Fern-like symbol 'koru' and Maori tattoos. (Getty Images)

Air New Zealand to end ban on staff tattoos

Air New Zealand announced on Monday (6/10) that it will drop longstanding regulation that prohibits employees from having visible tattoos, as the policy is criticized to has discriminated the Maori employees.

Despite drawing the Maori language in its marketing campaigns and using the cultural symbol known as ‘koru’ as the airline’s logo and on the tails of its planes, Air New Zealand is said to be against employees that come from Maori background by many cultures and rights advocates. Some New Zealanders with Maori heritage mark their genealogy by wearing tattoos on their face or arms and are considered as culturally sacred within the community.

However, the company rules restrict them to apply for roles such as flight attendant. Local media said the critics aroused after high-profile cases of individuals had been refused for roles at Air New Zealand because of the visible tattoos. Therefore, to resolve this issue the airline will allow all employees to display ‘non-offensive’ tattoos at work.

The chief executive officer Christopher Luxon said that the company’s decision to drop the ban followed five months of research with customers and staff with findings that say more than 35% people under 30 in New Zealand at least have one tattoo. The research makes it clearer that tattoos are becoming more accepted in the country, especially as a means of cultural and individual expression.

Mr. Luxon added that the airline will treat tattoos like speech to determine what would be considered as offensive—just like the use of language in the workplace.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-airnewzealand-tattoo/air-new-zealand-drops-ban-on-staff-tattoos-amid-discrimination-concerns-idUSKCN1TB09D