Airport worker suspended for wearing too much hair gel

A 20-year-old worker at Stansted Airport has reportedly been suspended from work for a week – for wearing too much gel in his hair. According to the BBC, John Graham, who works for the handling firm Swissport and is also a member of the GMB union, was sent home on Thursday after turning up to work with a “spiky” hair style. He faced a hearing yesterday. Swissport reportedly defended its actions by saying that the worker did not conform with the company dress code, but the GMB claims it is “amazed” he was not allowed to return to work after one day. A Swissport spokesman is quoted as saying: “Uniform standards, which are required by Swissport and the company’s client airlines, are published to all staff and form part of the terms of employment. In addition to the published standards, appearance and grooming is included in the induction and training course given to all staff.” The GMB claims that Mr Graham has already conformed with the rules by reducing the amount of gel in his hair, adding: “Workers are only ever suspended for gross misconduct such as stealing or fighting. It is madness to threaten a person’s living over something like this.” Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad