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kpete Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:10 AM
Original message
Muslim employee: Disney banned her head scarf
Source: Associated Press

Muslim employee: Disney banned her head scarf
AP


By GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press Writer Gillian Flaccus, Associated Press Writer – Thu Aug 19, 6:50 am ET

ANAHEIM, Calif. – A Muslim woman who works as a hostess at a Disneyland restaurant alleged Wednesday the theme park would not allow her to appear in front of customers while wearing her head scarf.

She said when she wore the hijab to work Sunday, her supervisors told her to remove it, work where customers couldn't see her, or go home.

Boudlal, who wore the scarf in observance of Ramadan, chose to go home but reported to work for the next two days and was told the same thing.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100819/ap_on_re_us/us_disneyland_muslim_worker
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WillParkinson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:12 AM
Response to Original message
1. How does Disney treat other symbols of faith during holidays?
If it's clear policy across the board I don't see much of a problem with it.

(Unless, of course, I'm not understanding something which usually seems to be the case.)
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Walk away Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:15 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. When my neighbor worked there she was told to remove her gold cross.
She also had to take her earrings off and adhere to a very strict dress code. No Jewish stars either.
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WillParkinson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:20 AM
Response to Reply #2
3. Then it's an across-the-board policy...
I don't find it discriminates against anyone in particular. Much ado about nothing.
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Lorien Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 01:42 PM
Response to Reply #3
27. Yep. I worked for them for many years
The requirements for hair, clothing, jewelry, etc. are very clear for "cast members". A headscarf would be an exception to the rules, and they don't do exceptions to the rules.
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 05:42 PM
Response to Reply #2
55. Even Third Party businesses have to adhere to Disney Dress Code rules
At the Virgin Megastore, for example, no visible tattoos, crazy hairstyles, black fingernail polish, etc.
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MurrayDelph Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:20 AM
Response to Reply #1
4. By definition, all customer-facing emloyees are "Cast Members"
and their wardrobe is a costume. As such, allowable variations are kept to a minimum.
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woodsprite Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 02:05 PM
Response to Reply #1
33. We were just there last month.
Their Christmas shop sure had a lot of ornaments that had more religious than 'Mickey' overtones. Of course, that's not in the park proper, but out in Downtown Disney.
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Turborama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:21 AM
Response to Original message
5. I'm getting a really bad feeling about the way all this is going
Edited on Thu Aug-19-10 11:21 AM by Turborama
The only way the Republicans can get back in power is if they make everyone frightened and full of hate. I know I could get accused of committing a crime under Godwin's law, but the similarities to what happened in Germany leading up to 1933 are getting stronger and stronger and it really spooks me out.
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defendandprotect Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 01:27 PM
Response to Reply #5
25. Rather, this ensures the religious and non-religious freedom of us all --
the "scarf" is a symbol of oppression of women --

And, no one's "exercise" of religion depends upon having their religious symbols

on display in public -- neither head scarves nor a nativity scene!
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Turborama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 02:01 PM
Response to Reply #25
31. I'm talking about the bigger picture "war on Islam" that Faux are engendering
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defendandprotect Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 02:10 PM
Response to Reply #31
34. Didn't W announce a "Crusade" when the attacks on Muslims began?
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Turborama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 02:12 PM
Response to Reply #34
35. Yep, and it all went downhill from there.
I think you'd find this discussion Sabrina and I had interesting: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8960115#8960286

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Javaman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 02:03 PM
Response to Reply #25
32. Yeah, I'm sure that was Disney's "reasoning"...
:eyes:
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defendandprotect Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 02:14 PM
Response to Reply #32
36. Disney's "reasoning" has to conform with our Constitution's reasoning . . .
Edited on Thu Aug-19-10 02:18 PM by defendandprotect

which is what I expressed --

However, here's some more from the article which suggests that Disneyland isn't

as opposed to the "scarf" as the particular scarf!


"Miss Boudlal has effectively understood that they're not interested in accommodating her request either in timing or good faith," said Ameena Qazi, an attorney from the Council on American-Islamic Relations who is consulting with Boudlal.

