AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes Attended Virtual Meeting Shirtless, Drawing Mixed Reactions

We’ve heard of Work From Home (WFH), now get ready for Work From Massage.

That’s what Tony Fernandes, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Capital A Berhad, otherwise known as AirAsia, did—he attended a virtual management meeting shirtless while getting a massage. He even posted it on LinkedIn afterwards.

And you can bet your bottom dollar that this stint drew mixed reactions.

AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes Attended Virtual Management Meeting Shirtless While Getting a Massage

It’s no secret that LinkedIn is a strange place—you speak as if HR is constantly watching you, and you connect with people you’ve never heard of.

Yet, it gets even stranger.

On Monday (16 October), AirAsia’s CEO Tony Fernandes put up a post on LinkedIn that would stir mixed reactions from the LinkedIn community.

In the post, Fernandes wrote: “Was a stressful week and Veranita Yosephine suggested a massage. Got to love Indonesia and AirAsia culture that I can have a massage and do a management meeting.”

He also posted a photo of him attending the management meeting shirtless while getting a massage.

Imagine logging onto Zoom and seeing your boss shirtless—it sounds like something straight out of a satirical Wall Street movie.

The CEO 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 removed from Fernandes’ LinkedIn.

Two weeks ago, AirAsia and Citilink Indonesia joined hands in an interlining agreement for AirAsia’s “next phase of growth”.

It also appears that as the airline continues growing over the next few years, we can expect “many new exciting tie ups and symbiotic relationships” between the airline and other companies.

If attending a virtual management meeting shirtless is the way to do it, then sure, I guess.

Mixed Reactions from Online Community

While a handful of netizens complimented Fernandes on the open-minded culture he was perpetuating, many others criticised him for his lack of professionalism.

“You are clearly a smart leader that cares about culture but this isn’t the way to create a supportive, safe one,” one comment read.

Another LinkedIn user commented: “How is it being shirtless with an image like this, while being in a management meeting called culture?”

So, what’s your take on Fernandes’ actions? Is it cool, or is it plainly unprofessional?

And how would you react if your CEO attended a virtual management meeting like Fernandes?