[Poshgirl58]

nmh1204 – you didn’t! Was acknowledging your input. As I said, I’m pleased that we’ve all freely expressed our opinions.

SimonS1 – was thinking about posts on other sites where passengers have commented about already drunk passengers being served more. Totally agree that good crew will anticipate. I remember watching that programme that featured Britannia crew operating from Manchester. One of their stewards took the view that the tipsy passengers would sleep all the way home. Luckily for him, they did!

Cloud-9 – totally agree!

[maiden-voyage.com]

Hi Poshgirl,

Did you get all the information you needed? We specialise in all things lone female corporate traveller and are currently running lots of research in this area, do check out http://www.maiden-voyage.com

[Poshgirl58]

Thanks maiden-voyage, already aware of your organisation.

Had done a lot of research, produced a presentation and collected a large amount of background information. Unfortunately, project has stalled (predictably) because of resourcing. Other reasons are employer undecided on who will deliver/whether it will be standalone or combined with other training. Also they will not fund attendance at two-day Duty of Care conference in Feb (I can only attend for one day). Cannot fund conference myself (£600+ incl travel and accom) so unless I can find a sponsor, an important event will be missed.

Have contacted number of female colleagues with view to setting up women’s network in company this year, will see how far we get with that!

[LuganoPirate]

Maybe flying Saudia is the answer. 😉

[TheRealBabushka]

Poshgirl58,

Would it constitute gender discrimination for your organisation by implying female employees require a lone female traveller policy?

[Poshgirl58]

TheRealBabushka – I told my boss that it couldn’t just be for females for exactly the reason you mention. One of the directors asked if he could attend as men get harassed too. Audience will be mixed to avoid discrimination. There are some issues unique to females which we can discuss in a women’s network.

LP – The Saudia story appeared earlier in 2014. A quiet news day at DM?! It’s a contentious subject, where do you draw the line as there’s culture/religion to be considered and the peanut allergy sufferers who want special attention (according to recent US press reports).

[IanFromHKG]

TheRealBabushka, Poshgirl, there are carve-outs in many discrimination laws permitting discrimination where it is to offset an existing gender imbalance or there is another genuine justification for the discrimination. There is also a tie-in with the legal requirements in many countries to ensure a safe workplace. *If* women are seen as being at greater risk of harassment or other dangers when travelling for work reasons, then a lone female traveller policy is not only unlikely to infringe discrimination laws, it may even be something that the employer *should* have in place. Of course there is also the question of whether the dangers are such that there should be a policy for all lone travellers regardless of sex (which might well be the case in some places)!

Poshgirl, my company has women’s networks – and in line with our requirements for other networks, all staff must be permitted to join and participate. Interestingly, on average about one third of the attendees at meetings of the women’s network in London are men.

[IanFromHKG]

TheRealBabushka, Poshgirl, there are carve-outs in many discrimination laws permitting discrimination where it is to offset an existing gender imbalance or there is another genuine justification for the discrimination. There is also a tie-in with the legal requirements in many countries to ensure a safe workplace. *If* women are seen as being at greater risk of harassment or other dangers when travelling for work reasons, then a lone female traveller policy is not only unlikely to infringe discrimination laws, it may even be something that the employer *should* have in place. Of course there is also the question of whether the dangers are such that there should be a policy for all lone travellers regardless of sex (which might well be the case in some places)!

Poshgirl, my company has women’s networks – and in line with our requirements for other networks, all staff must be permitted to join and participate. Interestingly, on average about one third of the attendees at meetings of the women’s network in London are men.

[Poshgirl58]

Ian – thanks for your valuable advice and insight into your women’s network. Am aware that there are exemptions to discrimination laws. Your comment regarding a policy for all lone travellers is certainly needed, as I am never surprised by the lack of commonsense that can be displayed!

Employee safety/security, regardless of sex, will be the priority.

[jsn55]

I am fortunate to be six feet tall and beyond self confident so I have rarely been bothered by anyone, unless I wanted to be. It’s my opinion that obnoxious males will continue to be as obnoxious as they can get away with. If proper punishment were to be inflicted every time, soon they would start behaving themselves. We are paying the price for a politically-correct society that excuses almost any behaviour. If you drool all over your seatmate and SHE gets moved to another seat, how will that cause you to not do it again? There have to be some consequences for bad behaviour, even if it’s the captain coming out and yelling at the bad guy. Follow that up with law enforcement meeting the plane and perhaps the message would get out.

[jsn55]

On the hotel scene, yet again last month I was given a key to my room without any verification of my identity when I reported that I had left the room without it. Instead of asking, front desk actually told ME what my name was when I stated the room number. Staff must be trained to at least maintain a tiny bit of security for all guests, but especially solo females. If I were the slightest bit concerned, I would never hesitate to ask a staff member to escort me wherever I want to go.

[IanFromHKG]

Hong Kong is considering amendment to its sexual harrassment and sexual discrimination laws, so that unwelcome sexual overtures by customers will be outlawed. Apparently this is particularly welcomed by airline staff…

[Poshgirl58]

hueyjudy – I’m five feet tall so I won’t be bothering you 😉

Agree with your comments. When I contacted some local hotels, the results were interesting. The more exclusive ones took ages to answer, if at all. The one that knew exactly what I was talking about was Premier Inn. This did not surprise me as they mention lone female guests on their website. Unfortunately I have also experienced the over-excited, male hotel staff who bombard you with ‘phone calls offering everything from room service to a date!

Ian – that is good news.

[jsn55]

So Poshgirl58, is this an opportunity to work with Premier Inns so female travellers can be confident they’ll be properly supported when staying there? I used the LHR one several years ago and it was just fine, and certainly inexpensive.

[Poshgirl58]

Hueyjudy – we already do. Until we recently engaged a new TMC, PI was the hotel of choice, for both male and female staff. PI have a long association with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. My local one, Birmingham North, certainly understood their policy in the telephone interview I conducted with one of the receptionists. Glad to hear your experience at LHR was good.

I also understand the one at DXB is excellent.

[Author]

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