Disneyland spokeswoman Suzi Brown said Disney has a policy not to discriminate. The resort offered Boudlal a chance to work with the head covering away from customers while Disneyland tries to find a compromise that would allow Boudlal to cover her head in a way that fits with her hostess uniform, Brown said.

"Typically, somebody in an on-stage position like hers wouldn't wear something like that, that's not part of the costume," Brown said. "We were trying to accommodate her with a backstage position that would allow her to work. We gave her a couple of different options and she chose not to take those and to go home."

Boudlal, who is a native of Morocco, has worked at the Storyteller restaurant at the hotel for 2 1/2 years but only realized she could wear her hijab to work after studying for her U.S. citizenship exam in June, Qazi said.

She asked her supervisors if she could wear the scarf and was told they would consult with the corporate office, Qazi said. Boudlal didn't hear anything for two months and was then told she could wear a head scarf, but it had to be designed by Disneyland's costume department to comply with the Disney look, Qazi said.

She was fitted for a Disney-supplied head scarf but was not given a date when the garment would be finished and was told she couldn't wear her own hijab in the interim.

Boudlal wore her own hijab to work for the first time Sunday.

"After these two months and this complicated process, she decided to come forward," Qazi said. "She really wanted to be able to wear it on Ramadan."
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 05:51 PM
Response to Reply #36
58. Her case is dead in the water right there
She knew about it, she worked for years without it, and Disney is going against THEIR OWN RULES to accommodate her. And, this isn't a Constitutional issue, and to say it is is a huge stretch. To me, Disney, whom I personally hate as a corporate entity, bent over backward for her.

They should just transfer her to Morocco in EPCOT.
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 05:47 PM
Response to Reply #5
56. Good grief, you are overreacting -- this is DISNEY
The cast members have to adhere to VERY strict codes,and they know this when they are hired, and during several days of training. You can't wear crosses or Star of Davids, facial hair, colored nail polish, etc.
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Turborama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-24-10 02:29 AM
Response to Reply #56
73. Please see reply #31 n/t
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amandabeech Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-24-10 07:04 PM
Response to Reply #56
78. No more than one ring on each hand, either.
I had a friend who would've been right for Disney, except that he would have had to cut his hair and left off three of his five customary silver rings.

He couldn't live with it and he's now doing something different.

He's a real master at crowd control. You don't know that you're being controlled, which is the mark of the best.
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golfguru Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 05:54 PM
Response to Reply #5
61. The real haters are those who behead their helpless
captives. I hope the republicans do not stoop that level.
Beheading some one is the worst form of inhumanity I can
imagine. Daniel Pearl suffered that indignity at the hands
of Al Qaeda operative, I believe it was Sheikh Khalid Mohammed,
the so called master mind of 911.
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Turborama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-24-10 02:35 AM
Response to Reply #61
74. There are many kinds of "real haters". Bringing the beheading of Daniel Pearl into this discussion
Edited on Tue Aug-24-10 02:39 AM by Turborama
is inappropriate.

That's the second time in the past week I've seen his beheading used to prove some kind of sick point. I hope his family or friends don't visit DU.

It's becoming like a new sick and twisted version of Godwin's law.
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krabigirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 06:02 PM
Response to Reply #5
68. Yep, and it's not just here in the USA..it is the same or worse in many countries.
ie France..
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:21 AM
Response to Original message
6. Deleted message
Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
Turborama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:23 AM
Response to Original message
7. Have there ever been reports of this happening before? n/t
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onehandle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:30 AM
Response to Original message
8. Disney has a strict dress and grooming code. Always has. This 'breaking news' comes up...
Edited on Thu Aug-19-10 11:34 AM by onehandle
...about once a year. And like clockwork, DU freaks out about it about once a year.

My wife worked for them for a couple of years. She had to keep a tattoo covered.

If you agree to work for Disney, you are told up front about this policy several times during weeks of training.

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davidinalameda Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 01:13 PM
Response to Reply #8
21. a tattoo?
oh the humanity?

:sarcasm:

sorry

just wondering why this became an issue now? did the woman just start wearing it?

