Should SIA girls be smoking in uniform?
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PICTURE this: Our iconic Singapore Girl dressed in her sarong kebaya holding a cigarette between her well-manicured fingers and puffing away.
One traveller asked: Is this an image of the Singapore Girl we want to see?
He was concerned enough to e-mail a photograph he took of three Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight attendants lighting up in public to citizen journalism website Stomp.
Identifying himself as LCS, he said: "I came back from a business trip on Saturday, July 31, and saw three (SIA) girls smoking in their uniform at the arrival hall of Terminal 2.
"I have nothing against smokers. In fact, I am a smoker too. But I think these girls should have some pride and discipline when they are in their uniform." From the picture, it appears that the women were smoking outside the airport.
Visitors cannot smoke inside the airport unless it's at designated smoking areas.
When contacted, an SIA spokesman said: "Singapore Airlines has high expectations of the conduct of our cabin crew while in uniform, and we are conscious that it shapes public perception of the airline's image and standards.
"Crew are reminded to be well-groomed and to be on their best behaviour when in uniform.
"Where smoking is concerned, we actively promote a healthy lifestyle to our crew, and while there is no outright prohibition on smoking, we do have internal regulations which crew are required to abide by, and in accordance with laws governing non-smoking zones."
Would the sight of SIA flight attendants smoking have a negative impact on the airline's image?
Said Ms Jo Clary Maughan, leading image consultant for F3 Image Consultants: "It's not a good look because people associate its squeaky clean image with the nice-looking girls and great customer service. It sort of contradicts its branding and image.
"A uniform brands a person to a particular company - that's how companies distinguish themselves. When you're branded, people take notice and take more note of you than when you're just wearing everyday clothes."
The solution, she suggested, would be for SIA to designate a smoking area for its staff that is closed off from the public.
Alternatively, the airline could ban its employees from smoking in public when in uniform, she said. But this may not go down well with the employees as the company could be seen as dictating what they do in their own free time.
Ms Jill Lowe, of image consultancy Jill Lowe International, said that smoking in public while in uniform might be acceptable if one is working for a tobacco company.
"But since smoking is such an anti-social action, it has no place in any company's brand-building."
A check with other airlines showed there is no hard and fast rule on staff smoking in public.
While Cathay Pacific has a set of policies and guidelines in place for uniformed staff in terms of their appearance and behaviour, it does not impose a ban on smoking in public.
The spokesman said: "In essence, staff in uniform are expected to exercise good manners, so as to maintain our corporate image and the good reputation of the airline.
"As for smoking, as it is a personal choice, our guideline is that (members of) our uniform(ed) staff (are) allowed to smoke only in designated areas if they wish."
The same goes for Jetstar, which does not impose a ban on staff smoking in public.
But its cabin crew are expected to be on good behaviour at all times, regardless of whether or not they are on flight duty, said a spokesman.
Stricter guidelines
Thai Airways has a stricter set of guidelines on staff behaviour. Its employees are not allowed to smoke in public, drink, gamble or even shop while in uniform, a spokesman said.
Employees who get caught are given a warning. If they are recalcitrant, a committee will decide on appropriate action against them, she added.
Other uniformed organisations such as Certis Cisco, Aetos and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are stricter. SAF personnel in uniform caught smoking in public are fined $50 for the first offence and $100 for a repeat offence.
Officers from Certis Cisco and Aetos are not allowed to smoke in public when in uniformand on duty.
A Certis Cisco spokesman said failure to obey standing instructions may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the severity of the misconduct.
An Aetos spokesman said the behaviour of its officers is governed by an Auxiliary Police Standing Order on general conduct and action can be taken against offenders.
-- Asiaone
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Actually they shouldn't.
Not of image issue but I mean seeing a group of smokers in uniform clustering at 1 corner.
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SIA is just one of the millions of private companies. they are no different from others.
why cant the employees smoke?
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aiyah.... small matters lah..... smoke then smoke loh, si mi iconic not iconic.....
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should anyone give a shit?
they're just waitresses in a big bus with wings anyway
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funny thread ...
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Stress ma... heh
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hanor
locals love to rant on small things....
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Wait they tarnish SIA reputation.
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if you gf works for SIA... you will tell her ... take your time..
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I am under the impression that SIA no longer promote the theme of "Singapore Girl" so it is not to tarnish All Singapore Female.
But Smoking is prohibited in many business area in global cities.
So used your common sense ladies.
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They should not smoke in public, instead should have a private room for smoking or away from public eyes. Image is very important.
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I think SIA girls who smoke looks more sexy.
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A form of stress release.
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why not? no big deal? even surgeons have smoking break during operation
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Originally posted by dechang:
I think SIA girls who smoke looks more sexy.
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the girls are also humans like us what...stomper is making a mountain out of molehill...
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what stress????they not flying the plane or fixing the plane up.....not even cookin the food.
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Originally posted by likeyou:
They should not smoke in public, instead should have a private room for smoking or away from public eyes. Image is very important.
"Should" and "should not" only reserve for under age kids.
employees have rights.
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tsk tsk... SIA cabin crew smoke.. a stewardess no less
but then i always see cabin crew (various airlines incld SIA) smoke in airport public areas -
ok, like that all nsmen, and NSFs cannot be caught smoking in uniform in public areas regardless designated area or not.