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Virgin Atlantic

(35 Posts)
Toadinthehole Mon 16-Mar-20 17:24:11

I’ve just heard on the news, that Richard Branson wants all his virgin Atlantic employees to take three months unpaid leave during this corona crisis. Does anyone else think he should pay them? He’s supposedly worth 4 billion, and this would cost him around 35 million.

TerriBull Thu 19-Mar-20 16:48:00

When our children were young we flew across the Atlantic a few times with Virgin they were very good, particularly with children. Son and girlfriend had booked flights with them for May, he doesn't think they'll get their money back now air travel has been halted for the time being. I personally haven't flown with them for a while, last long haul flights were with BA, don't like them either anymore.

RB, has always come across to me as a smarmy git with a tad too much of the false bonhomie, not to mention the omnipresent grin, can't he wipe it off, just occasionally, Michael O'Leary manages to look a miserable git suitably serious most of the time. Somehow the teeth ooze insincerity all on their own, plus he's always full of himself hmm

Our flights of late have been to Europe and we have been using EasyJet who have been excellent. Do hope they survive this crisis.

I feel very sorry for the Virgin staff asked to forego pay. Is RB so cocooned he thinks his staff have access to "family" money to keep them going shock

In the meantime, I'll join the club, another phobic flyer here.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 19-Mar-20 16:52:09

It is very telling that the list of essential workers doesn’t include a single one of the 1%

GagaJo Thu 19-Mar-20 16:52:13

Not to mention gorgeous EllanVannin.

notnecessarilywiser Thu 19-Mar-20 17:27:30

Just to clarify - the staff have been asked to take 8 weeks unpaid leave, but the deduction will be spread over six months. Difficult, but not as draconian as you suggest, OP

Daisydoes Thu 19-Mar-20 17:35:55

Shame on him. He could pay all of his staff for 6 weeks and not even notice the loss. Would probably just be interest anyway!
Have no love for easyJet, but heard him being interviewed on R4 this morning. They are legally obliged to payout and are looking for a loan, not tax payers money.
Apparently.?

silverlining48 Thu 19-Mar-20 17:36:46

Certainly RB is mega rich and could surely pay his staff half rate while they are laid off. No brownie points there then and as for asking for money to bail out his airline, words fail.

Urmstongran Thu 19-Mar-20 17:37:42

It is very telling that the list of essential workers doesn’t include a single one of the 1%

BRILLIANT Whitewave‼️

Richard Branson comes across as twinkly eyed and avuncular. I think he’s a hard headed businessman who through very tight legal deals holds the NHS to ransom. I’ve never met the man but I don’t like him. Greedy doesn’t begin to describe his character!

Callistemon Thu 19-Mar-20 17:41:46

Sticky fingers in many pies.

His cosmetics shops failed, didn't they?

silverlining48 Fri 20-Mar-20 10:45:41

I seem to remember most of his businesses are franchises.