Disney in soup over no-turban mandate

[remain seated please]

1) Yep.
2) They have been sued before for the same thing.
3) Disney has won every time.
4) In non-onstage jobs, people can wear religious dress.
5) When onstage, they must wear their costume.
6) Remember, it is NOT a uniform, it is a theatrical costume.

Actually, Disney refers to all of their employees as "castmembers", whether they are in the parks, hotels, Disney Stores, or any other division of the company. The term "costume" actually is the uniform worn by each "castmember". Disney uses showbiz terms all the time.

Here are a few of them;
On Stage - Any area on a Disney property where the public has access
Back Stage - Any "employee only" work area (non-public).
Guest - A patron who visits a Disney park, store or other facility.
Customer - A potential thief or shoplifter at a Disney retail establishment.
Intermission - When a "castmember" goes on a break or lunch.
Box Office - The cash register area where you pay for items.
Magic - Disney's name for customer service.
Pixie Dust - Another name for customer service.
Lobby - This is the area at the MK in front of the train station, before you go through the tunnels to Main Street.

I know there are many more, but these were a few that I remembered.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We'll see how far this "class action" suit gets. Not far, hopefully.

 

[RickinNYC]

I am sure he can make twice as much managing a 7-Eleven or driving a taxi. And since seeing someone in a turban is almost expected at those jobs, everyone gets along.

Wow. It's comments like this that make me shake my head in absolute wonder that someone still has this sort of mindset.

 

[JMD]

Those are jobs where, in my opinion, religious headware, whether a turban, a scarf, or a yamulke, would have no impact on the "show."

Disney obviously disagrees.


Their dress code for cast members is pretty extensive. Disney covers everything. Haircut, facial hair, jewelry, makeup, the length of your fingernails, and even your socks have to be the appropriate height.

This dresscode is a condition of your employment at Disney, and I see no problem with them enforcing it. Its the same reason you'll never see cast members with mohawks, visable tattoos or crazy piercings.

 

[caseymaureen]

Haha, hence the "in my opinion." I know that Disney feels differently, but I also know that exceptions are made in every day life in almost every other aspect of our lives when something is religiously mandated, from dress codes to work schedules. Mohawks or excessive tattoos are not quite religious. Things change, and I wouldn't be surprised if Disney starts honoring those differences.

 

[iuki]

The Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund (SALDEF), the oldest and largest Sikh-American civil rights and advocacy organization in the US has filed a class action suit against the Walt Disney World Company on behalf of Sukhbir Singh Channa.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ver_no-turban_mandate/articleshow/3124858.cms

So whatcha think??

There was not enough information in the article to make an informed opinion. A lot depends upon the position the person was applying for, and what kind of uniform or costume the position requires. For example, if there was an opening in an Aladdin arena, a turban would not be out of the ordinary. Then I would say that Disney was wrong - UNLESS - he would also have to be available to work in other areas of the park. Disney is in the entertainment industry. It is no different than a movie. The overall ambience is important for people to feel the experience.

No one knows the details of what actually occurred during the interview.

Unfortunately, people are always looking for a get-rich scheme. For all we know, the person could have "planned" it just to make a point and/or get some money in the process.

iuki

 

[DiszyDean]

Haha, hence the "in my opinion." I know that Disney feels differently, but I also know that exceptions are made in every day life in almost every other aspect of our lives when something is religiously mandated, from dress codes to work schedules. Mohawks or excessive tattoos are not quite religious. Things change, and I wouldn't be surprised if Disney starts honoring those differences.

I hope they never change the policy. I wouldn't be surprised if it never changes. There is no room at DisneyWorld for individual expression of religion where it affects the employers RIGHT to portray a certain image to the public. If your religion does not allow you to remove your turban to work and your employer will not let you wear it, you should look for employment elsewhere.

 

[remain seated please]

Haha, hence the "in my opinion." I know that Disney feels differently, but I also know that exceptions are made in every day life in almost every other aspect of our lives when something is religiously mandated, from dress codes to work schedules. Mohawks or excessive tattoos are not quite religious. Things change, and I wouldn't be surprised if Disney starts honoring those differences.

I hope they never change the policy. I wouldn't be surprised if it never changes. There is no room at DisneyWorld for individual expression of religion where it affects the employers RIGHT to portray a certain image to the public. If your religion does not allow you to remove your turban to work and your employer will not let you wear it, you should look for employment elsewhere.

In 2000, Disney changed a long standing policy regarding male Castmembers and facial hair. It used to be that men were not allowed to have facial hair of any kind. Only Walt Disney himself wore a mustache. Since 2000, male CM's could have mustaches (and I believe goatees) in some situations.

It takes them a very long time to do it, but sometimes Disney bends the rules.

As far as I know, women still are not allowed to have facial hair.

 

[drkforce]

Why doesn't he just request to play Jafar???

 

[DarbyB]

drkforce -

I just laughed out loud on this one... this post is definately going to disappear.

 

[mitros]

A lawsuit, eh? Looks like a simple money grab to me..........

 

[Luv2Roam]

Also from Local 6 news:

"Mr. Channa never sought re-employment for the 2006 Holiday season. His claim that he did, and was denied employment, is without merit," Disney said in a statement. "We value and respect diversity in our cast members and treat each request individually."


Needs some $, so grabbing for anything he can get? Maybe hoping for a nuisance settlement?

 

[mitros]

Anybody want to bet an over/under how may post it will take to get this tread locked?

Well, here we are, #33, and it's still going. I don't think anyone has posted anything that bad yet, so the thread lives on...........................

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

Aren't the employees called Cast Members, basically because their duties are considered being "on stage"? Because of such, Disney is in a position to control the look of the cast member, just like any other show on any other stage.

I agree ... if disney determines that a turban is NOT part of the "Disney Look" that they are going for ... as an employer they have every right to determine what is and what is not appropriate work attire. I work at an insurance company and my office is in the world head quarters building ... I am told what is and is not appropriate to wear to work and must adhere to the guidelines. This is no different!

 

[Lilolvr]

It's America, take it as it is or get out.

 

[mitros]

It's America, take it as it is or get out.

YES!

 

[ThurlFan]

It's America, take it as it is or get out.

Sounds like somebody put a lid on the melting pot...

 

[DancingBear]

It's America, take it as it is or get out.

Yeah, stop trying to exercise all of those stupid constitutional rights! And while you're at it, don't vote!

 

[Jenvenza]

Man, this is a tough one. I can see both sides. I have lots of tatoos, and I am pretty sure that Disney wouldnt hire me as Ariel based on that. They are going for a certain look, and some people dont match that. I can understand that.

And while I am not a very religious person, I can still see how if that is important to you, you might be upset that it isnt allowed in the dress code.

I really dont know where to go with this one.

 

[Justin the Hook]

I have a couple problems with this,

Lawyers always looking how to make a buck. They see a small opportunity and go for broke, one problem with america.

I can't go to work wearing shorts and t-shirt, that isn't a dress code for my job, and if Disney's dress code means clean cut short hair and no turbin on your head and you won't remove then you shouldn't work there.

Last all the attention the media is giving this non-case, this is why lawyers and some people feel they can get away with stuff like this. The media eats it up, and force feeds it to you like Disney is the bad guy.

Just a thought, all birg corporations go through this type of thing and unfortunately in America it has become common place.