge the world, no matter who they are. That’s why it’s important for our people to embrace their individuality and be authentic at work. Why you are so important,” the business official said in a statement.
“It is for this reason that we want to have our employees wear the uniform that best suits them and how they can identify and make sure our customers are called by their preferred pronouns,” Jarvinen said.
Wednesday’s announcement is the latest in the airline’s “be yourself” campaign, as Virgin Atlantic strives to cement its status as the “most inclusive airline in the sky”.
In 2019, Virgin Atlantic announced it would allow cabin crew the option to wear no makeup, long pants or flats. In June, the airline lifted restrictions on allowing cabin crew show tattoo when on duty.
Virgin Atlantic said the change in uniform policy reflects the diversity of its workforce and will allow its LGBTQ+ colleagues to wear the uniform that best represents them “regardless of their gender, gender identity or gender expression”.
“The updated gender identity policy is very important to me. As a non-binary person, it allows me to be myself at work and to choose what uniform I wear,” Virgin Atlantic cabin crew member Jamie Jamie Forsstroem said.
The airline said its latest policy was based on a study that found allowing employees to express their authentic selves at work could increase happiness by 65 percent and improve mental health by 49 percent.
In addition to the airline’s new uniform changes, Virgin Atlantic also announced that it has updated its ticketing system to allow holders of passports with gender-neutral markings to select a “U” or “X” gender code, as well as their gender, when booking Neutral title “Mx”.
The airline said Virgin was planning mandatory company-wide inclusivity training to “ensure all customers feel at home despite barriers to LGBTQ+ equality”.
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