MUMBAI: AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes has divided the business world over a new kind of multitasking. On Monday, the airline’s top honco posted a photo of himself sitting in a meeting, shirtless, as a masseuse stands behind him and kneads his left shoulder.
The masseuse is in her work clothes, with apron, face mask and hair cap, while Fernandes sits shirtless on the corner of what looks like a table with a meeting on it.
In a LinkedIn post, Fernandes wrote: “It was a stressful week and Veranita Yosephine suggested a massage. I have to love Indonesian and AirAsia culture so I can get a massage and have a management meeting… We are making great progress and I have now completed the Capital A structure. Exciting days ahead. Proud of what we have built and never lost sight of the finish.”
Within a day, the post attracted 711 emoji reactions, 45 reposts and 98 reactions, mixed reactions from the white-collar party. Most of them criticized the CEO.
A female user said: “I don’t think the women in your company would feel comfortable or safe in this context, and since you’re the boss, they probably wouldn’t challenge you or say anything. Please listen for their sake. to the comments you deleted on this post. You are clearly a smart leader who cares about culture, but this is not the way to create a supportive, safe leader.” Another user said, “What kind of example are you setting for the coming generations and even those who look up to you. I don’t think it’s appropriate to hold an official meeting in such a way.” A senior aviation consultant said: “The poor staff on that call will need advice after seeing that…”. A senior manager commented, “Tony Fernandes, mixing self-care with shirtless gatherings seems inappropriate for both men and women. Looks like the Tamil film’s antagonist is holding a briefing in his study…pen intended. ” A regional director said: “Terrible indeed. This has nothing to do with Indonesian culture. Maybe it has to do with the lack of culture at AirAsia.”
Then there were people who wrote in support. “I applaud this brave man for being a change agent in the body positivity movement. We should celebrate all body shapes and sizes! ” wrote one. “I love this boss!” said another user. Another user trolled: “Tony, when you said Air Asia had an open culture, I didn’t expect it to be THIS open.. .(sic),” one user jokingly commented.
The masseuse is in her work clothes, with apron, face mask and hair cap, while Fernandes sits shirtless on the corner of what looks like a table with a meeting on it.
In a LinkedIn post, Fernandes wrote: “It was a stressful week and Veranita Yosephine suggested a massage. I have to love Indonesian and AirAsia culture so I can get a massage and have a management meeting… We are making great progress and I have now completed the Capital A structure. Exciting days ahead. Proud of what we have built and never lost sight of the finish.”
Within a day, the post attracted 711 emoji reactions, 45 reposts and 98 reactions, mixed reactions from the white-collar party. Most of them criticized the CEO.
A female user said: “I don’t think the women in your company would feel comfortable or safe in this context, and since you’re the boss, they probably wouldn’t challenge you or say anything. Please listen for their sake. to the comments you deleted on this post. You are clearly a smart leader who cares about culture, but this is not the way to create a supportive, safe leader.” Another user said, “What kind of example are you setting for the coming generations and even those who look up to you. I don’t think it’s appropriate to hold an official meeting in such a way.” A senior aviation consultant said: “The poor staff on that call will need advice after seeing that…”. A senior manager commented, “Tony Fernandes, mixing self-care with shirtless gatherings seems inappropriate for both men and women. Looks like the Tamil film’s antagonist is holding a briefing in his study…pen intended. ” A regional director said: “Terrible indeed. This has nothing to do with Indonesian culture. Maybe it has to do with the lack of culture at AirAsia.”
Then there were people who wrote in support. “I applaud this brave man for being a change agent in the body positivity movement. We should celebrate all body shapes and sizes! ” wrote one. “I love this boss!” said another user. Another user trolled: “Tony, when you said Air Asia had an open culture, I didn’t expect it to be THIS open.. .(sic),” one user jokingly commented.
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