AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes draws flak for shirtless massage during work call
A shirtless Tony Fernandes, AirAsia CEO, getting a massage during a conference call. (Photo: LinkedIn/Tony Fernandes)
Air Asia's chief executive officer Tony Fernandes has drawn criticism after he posted a half-naked photo of himself getting a massage while participating in a conference call.
In a LinkedIn post on Monday (Oct 16), the low-cost airline boss posted a picture of himself, shirtless and sitting down, while a woman massages his left shoulder.
He wrote that it had been "a stressful week".
"Got to love Indonesia and AirAsia culture that I can have a massage and do a management meeting," he added. "We are making big progress and I have now finalised Capital A structure. Exciting days ahead. Proud of what we have built and never have lost sight of the finish."
The post has since been deleted from Mr Fernandes' LinkedIn account.
Reactions on social media were largely critical.
"How is it being shirtless with an image like this, while being in a management meeting called culture?" one user wrote on LinkedIn. "And why does he even find this acceptable to share?! It is appalling."
Another user said: "It's not the work culture that allowed him to get a massage (shirtless) during the meet, it's the leverage his position gave him being a CEO."
"I wonder if there was any woman in this management meeting!!" a user wrote.
Users on X, formerly known as Twitter, also weighed in, with one commenting that "some CEOs need to stay off LinkedIn".
"I’d feel so uncomfortable in that meeting," wrote another.
However, others expressed support. One LinkedIn user praised Mr Fernandes for "multitasking like a boss" in getting a massage and attending a work meeting at the same time.
"It's not a competition of who can showcase the most burnout badges," the user wrote. "Let's prioritise personal wellbeing like the rockstars we are and make time for that self-care symphony."
In response to the criticism, Mr Fernandes told news outlet Malaysiakini he was "sorry if anyone took offence".
He reiterated that it was a mini-management meeting and none of the staff present had objected to him getting a massage.
"One has to understand the work culture of our airline," said Mr Fernandes.
"I wanted to show (with the post) that we can multitask but it had been taken out of context."
