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A former Emirates flight attendant has alleged that employees were provided with time limits tolose weightif their uniforms appeared snug and would be dismissed if they failed to accomplish it on time.

A former management employee who worked at the airline for nearly six years mentioned that flight attendants were placed in a ‘Weight Management Programme’ if their uniform didn’t fit properly, and ‘all it took was being seen by the wrong person’.

A high-end airline based in Dubai is known for hiring young, attractive, and slim employees.

A 38-year-old stated to the Daily Mail that although not everyone was attractive, appearing well-groomed was nearly expected.

He stated: “You link that position with being young, attractive, and stylish.”

They were all assembled in the same manner, and everyone was required to have the identical color of lipstick, yet it wasn’t necessary to be beautiful.

But you were measured for your uniform, and before every flight there were grooming inspections. I had to ensure the girls were wearing the right nail polish, the guys had the proper shoes, and similar details.

If the uniform appeared slightly snug, I was required to report it, and if they needed to move up a size, they faced the possibility of being placed on a weight management program.

They provide you with a dietary program and support from a nutritionist, so there is some help available, but much of the responsibility lies with you. You are given a specific timeframe in which you need to return to your previous weight, or else you risk losing your job.

If your attire was excessively snug, all it would take is for you to be noticed by the wrong individual.

You were removed from your list, they wouldn’t let you fly until you could fit into your uniform once more. People lost their jobs.

The comments follow Emirates’ CEO Sir Tim Clark denying, during a question from Pierce Morgan Uncensored, whether ‘older and unattractive men and women are prohibited from being hired.’

Mr Clark said: ‘WWe are constantly seeking individuals who possess the qualities essential to maintain and grow our brand. These include empathy, the ability to collaborate with others, and the capacity to perform effectively under pressure.

If it occurs by chance that they happen to be attractive, then well done.

The former cabin supervisor mentioned that although he did not intend to report individuals, he was dealing with his own pressures from more senior employees.

You were measured for your uniform. If it appeared too snug, I would have to report it and they would be enrolled in a weight management program.

If there had been someone higher up, they would have mentioned that I should have noticed that individual, and then I would have faced consequences.

That’s simply the way it was; you were trained to consider it standard. You don’t understand how unusual it is until you step away.

It wasn’t frequent, but it definitely occurred.

The stress of being prohibited from flying and losing employment led to situations where individuals resorted to unhealthy methods to shed pounds.

There was a girl who used to play with a yo-yo extensively. I believe she went on a diet a few times, as she would shed weight rapidly because she enjoyed flying and wanted to return to it.

The 38-year-old remarked, ‘I believe there are likely more beneficial approaches she could have taken.’

Other sources have previously stated that individuals participating in the weight management program were provided with dietary and physical activity plans and would meet with HR to review their development.

Allegations state that not meeting the weight targets set by airline officials could result in penalties like reduced salaries.

An Emirates flight attendant stated she left her 10-year job following three years of participation in a weight control program, which included unexpected weight inspections prior to flights.

Duygu Karaman, residing in High Wycombe, once mentioned theMirror that over the past three years of her employment with the airline, her body size was monitored due to an anonymous coworker’s complaint that she was “too heavy.”

She mentioned that even though she is a size 12 and weighs 10 stone 7 pounds, the airline started monitoring her BMI and would randomly select her for weight inspections before flights.

And Maya Dukaric, who once served as a flight attendant with the airline, stated that ‘weight police’ sometimes would halt cabin crew at airports and comment: ‘Hey, sweetheart. You need to take it easier.’

A concerning element of the position was that employees had to retire by the age of 50, according to the 38-year-old individual.

He stated, “It’s a highly physically challenging profession, but I don’t like the notion of reaching 50 and being compelled to retire due to the limited options available afterward.”

Emirates needs to provide more for them afterward, which I don’t think they actually do.

He thought back to his tenure at the company, which he had left nearly nine years prior.

It’s Dubai, and they have the freedom to do whatever they desire. To people like you and me, it may seem crazy, but there was nothing safeguarding us.

Reflecting on it now, it’s quite strange, but back then I had no other perspective—I just accepted it as normal.

I really enjoyed the way of life and there were some excellent aspects to the job, but when I look back, some of the elements were quite harmful.

Emirates have been approached for a statement.

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