Virgin Atlantic updates uniform, ticketing policy to be more gender-inclusive [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Virgin Atlantic announced changes to its uniform policy and ticketing system in an effort to be more gender-inclusive.
• The British airline announced Wednesday that staff may wear the uniform that “best represents them.”
• Passengers can also choose a gender-neutral gender code while booking with Virgin Atlantic.

Virgin Atlantic has announced updates on its gender identity policies. Under the new policy, airline staff may wear the uniform that “best represents them” — no matter their gender, gender identity, or gender expression.

The change in uniform policy is one of the many steps the British airline will be introducing to its employees. In an effort to reflect “the diversity of the workforce” the airline calls the decision “a move that cements its position as the most inclusive airline in the skies,” according to a release.

The announcement on Wednesday was accompanied by a fashion-forward video that features LGBTQ performers and advocates Michelle Visage, Tanya Compas, Talulah-Eve and Tyreece Nye.

“As the mother of a non-binary child, and as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, these efforts by Virgin Atlantic to further inclusivity for its people are extremely important and personal to me,” Visage, a RuPaul’s Drag Race judge, said in the clip.

“People feel empowered when they are wearing what best represents them, and this gender identity policy allows people to embrace who they are and bring their full selves to work,” Visage added.

“If we are clean and we are pressed and we are looking the way we’re supposed to look then why aren’t we able to present as we identify?” Visage says later in the clip.

The policy update aims to champion the individuality of both Virgin Atlantic’s employees and customers. It also offers branded pronoun badges for anyone working for or traveling with the airline. Passengers may get the badges upon check-in.

The updated ticketing policy will also allow passengers with passports that have neutral gender markers to select “U” or “X” gender codes when they book with the airline.

A company-wide training across the airline, as well as tourism partners and hotels, will be mandatory for all employees that focus on inclusivity training and communication that makes LGBTQ customers feel welcome and cared for.

Virgin Atlantic launched their ‘Be Yourself’ agenda starting in 2019 when they stopped mandating makeup for cabin crew and gave all employees the option to wear trousers. More recently, they lifted restrictions about allowing visible tattoos for customer-facing roles.

The initiative also includes updates to its existing trans inclusion policies, which already allowed time off for medical treatments related to gender transition, personal choice of changing and shower facilities and co-creation of a personalized transitioning plan.

“At Virgin Atlantic, we believe that everyone can take on the world, no matter who they are,” Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Commercial Officer said in the release. “That’s why it’s so important that we enable our people to embrace their individuality and be their true selves at work. “

Source: HuffPost