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petronius Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 05:59 PM
Response to Reply #21
42. The story I heard was that she'd worked there for a couple of years,
and started wearing the scarf this year for Ramadan. I worked at Disneyland years ago in high school and they were pretty strict then, which I assume hasn't changed. While I think she should be allowed to wear an unobtrusive scarf, I also think that anyone who's worked there more than a few months would know that it would get managerial attention, and should be discussed in advance rather than just showing up...
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davidinalameda Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-20-10 04:33 PM
Response to Reply #42
46. one would think
but some people are just looking for attention and for a fight

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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 05:53 PM
Response to Reply #21
59. Yes, she's worked there for over three years
Disney is even breaking their own rules to create a scarf for her that Corporate approved, but no, that wasn't good enough for her all of a sudden.
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JuniperLea Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:30 AM
Response to Original message
9. This is the kind of thing that an employee should bring up...
Edited on Thu Aug-19-10 11:30 AM by JuniperLea
When hired and presented with a written dress code. Most jobs at Disneyland are character jobs... even wait staff are required to adhere to some costume rules.

This doesn't smell right to me... I need more information.
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RaleighNCDUer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:46 AM
Response to Reply #9
13. From the way it reads, she doesn't have a problem with not wearing
a scarf, but during the holy days of Ramadan felt she needed to - just as many christians walk around with a cross on their foreheads between Ash Wednesday and Easter. I wonder if Disney disallows that.
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JuniperLea Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 12:14 PM
Response to Reply #13
17. I know for a fact they do...
As a long time theatre arts major in Los Angeles, I've known many, many people who have worked as "CAST MEMBERS" at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm... across the board, without exception, all employees are expected to don the uniform or costume they are assigned, with NO deviations. Even makeup has a standard.

Tempest in a teapot, this is.
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 05:56 PM
Response to Reply #17
63. As I said upthread, even Third Party employees do
Like at House of Blues, Virgin, etc.

At Virgin, Disney Standards walks around and writes up the business if "improper" CDs or videos are displayed or shown, or if staff members have black nail polish, etc. They have been known to start pulling product off the shelves.
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davidinalameda Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 01:14 PM
Response to Reply #13
22. I have yet to see anyone wear a cross on their forehead for the entire period of Lent
on Ash Wednesday yes but not for the other 39 days

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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 06:06 PM
Response to Reply #22
71. You just made me laugh
Most people I know will even clean the ash off after they go to Mass, if they have client meetings.
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amandabeech Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-24-10 07:18 PM
Response to Reply #13
79. Christians do not walk around from Ash Wednesday to Easter with the ash cross on their foreheads.
Roman Catholics and some other demoninations wear the ash cross only on Ash Wednesday.

Many, many Protestants don't wear the cross as it is either optional or just not done, as in being not part of the deal. In that group are Presbyterians, Methodists, UCC (including Congregational), Baptists (reasonable and Southern), and some Lutherans.

Obama is UCC and you didn't see him walking around with the cross last year or this. I don't know which Protestant denomination counts Michelle Obama as an actual member, although she did attent the UCC services with her husband (Protestants sometimes aren't really fussy about it--my home town still has a joint Methodist-Congregational UCC vacation bible school). Bush didn't do it either. He was raised Episcopalian, but seems to have gravitated to the Methodists. Mrs. Bush is a Methodist. Clinton is a Southern Baptist, as were Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter when they were in the White House. Sec. Hillary Clinton is a Methodist.

I have never seen anyone walk around with the cross on their foreheads for weeks, including a very Catholic boss that I had for three years. He was a good guy, BTW, and was a credit to his faith even though he was adamantly anti-abortion. He only had three kids, all girls, so I think that he parted ways with the Pope on contraception.

I cannot imagine that he is reading DU, but if he or his kids are, "HI Chris, I'm still a big fan!"





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superconnected Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:32 AM
Response to Original message
10. Don't bring your religion to work.
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Taverner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:42 AM
Response to Reply #10
12. +100000000
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 12:15 PM
Response to Reply #10
18. Don't bring your bigotry to work.
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superconnected Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 01:21 PM
Response to Reply #18
24. Excuse me? Have you ever held a job? Dress codes are normal.
Edited on Thu Aug-19-10 01:22 PM by superconnected
It's not bigotry to ask people not to say... - wear Republican or Dem buttons, crosses, Ohm symbols, etc, especially when the job includes working with the public. Why should someone be able to wear a religious head scarf? What next, you want people to wear full burka's?

