British Airways ditches sex-based uniform rules

British Airways has gone gender-neutral, ditching its sex-based uniform rules, according to reports. The move echoes that made by Virgin Atlantic in September.The carrier airline is understood to be nearing the end of a review of its uniform policy.In its 2015 ‘Uniform Wearer Standards’ document, it said, ‘the uniform proudly signals the airline’s British heritage and values’.Notes on make-up were filed solely in the section on the ‘Female uniform’, while men were told to use ‘concealer only’ in order to conceal blemishes and skin conditions and not to wear false eyelashes.In a new internal memo sent to staff, British Airways (BA) appeared to signal that an overhaul of its old approach was incoming. British Airways goes gender-neutral, ditching sex-based uniform rules. (Image: PA)This, quoted in MailOnline, told staff to ‘be bold, be proud, be yourself’.The author added that they hoped the memo would be ’embraced by everyone regardless of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, background, culture, sexual identity, or otherwise’.Male pilots and cabin crew are understood to have been told they can wear a ‘touch of mascara and lip colour’, as well as false eyelashes.Nail polish is also to be accepted.READ MORE: HMS Queen Elizabeth leaves Portsmouth in NATO deployment British Airways flight. (Image: Getty)The apparent move follows that of Virgin Atlantic, which earlier this year updated its ‘gender identity policy’.It said: ‘The policy, effective today, champions the individuality of Virgin Atlantic’s people by enabling them to wear the clothing that expresses how they identify or present themselves. This follows previous changes including optional make-up and allowing visible tattoos for crew members and its front-line people.’In addition to the policy, wider updates include the introduction of optional pronoun badges, ticketing system amends to allow for passport holders with gender neutral gender markers to use their gender codes and titles, mandatory inclusivity training for staff and training in destination with tourism and hotel partners.’DON’T MISS: Hated Brexit deal ‘could shatter UK’ [OPINION] Farage blasts those blaming conflict in Ukraine for inflation [NEWS] Britons blast Tories and Labour who are ‘as bad as each other’ [OPINION] British Airways staff in 2018. (Image: Getty)BA also last year stopped referring to passengers as ‘ladies and gentlemen’ in an attempt to champion ‘diversity and inclusion’.Announcements now tend to begin with the words: ‘Attention, all passengers.’Commenting on its uniform update, the airline said it had worked with ‘our people’ to reach new guidelines.A spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We are proud of all of our colleagues at British Airways and we are committed to an inclusive working environment.’We have worked with our people to create updated guidelines for grooming, beauty and accessories, allowing our colleagues to bring the best, most authentic version of themselves to work every day.’