Dutch flag carrier KLM has become the latest major international airline to reconsider its decades-old uniform and grooming regulations in a bid to drive diversity and let employees be their ‘true selves’ at work.
Amongst the ideas being considered by the Amsterdam-based airline is allowing cabin crew and other frontline uniform-wearing employees to have small visible tattoos.
KLM hasn’t yet committed to any changes to its strict uniform regulations but a spokesperson for the airline has confirmed that a review is taking place and an announcement is expected soon.
The airline said it wants to “give colleagues more space to be themselves in uniform, whoever they are”.
“Diversity and integration are an important issue for us. That’s why we are examining how the uniform regulations can be adapted,” a spokesperson for the airline has been quoted by German aviation publication Aerotelegraph who broke the story.
Other ideas on the table include allowing male cabin crew to wear makeup and nail varnish and increasing the number of permitted hairstyles.
KLM is expected to stop short of scrapping gender-based uniform rules altogether, but the airline will ease some rules to be more in keeping with some of its global rivals.
Last month, Australian carrier Qantas announced it would no longer make female cabin crew wear high heels, while all crew employees will now be allowed to have long hair worn in a ponytail or bun regardless of gender.
In 2022, Virgin Atlantic completely ditched gender-based uniform rules, and several U.S. carriers now allow flight attendants to ‘mix-and-match’ their uniform with pieces from what would traditionally be classed as a ‘male’ and ‘female’ uniform collection.
British Airways has also relaxed some gender-based uniform rules, although just like Qantas, the airline has maintained traditional gender-based garments. KLM is expected to follow this blueprint, giving staffers increased freedom while steering clear of upsetting certain groups.
