<mediadc-video-embed data-state="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"00000161-3486-d333-a9e9-76c6fbf30000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b93390000"},"cms.content.publishDate":1654798119080,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"0000017a-8cb2-d416-ad7a-beb7278f0000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"cms.content.updateDate":1654798119080,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"0000017a-8cb2-d416-ad7a-beb7278f0000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"rawHtml":"
var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_54619363", "obj": {"id":"27789","width":"16","height":"9","video":"1027703"} }); ","_id":"00000181-49a7-d1f1-a1c3-7be76b980000","_type":"2f5a8339-a89a-3738-9cd2-3ddf0c8da574"}”>Video EmbedAs workers across the world have become acclimated to the contents of Zoom and working from home, so have their wardrobes. Even companies that are now in person have become lax on dress codes that once were heavily enforced.
Now, airlines have been slowly lifting restrictions on what flight attendants wear, and one can simply observe that since the pandemic, the professionalism of the dress code is slowly fading.
Virgin Atlantic Airways lifted the ban on employees showing tattoos while working, and other airlines such as Alaska Airlines and United Airlines passed similar measures.
When asked why the company is enacting this change, Chief People Officer Estelle Hollingsworth said, “At Virgin Atlantic, we want everyone to be themselves and know that they belong.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that in March, Alaska Airlines started to allow all genders to wear nail polish, makeup, two earrings per ear, and a single nose stud.
This rule change came after Alaska Airlines received a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union saying that it violated Washington state law against discrimination because Alaska Airlines’s flight attendant regulations required the appearance of either “male” or “female.”
Other airlines such as Iceland’s Play and Italy’s ITA Airways have become more lenient with their dress codes, allowing flight attendants to wear sweaters and pants. South Korea’s Aero K Airlines introduced sneakers and T-shirts into its dress code in 2020, saying the guidelines “were created with consideration and respect to better perform various duties regardless of age and gender.”
Though steps should be taken to avoid discrimination, allowing the professional nature of flight attendants’ dress codes to be loosened is not a part of that solution. Instead, this environment creates those decades-old rules to be forgotten — sweaters are the new suit jacket.
Since the pandemic, it has been difficult for airlines to bring staff numbers back up and perform the necessary background checks and training programs to form a successful team. Flight attendants, among other things, should complete certain emergency procedures to ensure the cabin and crew are safe.
“Relaxing dress codes broadens the pool of candidates and can make work more engaging for current employees in an industry struggling to hang on to workers,” said Bryan Terry, global aviation leader at Deloitte.
Dressing professionally has not hindered flight attendants thus far to perform their necessary duties.
“I know firsthand what it feels like not to be seen, heard or able to bring your authentic self to work,” James Thomas, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Alaska Airlines, wrote in a blog.
With airlines increasing gender inclusion, the effects of appearing classy and professional should not be lessened. There should be freedom to express oneself, but workers should be representing the airlines first and foremost.
Professionalism can be a myriad of things and includes the ways people conduct themselves, yet the first thing noticed about people is appearance.
Dressing for success leads to a successful workday. If people take themselves seriously, they take their job seriously. Wearing a T-shirt and sneakers doesn’t encourage that.
Esther Wickham is a summer 2022 Washington Examiner fellow.