I mean get real. That woman needs to quit if she has religious objects to the dress codes. Religion belongs in her home, not at her work. I don't put statues of Buddha in my office and I certainly don't expect to get emails that end in - "God Bless You". I don't want to know others religions at my work. Only and idiot would consider that bigotry.
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 01:56 PM
Response to Reply #24
29. Is there a good reason for the employer to ask the woman to remove her hijab?
Is it interfering in her work in any way? No? Then a non-bigoted employer would make reasonable concessions.
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superconnected Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 01:59 PM
Response to Reply #29
30. Wrong, if she works with the public then it's making a statement representing Disney that
they probably don't want. She may as well have put a support Obama button on or a Cross.
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MikeW Donating Member (554 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 05:38 PM
Response to Reply #29
54. her employer sets the dress code on their property.
Edited on Mon Aug-23-10 05:54 PM by MikeW
if she doesn't like it she can work somewhere else.

There are jobs like that in the world, I had one no visible tattoos (problem for me) so I selected the long sleeve company shirts.

There are lots of companies that have similar or even more stringent policies.

She knew when she took the job that Disney has EXTREMELY tight dress and appearance regulations ... hell they even mandate you smile as well.
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 05:54 PM
Response to Reply #54
60. And, Disney is upfront about it
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golfguru Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 05:58 PM
Response to Reply #29
64. Employer is the BOSS in case you don't know
Employee is NOT the boss!
Boss can dictate any dress code.
So long as it is across the board for ALL employees,
it is perfectly legal and acceptable.
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Skip Intro Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 02:43 PM
Response to Reply #10
37. +1000000 more! nt
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golfguru Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 05:56 PM
Response to Reply #10
62. Touche n/t
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txlibdem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:34 AM
Response to Original message
11. I walked into my local bank (the same one I go to for years), had to remove my hat and dark glasses
Why it's like the bank was discriminating against me, removing my ability to wear items of clothing that would make it super easy for me to obscure my identity, so that I cannot be captured on the cameras. This is a travesty! I don't care that Dallas is number one in bank robbery. My rights are the most important thing. Your rights do not matter. The bank's right to not be robbed does not matter. Only my rights matter.

I also believe that I have the right to wear clothing that makes it exceptionally easy to hide many concealed weapons on my person. Why does your right to not be shot trump my right to wear whatever I want?!?

:sarcasm: (just in case you didn't realize)
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golfguru Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 06:00 PM
Response to Reply #11
66. Next time I will try wearing a ski-mask in my bank
Edited on Mon Aug-23-10 06:00 PM by golfguru
and see what happens :rofl:
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Exultant Democracy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 11:52 AM
Response to Original message
14. you can't wear a lot of things if you work for Disney. They have been renowned for
their strict dress code for as long as I remember.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 01:45 PM
Response to Reply #14
28. The same is true at most theme parks and other commercial public attractions
Edited on Thu Aug-19-10 01:45 PM by slackmaster
I have a friend who could not get hired as a bartender at the San Diego Zoo because she had a very small but visible tattoo on her arm.

Sea World is infamous for its strict dress and grooming code.
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PatSeg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 12:03 PM
Response to Original message
15. Most places I've worked
had a dress code, especially if the employee was dealing with the public. Disney's actions are perfectly reasonable.
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MindPilot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 12:04 PM
Response to Original message
16. My workplace requires that I wear pants.
I explained to my HR rep that the FSM gets kind of upset when my noodly appendage is covered, especially during the sacred time of Top Ramen, but she said I had to follow the rules regardless of my religious beliefs.
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guitar man Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 07:45 PM
Response to Reply #16
45. !!!
:rofl: :spray:
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kestrel91316 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 12:26 PM
Response to Original message
19. Disney employees are "cast members" who are expected to stay IN COSTUME
while on the job. Unless she has been told that her hijab IS a part of her required costume, it's not permissible.

