Company policy on engagement rings

[hoopla]

Can I ask any cabin crew based in UK what your Company policy is about wearing an engagement ring at work/during flights - that is one with a stone of any sort...

I'm curious, as a friend of mine was told that the company they work for changed their rules recently even though they have worked for that airline for many years and they have previously been allowed to wear them as part of their one on each hand rule (no thumb rings allowed).
Earrings have been limited to gold, silver or pearl studs only.
And watches have to have either a plain leather or metal link strap - not a cuff style or anything "glitzy/sporty/fashion"

I have chosen to never wear my engagement ring at work because I don't want it getting soap or dirt in the setting let alone cold or wet hands and it falling off my finger, but how can any company object.

Appreciate any of your comments and info from girls, guys and any female pilots

[arewehomeyet]

Not quite sure they can object (unless its over 5 carats then that would probably come under health and safety). Engagement rings, traditionally are part and parcel of a betrothment, which is a religious ceremony (and as far as I'm aware you can't ban items of religion). Check with your union, cos I'm sure this type of jewellry is allowed - I have always worn mine without any mishaps

[christep]

Engagement rings, traditionally are part and parcel of a betrothment, which is a religious ceremony.You're kidding surely? Only a tiny proportion of people in the UK are actively religious these days, but every couple has an engagement ring!

[hoopla]

I'm not that in religious either, but in the UK we accept so many other faiths and cultures - an engagement ring with a stone and a wedding band is an international symbol.

God if your partner can afford a 5 carat stone - lucky you!
But I do understand that the size of a single rock that dominates your hand is not exactly what a passenger wants to see - rather your "sparkling" personality!

Also where there are a lot more civil partnerships aren't guys in the same boat?

I know my friend has contacted their Union but it's the Company's attitude that I think is out of order especially if someone in the office mentions "grooming standards" and the uniform/cabin crew handbook has not been updated in the last 15 years.

Any further comments appreciated ;)

[Juud]

... and as far as I'm aware you can't ban items of religion ...
You are not familiar with this case then?
A British Airways worker suspended for wearing a Christian cross said she was “very disappointed” at losing her claim for religious discrimination.

link (http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article3158620.ece)

Hoopla, on the one hand you write that the company has recently changed the rules, on the other that the uniform handbook has not been updated for 15 years.
I think the answer to your question lies right there.
If the written rules say she can wear her ring, she can.
If the written rules says she can't, then she can't.

If there is a discrepancy between the written rules and unwritten ones made up in an office somewhere, the company will be hard pushed to make the 'unwritten rule' stick.
IMHO.

[hoopla]

Quote:
A British Airways worker suspended for wearing a Christian cross said she was “very disappointed” at losing her claim for religious discrimination.

That was the case I was referring to regarding faith/religious items.

However I spoke to another crew member from the Company in question today, and also said that she had to take off both her stone engagement ring and stone wedding band when a Manager was on board doing her line check - and the implication was that if she didn't remove it ...... black mark on the record.

I have said that there must be something in writing clearly defining the rule - including any notice in the briefing manual which would supersede outdated points in question, which clearly states that the CAM is going to have a new insert within the next updates regarding the CC uniform standards.
I think their Union should be supportive if other UK/European carriers allow their cabin crew to wear engagement and wedding bands at work, not to mention female pilots!

[Rush2112]

Hmm, I'm just a bloke so I know nothing about jewellery (except that I am obliged to purchase it on occasion for Mrs Rush), but I would have thought that in a job where you are constantly putting your hands in metal drawers and cupboards, in and out of water and some cases helping passengers with bags, into their seats, and whatever, surely the last thing you would want to wear would be a fancy ring??

[christep]

I would have thought that in a job where you are constantly {...} helping passengers with bags, into their seats, and whatever, surely the last thing you would want to wear would be a fancy ring??My first thought was - you haven't travelled recently have you? But then I noticed "Location: Singapore". Isn't it nice being based in places where the cabin crew are still there to give decent service at least as much as for your safety? :D

[Juud]

christep, for years now you have intruded upon this forum for the sole purpose of touting the excellence of Asian cabin crew as opposed to the abysmal capabilities of Western CC.

If there is any way at all you can manage to stuff that opinion in whatever subject-thread, you will not hesitate. Relevance, or in your case the complete lack of it, has never deterred you.

Everybody is entitled to an opinion, but we are not obliged to subject ourselves to you obsessively pushing your narrow agenda on our forum.
Nor do we need to read more of your repetitive snide remarks about the standards of Western CC.

Go bore some other nice people, why don´t you?

[Romeo India Xray]

In a previous life I used to be a pub/restaurant manager and worked for a number of different companies in said role. In all companies it was obligatory that any rings containing a stone (either recessed or with a protruding mounting) be removed for all personnel. The theory behind this was that by being in a food handling role you risk subjecting the SLF of the restaurant to ingesting your stone should it become detached. Even if you could identify the gut your stone happened to be in you sure as hell would have a s:mad:ty job getting it back!

RIX

[Rush2112]

Actually, christep, I don't think the SQ CC should be manhandling bags into overhead lockers. If the passenger can't lift it by themself, they have no right taking it on a bloody plane!

And I do fly A Lot, thanks.