Virgin management monitor young staff in Bali after spate of alleged no-shows, intoxication

Ongoing problems with alleged staff intoxication and no-shows prompted Virgin management to monitor staff in Bali after a spate of cancelled flights.

EXCLUSIVE

Virgin management travelled to Bali to monitor crew members after a spate of flight cancellations due to claims staff were too intoxicated or failing to turn up to work.

Internal investigations into the incidents uncovered possible drink spiking and food poisoning as Virgin management considered disciplinary action against crew members.

The ongoing problems with alleged staff intoxication and absenteeism prompted Virgin management to travel to Bali and stay with crew members for an extended period of time at the Holiday Inn Resort Baruna.

Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali. Picture: Supplied

The revelations come as this masthead reveals Virgin had hired young and inexperienced crew members after sacking thousands of experienced workers.

Virgin staff and crew seen in social media posts. It is not suggested any of the staff pictured have engaged in any inappropriate conduct such as drinking alcohol while at work or absenteeism.

The social media feeds of young Virgin cabin crew members, some of whom moonlight as influencers, show them drinking alcohol, partying between flights and luxuriating in overseas locations.

Virgin crew seen in social media posts. It is not suggested any of the staff pictured have engaged in any inappropriate conduct such as drinking alcohol while at work or absenteeism.

In one photo captioned “On hump day we be servin Virgin slay”, a young blonde air hostess wears the airline uniform and red lipstick as she poses with a colleague at the entrance of a plane.

Some of the posts are liked by the airline itself, while others include comments like “stunningly beautiful” and “living her best life”.

Virgin staff seen in social media posts. It is not suggested any of the staff pictured have engaged in any inappropriate conduct such as drinking alcohol while at work or absenteeism.

Another cabin crew member posted a picture of herself on television standing next to Virgin chief executive officer Jayne Hrdlicka with the words “Look mum we’re on tv”.

Virgin staff and crew seen in social media posts. It is not suggested any of the staff pictured have engaged in any inappropriate conduct such as drinking alcohol while at work or absenteeism.

It is understood Virgin management provided support and guidance including meeting crew in the lobby, hanging out with them by the hotel pool and taking them out to dinner.

Some of the social media posts are liked by the airline itself, including this one that shows Virgin Australia commented with a smiley emoji with love heart eye. It is not suggested any of the staff pictured have engaged in any inappropriate conduct such as drinking alcohol while at work or absenteeism.

It is not suggested that either of these air hostesses have engaged in any inappropriate conduct such as drinking alcohol while at work or absenteeism.

Virgin staff and crew aboard an aircraft pose in a photo shared in a social media post. It is not suggested any of the staff pictured have engaged in any inappropriate conduct such as drinking alcohol while at work or absenteeism.

Sources said the airline was aware of the risks younger crew members faced on international trips due to their relative youth and lack of experience.

It is understood younger crew members are less comfortable with lodging formal safety reports than their more experienced counterparts, instead choosing to document concerns on social media.

Virgin crew aboard an aircraft pose in a photo shared in a social media post. It is not suggested any of the staff pictured have engaged in any inappropriate conduct such as drinking alcohol while at work or absenteeism.

The lack of formal documentation has made it difficult for unions to pursue issues with Virgin although younger crew members regularly report issues online.

The airline’s workplace culture and safety is under scrutiny after the alleged rape of a 21-year-old crew member by a fake taxi driver in Fiji on New Year’s Day.

Virgin staff seen in social media posts. It is not suggested any of the staff pictured have engaged in any inappropriate conduct such as drinking alcohol while at work or absenteeism.

One source told this masthead that it was only a matter of time before something terrible happened given the relative inexperience of staff and the working conditions.

It is understood Virgin management representatives regularly travel to review and monitor the performance and safety of operations – not just to Bali, but other overseas and domestic locations.

Virgin staff seen in social media posts. It is not suggested any of the staff pictured have engaged in any inappropriate conduct such as drinking alcohol while at work or absenteeism.

Cabin crew are expected when working to adhere to policies and operating procedures including the consumption of alcohol.

Non-compliance with policies and procedures are investigated and disciplinary action is taken where deemed necessary.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson said safety concerns remained the airline’s highest priority and all incidents were promptly reviewed.

“Safety remains our highest priority and we take a thorough and proactive approach to ensure the welfare of our crew when travelling for work, both domestically and internationally,” said the spokesperson.

Originally published as Virgin management monitor young staff in Bali after spate of alleged no-shows, intoxication