An EasyJet cabin manager was dismissed for gross misconduct after calling female flight attendants “lovely ladies” and using the aircraft tannoy for comedy sketches, an employment tribunal has heard.
Ross Barr, who worked as a cabin manager based in Edinburgh, faced complaints from colleagues and passengers about inappropriate comments, including telling a female crew member he was “staring at your ass” and referring to brushing past her “boobs”. He also admitted to calling colleagues “lovely ladies” over the tannoy and using the phrase “cow juice” while serving tea and coffee.
The tribunal was told that Barr had received a final written warning in August 2022 for sexual harassment and breaches of the airline’s bullying policy. A further complaint in late 2023 alleged inappropriate comments of a sexual nature, as well as homophobic and transphobic remarks. In August last year, a passenger complained after overhearing Barr say to a female colleague: “I’m not doing anything. I’m just staring at your ass.”
Barr argued that his sacking was unfair, suggesting that a gay colleague would not have faced the same disciplinary action. However, Judge Muriel Robison dismissed his claim, ruling that the airline’s decision to dismiss him “fell within the range of reasonable responses”.
The tribunal heard that Barr had been promoted to cabin manager in 2016 after joining EasyJet in 2014. During disciplinary proceedings, he described some of his actions as “banter” but was told he had failed to show remorse or acknowledge the seriousness of his behaviour, which included impacting flight safety and damaging the company’s reputation.
