July 31st 2024.
A former Jet2 cabin crew member, Marion McKay, recently lost a compensation bid amounting to £22,000 after quitting her job due to a disagreement over her hairstyle. The 52-year-old had worked with the budget airline for 14 months before leaving her job last year, citing emotional distress and loss of earnings as her reasons for quitting. However, the employment tribunal ruled that she was not discriminated against by the airline.
According to Marion, she had successfully passed two 'Red Hot' assessments where cabin crew members are judged on their makeup, hair, and clothes, with no issues raised. But things took a turn when a member of the cabin crew management approached her and informed her that her current hairstyle did not meet the company's standards. She was then told that she would not be allowed to fly if she did not change her hair.
Deputy cabin crew manager Stuart Mckenzie explained that they had initially planned to address the issue during Red Hot Week, but it was too busy. He further stated that Marion's hair was not in line with the company's guidelines as it was an 'extreme' style. They had even discussed the possibility of her growing out her hair at the sides. However, Marion was signed off sick with work-related stress on July 14, 2023, and a week later, she resigned via email, with her employment ending on August 13, 2023.
Jet2's cabin services regional manager, Kelly Bolton, also weighed in on the matter, stating that Marion's hair was more extreme compared to her male colleagues. She explained that if a male employee had a similar hairstyle, they would have approached him to let him know that it does not align with the company's guidelines. But Marion's lawyer, Amanda Buchanan, argued that her client was treated more strictly because she was a woman.
A written ruling by employment judge Michelle Sutherland revealed that the claimant had resigned because she was asked to change her hair, but it was not discriminatory. Therefore, the complaints of discrimination were dismissed. In response, Marion, who hails from Edinburgh, expressed her disappointment and stated that she will now have to move on from the situation.
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