AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes took to the professional networking website, LinkedIn, and shared a post for which he has drawn considerable criticism. The post is now deleted, however, screenshots of it are still circulating the Internet. In the LinkedIn post, he is seen sitting shirtless in front of a tablet, in a meeting, while receiving a massage. Though the intention of the post was to show off the “positive work culture,” that is not how the post was perceived.
AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes Holds Meeting Shirtless
What stupidity is this by @airasia CEO Tony Fernandes. Having a clothes off massage in the office during a meeting. He said this is work-life balance. pic.twitter.com/U7C5wkCsms
— Gugu Aujla 🇨🇦 🇺🇲 🦅 (@GuguAujla) October 17, 2023
In a LinkedIn post that has now gone viral, and has even been deleted, the AirAsia CEO praised the work culture of his company. In the post, which consisted of a picture and caption, he spoke highly of the fact that he was able to get a massage while in a board meeting. He spoke of it as if it was a great show of work-life balance.
That’s it, Tony Fernandes has won LinkedIn.
Time to delete our accounts and move on with our lives pic.twitter.com/gEcqCp9zVu
— Tanmay Yadav (@yeatzus) October 16, 2023
However, the picture showed him sitting shirtless in front of a tablet while a masseuse was massaging him. The post evoked criticism on a number of fronts from the Netizens. Though the post has now been deleted from LinkedIn, screenshots of it are still circulating the Internet. One of the biggest issues that people had with the post was how inappropriate it was.
@airasia CEO #tonyfernandes being criticised for attending a board meeting while getting a massage and sitting shirtless. How many of his employees would actually been allowed to do that? pic.twitter.com/ZYwS8sXnWu
— Sumit Chaturvedi (@joinsumit) October 18, 2023
Regardless of one’s position in the company, sitting shirtless for a board meeting did not go down well with the people of the Internet. Many questioned if he would’ve been afforded this “privilege” if he wasn’t a CEO or a man. A comment cited in an article recently published by the Hindustan Times asked whether a woman or a woman-identifying person would be allowed to do this.
Also Read: Pune-Kolkata AirAsia Flight Was Delayed For 5 Hrs; Stranded Passengers Claim They Weren’t Notified
Netizens React To The “Work-Life Balance”
AirAsia’s Tony Fernandes under fire for a half-naked massage photo. 📸✈️ Let’s remember that professionalism matters, even in the airline industry. #AirAsia #TonyFernandes“l pic.twitter.com/3idckU2Np5
— Saint wizzy (@Saintwizzy8) October 18, 2023
A second issue was that many perceived the post as implicitly praising the work-life balance offered by the company as he could get a massage while in a meeting. However, many viewed it as the very proof of the lack thereof. Many pointed pointed how the fact that did not even have time to rest or take care of himself is a testament to his long working hours.
Tony Fernandes interviewing pilots for Air Asia pic.twitter.com/tciCwGf2in
— Sameer Sewak (@Naa_Cheese) October 17, 2023
These long working hours mean that work-life balance is not adequate or else, he would have had the time exclusively set time out for a massage, as per Netizens. Many people rightly pointed out that the younger generation is increasingly against toxic work cultures and the “grind” mindset and “hustle culture” are not glorified anymore.
Also Read: 40-YO Man Arrested At Bangalore Airport For Misbehaving With An Air Hostess On AirAsia Goa Flight
What are your opinions about this particular incident? Do you think his actions were appropriate? Let us know in the comments below!
Cover Image Credits: @Saintwizzy8/X (Formerly, Twitter)
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.
Good news! We are on WhatsApp! Subscribe to Curly Tales WhatsApp Channel to stay up-to-date with exclusive content and BTS. Join HERE.