At the end of June, Easyjet employees based in Geneva and Basel alerted the SSP air traffic union about “a disturbing email”. In this email, the low-cost airline asks them for highly personal information, such as sexual orientation, gender or origin. An “unacceptable and completely crazy” approach, believes the union secretary, Jamshid Pouranpir.
He points out that “the purpose of this survey remains unclear. No explanation has been provided as to how the data will be used.” However, the unionist has his own idea. “One of Easyjet’s hobby horses is inclusion. The company wants to give itself a clear conscience by showing that it has a mix of genders and sexual orientations among its staff. But there is no way this information will become a sales argument and turn into advertising.”
The expert has therefore recommended that employees do not respond to the questionnaire and is preparing to contact Easyjet to demand the removal of this survey, as well as a letter of apology. In the event of refusal, legal action will be taken, warns Jamshid Pouranpir, who fears “a generalisation of this practice if nothing is done. We will defend the right of employees not to disclose these details of their private lives.”
The carrier specifies in its email that participation is voluntary. But the union representative does not believe it. “When you receive an injunction from your employer, it is no longer optional.”
Another surprising fact: only employees based in Switzerland (around 1,000 people), Austria, Spain, Italy and Portugal received the form. “What about the parent company in England, France and Germany?” asks the union secretary, who is also concerned about the confidentiality of this data.
Easyjet’s desire for inclusion
When contacted, the airline explained its approach by the desire to “develop an inclusive culture where everyone feels at home, in order to reflect the communities we serve. Better understanding the backgrounds of our colleagues helps us understand how to better represent these communities and ensure that we attract, develop and retain talent from all backgrounds.”
