I run a GHA and just had a fairly major airline complain about one of my check-in staff for not using lipstick!

She had gone au naturel regarding her lips and I could not really see the problem.

I know most major airlines have rules regarding lipstick tones etc for cabin crew but I had never thought that airlines might like this applied to contracted ground staff too!

How offended would you be if your check-in agent had chosen to not apply lipstick?

(She was checking in Economy class pax if that makes a difference).

As a passenger, I couldn't care less.

Some airlines do have standards and dress codes and want those standards/dress codes followed worldwide to project some type of image. That would probably be specified in some contract that you signed with them.

as Palal said, some are likely able to fire employees for not following requirements.

I am really bemused by airlines' obsession with lipstick and the notion that one is not groomed *without* lipstick.

As a passenger I care more about courtesy and efficiency. Will I care about the check agents lipstick if I'm queuing for hours in some outstation? Of course not

That said, if the airline has complained then it would be in your (and your staff's) interest to comply or come to an agreement. Did said airline stipulate any dress code prior to this?

Could care less.

Really? Lipstick?
And not just any lipstick. Not that kind that's lip colored. Apparently it has to be noticeably colored.
Would they object to Goth black?
Hey, it's lipstick.

These are contracted ground staff in an undesirable African location, dealing with expat road warriors and locals and the odd tourist!

In my mind, it is hard to take seriouslythis request as our main aim is to get all pax airside asap with minimum discomfort in the given circumstance.

I can provide my staff with the latest Chloe lipstick (or whatever) but it just adds to the cost of local passenger handling...

We already provide them with footwear, sock/stockings, sunglasses etc so it is hard to believe what more the airlines or the health and safety inspectors could want?

And now the airlines want lipstick!

If you work for a GHA at JFK do you get lipstick,. sunglasses, socks/stockings?

I seriously doubt it!

Do GHAs at JFK provide lipstick to staff?

Rant over!

Nothing in the SLA!

But I always like to apease!

Rather than focusing on the lipstick, does the agent have a polished and well groomed appearance? This, plus competence, politeness, and cordiality are what should matter. A really good agent will go above and beyond when appropriate and be able to solve problems, etc.

+1

I'll offer two reactions:

As a customer I am not bothered at all if front desk staff choose not to wear lipstick. I certainly always appreciate a professional appearance, including matching uniforms that fit and are kept neat and clean, well groomed hair, and good personal hygiene. Makeup is not really a part of that to me-- except as a negative, when it's applied poorly (often when used excessively). More important to me than any appearance issues, though, are the staff's professional behavior and competence.

As a business savvy person I am bothered that your client thinks it's okay to add arbitrary requirements not documented in your contract. That is not professional. Call them on it!

For the passenger it's beyond irrelevant, I can't imagine anyone seriously complaining about this. It's however in your interest to accommodate your customers' needs, regardless whether you see any justification for it. If a customer sees a problem the last thing they want to hear is you volunteering your opinion that there isn't any. If such a requirement is not part of the original contract though, an opportunity to make a pricing adjustment might have just opened up.

Are your staff wearing your uniforms or customer uniforms? If the former, then your uniform standards would prevail, whatever those may be. If the latter, then the customer can specify grooming standards but must provide all items to support the grooming standards specified.

This could also be relevant at small U.S. airports like my local one, where the same employees provide ground services for all airlines.

BTW, are we talking about male or female employees?