Disneyland is like being inside a theater production.
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mike r Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 12:31 PM
Response to Original message
20. Whatever happened to the $1M lawsuit by a Sikh wanting to wear a turban?
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/article628366.ece

A former University of South Florida student sued Walt Disney World, claiming the theme park discriminated against him because of his Sikh headdress. Sukhbir Channa, 24, claims that Disney discriminated against him because he did not conform to the "Disney look." Channa, a practicing Sikh, wears a dastaar, a turban required by his religion. "From my perspective as a Jew, what if this policy was being used to discriminate against an Orthodox Jew or someone wearing a yarmulke?" asked Matt Sarelson, the Miami attorney representing Channa. "I'd be offended."

Channa was hired by Disney in October 2005 as a trumpet player for the Disney Christmas celebration, according to his lawsuit, which was filed Thursday in Hillsborough County Circuit Court. Channa had two responsibilities, "parade" and "atmospheric," the lawsuit explained. During the parade, he wore a toy soldier costume that entirely covered his head. For the atmospheric position, where musicians typically wear red berets, Channa agreed to wear a red turban.

Channa claims that his supervisor later removed him from the atmospheric position because he lacked the "Disney look." The company then fired him in early 2006. The following year, Channa reapplied, the lawsuit claims. His former supervisor said he was an excellent musician, and right for the job, but still had the "look problem." Walt Disney denies Channa's claims.

Channa is seeking $1 million in punitive damages.
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onehandle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 01:19 PM
Response to Reply #20
23. I would imagine he lost. Or else we would have heard about it. nt
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 04:21 PM
Response to Reply #20
39. I heard they compromised and gave the man a job as an usher at one of the outdoor rides
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kiapolo Donating Member (52 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 05:23 PM
Response to Reply #39
40. They tried to compromise...
Disney tried to compromise. FTA: "The resort offered Boudlal a chance to work with the head covering away from customers while Disneyland tries to find a compromise that would allow Boudlal to cover her head in a way that fits with her hostess uniform, Brown said."

This woman chose not to allow her employer to make any reasonable accommodations for her, and sued away.
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tomm2thumbs Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 02:08 PM
Response to Reply #40
51. I agree. If she was acting in a movie, would she demand her head scarf be in the film?

To be frank, Disney has always 'cast' ALL their public roles at the park as one does in a movie. This is well known and has been around since the beginning of their organization, which indeed started in motion pictures. If they have a uniform or costume that goes with that role, they are saying she needs to abide by their code of dress, or at least work within the framework of the other roles they offer that fit her particular needs. Apparently she chose not to. She has every right to challenge it.

However, if she were hired to act in a movie, would she demand that the production let her wear a head covering even if the role did not have that costume? A 50's beach movie? A period piece about the 20's in Hollywood? This is not to be sarcastic, but to Disney, those who work in the public roles at the park are actors and they cast them for that purpose. Will she just get a settlement or will this go to court? Well, I guess we'll find out. Disney has a great legal team which has no doubt looked at this from all angles & they would likely not have let this get this far in the public if they didn't think they had strong legal grounds.

From what I see, they attempted to accommodate her on many levels, including what appears to be an option which allowed her to cover her head within the context of an actors costume they provided, and I believe Disney will win this.



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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 05:59 PM
Response to Reply #51
65. THAT is an excellent analogy
Even fast food cashiers are CAST members. Everyone is.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 01:29 PM
Response to Original message
26. I have to wear dress shirts at work every day
I hate wearing them.

At least they don't make me wear a stupid tie.
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OneAngryDemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 02:45 PM
Response to Original message
38. Its a Small World After All
it's a world of laughter, a world or tears
its a world of hopes, its a world of fear
theres so much that we share
that its time we're aware
its a small world after all

CHORUS:
its a small world after all
its a small world after all
its a small world after all
its a small, small world

There is just one moon and one golden sun
And a smile means friendship to everyone.
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small small world
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eowyn_of_rohan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 06:19 PM
Response to Reply #38
44. lol - you beat me to it
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alp227 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 05:26 PM
Response to Original message
41. It's the 21st frickin century. Why is this still a big deal?
I posted this http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=226x7784">story on Civil Liberties last night. Disney shouldn't have made such a big fuss over her headscarf. A complete face cover (niqab) on the other hand crosses the line though in my view.
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MikeW Donating Member (554 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 06:04 PM
Response to Reply #41
70. they have a strict dress code, she knew it, was informed, she chose to violate it
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eowyn_of_rohan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-19-10 06:19 PM
Response to Original message
43. Waaait a minute-- What about It's A Small World?
...after all. Don't some of the little mideast characters wear headscarves in that attraction?
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amandabeech Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-24-10 07:28 PM
Response to Reply #43
80. The little mideastern characters (who are not human) wear their middle eastern COSTUMES
which come with head coverings.

