Airlines and unfair dismissal: Cases

Mr David Taleski v Virgin Australia International Airlines Pty Ltd T/A Virgin Australia (U2011/12885) [2013] FWC 93 (11 January 2013)

This decision reinstated an employee dismissed for not complying with Virgin Australia's flight attendant grooming policies.

Facts

David Taleski was employed as a flight attendant by Virgin Australia. Between July 2010 and October 2011, Mr Taleski and Virgin were engaged in protracted discussions as to the length of Mr Taleski's hair. Mr Taleski wished to maintain a hairstyle past collar length, and presented medical reasons for doing so. This style contravened Virgin Australia's Look Book, a company policy prescribing acceptable dress and presentation standards for male and female flight crew.