Female Flight Crew Furious Over Heel Requirements, Argue Policy Poses Health & Safety Risks
El Al’s female flight attendants are protesting over new uniform regulations that require them to wear high heels until takeoff.
Female flight crew members of Israeli flag carrier El Al have reacted angrily to the news that they must now wear high heels right up until takeoff. In an email sent late last week to all staff, employees were informed that heels must be worn by female crew until passengers are seated and it’s time for takeoff.
Until now, female cabin crew were required to wear heels only upon arrival at the airport of their departure and when walking past passengers who were waiting to board. Under the old rules, as soon as they themselves boarded, female crew members could immediately swap to more practical shoes.
According to El Al, these changes bring its uniform policy in-line with those of other carriers. “The company updates its service procedures and within that framework it has decided that the stewardesses teams wear presentable shoes also when welcoming customers to flights,” Yehudit Grisaro, vice president of customer service at El Al, told The Times of Israel. “Immediately after the seating, and during the entire flight, activities are in work shoes. We stress that this practice is accepted in the world air industry.”
While heels are never the most practical choice of footwear, female members El Al’s crew are protesting the change and petitioning for repeal. Crew members say the new regulation poses a risk to health and safety, arguing that wearing heels could hinder female cabin crew from ably assisting passengers during an emergency.
“It is unbelievable how much an employer can be disconnected from his workers,” remarked an anonymous crew member.
The controversy has even escalated into Israeli politics, with Shelly Yachimovich, Member of Knesset for the country’s Zionist Party, tweeting: “Boo to El Al for requiring flight attendants to wear heels until the last of the passengers have sat down. My suggestion: All the men in the El Al management should wear heels to work.”
[Photo: iStock]