This was published 2 years ago
Qantas flight attendant uniforms: Australian Services Union pushes to remove gender-based uniform requirements
The Australian Services Union has asked Qantas to ditch its gender-specific uniform rules that require female flight attendants to wear make-up, stockings and heels.Credit: Getty Images
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce is being urged to amend the company's uniform policies, with a push to ditch rules that require female staff to wear makeup, high heels and hosiery.
The Australian Services Union posted a letter on Facebook addressed to Mr Joyce, asking the CEO to take the lead on the issue by making "sensible and low-cost changes for a more inclusive workplace".
"Qantas promotes itself as a leader on matters important to women dn LGBTQI+ Australians," wrote ASU assistant national secretary Emeline Gaske.
Male flight attendants for Qantas can dress differently, including wearing larger watches.Credit: Edwina Pickles
"Qantas is a major partner of Sydney Mardi Gras, and you personally have a role as a 'champion of change'.
"We think it's time the uniform requirements Qantas has of its employees reflect these commitments," she wrote, noting the timeliness of the issue in the lead-up to the Sydney Mardi Gras and International Women's Day.
Among the proposed changes is a request to remove gender-based uniform requirements, overturn a beard ban, and to allow Qantas badges to display preferred pronouns.
"Remove the requirement for women to wear makeup," Ms Gaske wrote, adding that employees should only have to wear makeup "if they wish".
"Allow women to wear low heel shoes, including loafers, with all uniform items, not just trousers," she wrote.
Further to this, Mr Joyce has been asked to "consider whether heels and hosiery are still necessary at all".
The ASU has also requested female employees be allowed to don larger watch faces, with Ms Gaske writing: "we think women can handle the same size watch face as men if we choose".
The post has been met with surprise from some online users, with comments ranging from "It's so backwards" to "Talking about being sexist!"
"Heels (and, for me, makeup) are horrible, and I would absolutely hate to HAVE to wear them to keep my job. So outdated," one user wrote in response.
A Qantas spokesperson said the ASU has been notified that the uniform guide is currently under review, with a view to update it in the coming months.
"We regularly review our uniform guide and have previously made amendments based on feedback from our people," the spokesperson said.
"Qantas is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in all parts of our business."
Airlines are increasingly bringing their uniforms and grooming policies in line with modern, more inclusive standards, with carriers including British Airways, United Airlines and SkyUp all moving to phase out gender-specific rules.
US-based United Airlines have also pulled away from gender normative uniforms, updating their policy to allow for visible tattoos, as well as the ability to wear makeup, nail polish and wear their hair down regardless of gender.
Ukraine's SkyUp debuted a radical (at least by airline standards) new uniform last October, ditching mandatory heels and pencil skirts for comfy white Nike sneakers and a loose-fitting, two-piece orange suit. The uniform update followed feedback from SkyUp flight attendants.
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