Scandinavian Airways (SAS) has turn into the most recent airline to replace its worker look requirements. Whereas I’m certain some folks gained’t be a fan of this variation, personally I’m all for letting folks be snug and specific themselves.
SAS updates worker look requirements
As of July 1, 2024, SAS has up to date its worker look requirements, with the brand new insurance policies making use of to all frontline workers, together with flight attendants. Probably the most vital adjustments are that workers can now proudly show their tattoos and put on sneakers whereas in uniform.
The airline describes this variation as a part of a dedication to a contemporary, inclusive, and welcoming setting. The corporate shares the beneath photos of some flight attendants benefiting from the up to date insurance policies. Now, I’d assume that there are some limitations, and that sneakers must be an applicable coloration, and that tattoos can’t be offensive.
That is an space the place we’ve seen a number of airways liberalize their insurance policies lately. Air New Zealand was one of many first world airways to begin permitting seen tattoos, which the airline justified by wanting to permit workers “to specific individuality or cultural heritage.”
Since then, we’ve seen a number of different airways observe Air New Zealand’s lead. In Europe, Virgin Atlantic made some sweeping adjustments in 2022, not simply concerning tattoos and makeups, but additionally concerning the power to specific gender id.
There are additionally loads of airways that permit sneakers these days, together with full service airways in Europe. For instance, KLM equally up to date its insurance policies a number of weeks in the past.
I’m in favor of individuals expressing themselves
I commend SAS for making these updates, and giving workers the power to specific themselves.
Whereas I don’t personally have any tattoos (and haven’t any attention-grabbing in getting any), I’ve no points with individuals who do. I don’t suppose anybody needs to be prevented from getting a job, or ought to must cowl up, due to their tattoos (assuming they’re not offensive). On the finish of the day, individuals are happier if they will specific themselves, and that is an extension of that.
In relation to sneakers, I’m additionally a fan of that change. Airline workers spend quite a lot of time on their ft, whether or not they’re flight attendants or floor brokers, and they need to be capable of spend their time feeling snug.
I feel it’s additionally necessary to acknowledge that these insurance policies largely replicate the cultures of the house international locations that airways function out of. For instance, I don’t anticipate Japan Airways or Qatar Airways or Singapore Airways will begin permitting flight attendants to have tattoos anytime quickly, since that’s both frowned down upon in these societies, or the function of a flight attendant remains to be very a lot to “look the half.”
That’s not the case at most western airways. If you happen to go to Northern Europe, you’ll see quite a lot of tattoos, and flight attendants aren’t there to supply Singapore Airways ranges of service. So it’s honest sufficient that look requirements additionally replicate that side of the tradition.
Backside line
Scandinavian Airways is the most recent airline to replace its look requirements for workers, together with permitting seen tattoos, and likewise allowing sneakers to be worn. The airline is hardly the primary to make such a coverage change. I feel this can be a completely honest improvement, particularly when you think about the tradition in Northern Europe.
What do you make of those coverage adjustments at SAS?
