RAIL staff working for Richard Branson have been told tattoos are taboo.
Also on the banned list are body-piercing, badge-wearing, over-colourful make-up and long nails.
The instructions to staff come in a brochure to coincide with the introduction of new uniforms this week for Virgin Rail's 3500 staff on the West Coast Main Line.
Employees have been told to cover up tattoos while working, remove any visible body piercing (although women's earrings are allowed), stick to neutral colours and subtle shades for make-up, wear black shoes, wash hands frequently and keep as clean as possible, with trimmed nails, and not to wear any badge apart from the Virgin Rail name badge.
The red and black uniforms include blouses and blazers for summer and zip-up jackets, caps and woolly hats for winter. Their introduction is costing the firm around #2m.
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