The costume for this lady's job does not now come with a head covering.

The plaintiff's interpretation of the First Amendment from her citizenship classes is inaccurate and very simplistic. The First Amendment does not always overrule dress codes at work.

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fascisthunter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-20-10 05:16 PM
Response to Original message
47. hmmmmm
Edited on Fri Aug-20-10 05:17 PM by fascisthunter
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Chicago dyke Donating Member (127 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-20-10 07:57 PM
Response to Original message
48. defending religion's, and corporations' right to tell us all how to live
and act. wow, how "progressive."


sigh. this country is doomed. the most liberal website on the internet, and we're busy debating whether conforming to corporate dress rules or misogynist superstition is "better."

i don't give a crap if you want to paint yourself blue, cover yourself in burlap, dress in a hair shirt, etc. because of your religion. the idea that someone's religious dress is "offensive" is as stupid as the idea that a community center two blocks away from the TT site is "offensive." if you don't like what someone else is wearing, don't fucking wear it. "turn your eyes" if it's that hard for you to deal with, that's not hard.

at the same time, wow! i guess we're all just happy slaves to our corporate masters, aren't we? i mean, they gave her a job and all, shouldn't she just be eternally grateful and do whatever they tell her, no matter how deeply that violates her own most important beliefs, or has nothing to do with her ability to perform her job? i mean, after all, it's the uniforms that make people go to disneyland, right? not the rides, cartoons, stuffed animals you can buy... not.

i grok that sometimes, dress codes are important, for *safety* reasons. a construction worker should wear a hard hat, a nurse should wear a mask, etc. but i am the only one here who remembers the outcry when "casual fridays" were coming into style in some places? "it's the end of productivity!" "American business can't compete unless everyone wears a suit and tie every day!" etc. guess what? men started wearing brown pants and shirts without buttons, and our economy didn't collapse.

wearing a scarf on her head to honor a make believe sky fairy in no way impedes her ability to do her job. Disney, while being "fair" in banning all personal religious expression, is basically saying "we own your ass for the duration of while you're on the the job here" and it saddens me to see so many people basically agreeing with that. but then again, corporations have ruled the american mind, heart and political landscape for a long time. even among liberals. after all, we're all so grateful to have a job (assuming we have one) and it's so important we never do anything to challenge the notion that some corporate bean counting asshole gets to make up ridiculous rules for us at will. meh.

and for the record: i'm an atheist and i think the headscarf/niqab/hijab and other covers for the female body are misogynist and not actually rooted in specifically islamic tradition, but instead cultural traditions from patriarchal cultures that later adopted islam. and just plain stupid. if "god" damns me for showing my head in public, i don't want to be in heaven anyway. if he wanted me covered, he'd have made all females born with long fur, or something.

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superconnected Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-21-10 01:26 AM
Response to Reply #48
50. Have you tried living without a job?
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Chicago dyke Donating Member (127 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-24-10 04:05 AM
Response to Reply #50
75. what does that have to do with any point i just raised?
again, my complaint is that people rush to defend corporations as if they have the moral and ethical right to force workers to conform to standards that have nothing to do with the performance of the job itself, just because they can. how is that different than slavery? do you think religious freedom of expression is important? an essential element of a truly free society? just because you work for someone doesn't mean they get to tell you how to live your life in every respect... or at least, it shouldn't. like i said, do you really think someone would not go to disney land because some of the employees look and dress a little different, with personal touches like a cross or head scarf or pagan symbol on an ear ring? seriously, how silly is that? people go to d-world to see shows, buy stuffed animals, and ride rides. i seriously doubt that many people could tell you what the person who loaded their kid on the ferris wheel was wearing.

but please, continue to assume you know about my employment history, or that that has anything to do with my point. /eye roll emoticon/
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Phil The Cat Donating Member (211 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-24-10 03:08 PM
Response to Reply #75
77. WOW! What a dilemna!
One the one hand, respect for individuality and self expression! And throw in some good old fashioned "Screw the Corporates!"

