BAEC HHA - Is 'Head of the Household' a sexist term?
May 6, 2017, 4:41 am
#1
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BAEC HHA - Is 'Head of the Household' a sexist term?
From today's Times (subscription or registration required):
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b...torm-f0xddw3vx
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b...torm-f0xddw3vx
May 6, 2017, 4:48 am
#3
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In line with FT policy in this area, I'll just add a summary:
Originally Posted by The Times
When Ruth Blakeley, a senior university academic, logged on to her British Airways account to try to change some details before a flight, she received an automatic error message. She was not authorised to make such changes, the message said. Instead, these would have to be done by her husband as “head of the household”.
Professor Blakeley, 39, of the international relations department at the University of Kent, hit the roof. She accused the airline of perpetuating “gender stereotypes” and of using outdated language more appropriate to her grandfather’s generation.
British Airways stood firm, however, insisting that the phrase “bears no relation to gender” and saying that Professor Blakeley could herself have been designated as “head of the household” — provided that her husband agreed.
Professor Blakeley, 39, of the international relations department at the University of Kent, hit the roof. She accused the airline of perpetuating “gender stereotypes” and of using outdated language more appropriate to her grandfather’s generation.
British Airways stood firm, however, insisting that the phrase “bears no relation to gender” and saying that Professor Blakeley could herself have been designated as “head of the household” — provided that her husband agreed.
May 6, 2017, 4:56 am
#5
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Mmmm? I saw this yesterday, here a link to the full story that appeared in The Telegraph yesterday:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017...gners-british/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017...gners-british/
May 6, 2017, 5:00 am
#6
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Originally Posted by The Times
...[She could have] been designated as “head of the household” —provided that her husband agreed.
May 6, 2017, 5:02 am
#7
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"Household Reference Person". Lovely!
May 6, 2017, 5:04 am
#8
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At first glance, seems like a fuss over nothing, but I can see how the phrasing used for the HHA feature has perhaps led to the misunderstanding:
1) The phrase "head of the household" has historically referred to the husband, and IMO is outdated.
2) BA's family Avios pooling/booking feature is (understandably) called a Household account.
3) The main user in the HHA is (apparently) referred to as the "head of the household [account]"
4) This happens to have been set up by a husband in this case, whose wife logs on to make some changes and finds that she can't unless the "head of the household" authorises it. Perhaps understandably, said individual (an expert on state violence and feminism) is rather peeved.
So ultimately perhaps some wording tweaks and a 'mea culpa' would be sufficient?
However, this points to a bigger issue/question: the newspapers do seem to have it in for BA at the moment (in some cases, with valid reason). But the atmosphere is such that if the actual issue is relatively minor, the presumption in the press seems to be that BA is acting with malicious intent. Seems like BA's PR need to be more proactive generally...
1) The phrase "head of the household" has historically referred to the husband, and IMO is outdated.
2) BA's family Avios pooling/booking feature is (understandably) called a Household account.
3) The main user in the HHA is (apparently) referred to as the "head of the household [account]"
4) This happens to have been set up by a husband in this case, whose wife logs on to make some changes and finds that she can't unless the "head of the household" authorises it. Perhaps understandably, said individual (an expert on state violence and feminism) is rather peeved.
So ultimately perhaps some wording tweaks and a 'mea culpa' would be sufficient?
However, this points to a bigger issue/question: the newspapers do seem to have it in for BA at the moment (in some cases, with valid reason). But the atmosphere is such that if the actual issue is relatively minor, the presumption in the press seems to be that BA is acting with malicious intent. Seems like BA's PR need to be more proactive generally...
May 6, 2017, 6:06 am
#13
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hold
2. I am the 'lead person' in the BAEC HHA.
3. I do all the flight research and bookings.
4. My wife does all the hotel research, and supervises me when I do the bookings.
We make a good Team, and really don't give a **** about this gender nonsense
May 6, 2017, 6:15 am
#14
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Originally Posted by FT Rules
FlyerTalk is here for the purpose of sharing meaningful information. Don't simply post a link by itself to another source, such as an article or blog. Posts containing such links should contain enough information so as to be contributive to FlyerTalk itself.
May 6, 2017, 6:15 am
#15
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Nonsense story. Another example of people taking personal offence when there is no rational reason for doing so.
"I don't want to go over the top about it, there are much worse things happening to women all over the world..." But you have now gone to the media. Ok
"I don't want to go over the top about it, there are much worse things happening to women all over the world..." But you have now gone to the media. Ok