On the other hand, respect for the idea that when someone is paying you for something or to do something, and you agree without coersion and take their money, you need to give them what they are asking! Disney Corp. being a corporate entitity, as opposed to a single individual, does not change that obligation!

As f-ed up as Disney may be in their sugary-sweet pop culture, they have not been singling her out! It sounds like they are searching for an accomodation that doesn't open the floodgates!

Think about it! If someone who was hired to play Dumbo at the park decided that elephants are a symbol of our Republican overlords, and no longer wants to wear the costume, should Disney be forced to pay them to walk around in Jeans and a "Buck Fush" T-shirt? After all, they can still walk around! They can still pretend to like the little ones and make exaggerated gestures and act like an idiot!

She was hired for more than just walking people to their tables! She was hired to be part of the experience, and her uniform (in their words, "costume") is part of that experience!

(OK...confession time...Right or wrong, I feel more confident in well groomed people in professional or "classy" situations! Not that "bumming" it is a sign of incompetence, but it feels like a lack of commitment and attention to detail!)
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 06:04 PM
Response to Reply #48
69. Not the same thing at all
You work in a law firm, you know you can't wear flip flops and shorts. You work as a lifeguard, you can't say wearing a bathing suit is sexist or too revealing. You work at any of the Disney parks? You are considered an actor, even if you're flipping burgers. She knew it, agreed to it, worked there for several years with no problem.

I am very pro labor and anti bigotry. This is not a labor or bigotry issue, nor a Constitutional issue.
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SoCalDemGrrl Donating Member (786 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-21-10 01:20 AM
Response to Original message
49. Why after working there for 2 years did she just decide to wear the scarf?
Who is putting her up to this before the mid term elections??

When I read the article that is what was glaring - "after spending 2 years working at the job, she decided on last Sunday to don the head scarf"............
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 06:01 PM
Response to Reply #49
67. Uh huh, and after Disney is MAKING HER A SCARF THAT ADHERES TO STANDARDS
She decided she didn't want to wait.

Very weird.
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Nihil Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-24-10 07:09 AM
Response to Reply #49
76. Maybe she needed more money so decided a court case would help?
Maybe, as you say, someone offered a "donation" if she'd "stand up for
her rights" in the run-up to the mid-terms?

Maybe she is just too stupid to realise that she hasn't got a leg to
stand on?

:shrug:
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activa8tr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 03:47 PM
Response to Original message
52. Let's make sure America defends the interests of the Corporation over
Edited on Mon Aug-23-10 03:52 PM by activa8tr
the interests of individuals to faithfully practice their religion.

She's a hostess in a restaurant, for goodness sakes. She's not Minnie Mouse!

Picture what she wanted to wear, and what Disney would have required.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/23/disney-hijab-controversy-_n_691368.html
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Xolodno Donating Member (310 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 04:52 PM
Response to Original message
53. Oh good grief Charlie Brow....errr...Mickey Mouse.
I worked for Disney while in college....they have always been knock down, no exception, tough cookie if you don't like it on their dress code...hell, not just that, they have signs before you get "on stage" (in public) to remember to smile. Yes you read that correctly, you have to be smiling while you work.

Seemed like there was always something in the news every once in awhile about how someone wanted to uphold/demonstrate their faith, they sued...went to court....lost....Disney fired them....union stayed a mile away from the issue.

Hell, even before you start working they tell you they are hard asses....in the "Disney way"...they make no exceptions to the rules.
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golfguru Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-23-10 05:50 PM
Response to Original message
57. Employers can set any dress code they want
If you don't like the dress code, you can always find another job.
So long as dress code applies to ALL EMPLOYEES, there is no basis
for calling it discrimination.
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classysassy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-24-10 02:07 AM
Response to Original message
72. Screw that mouse and the duck he rode in on.
Never really liked any thing about Dizzyland.
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