Resorts Sikh sues WDW for not allowing turban

[Tom Morrow]

Sikh sues Walt Disney World for not allowing turban

Disney in soup over no-turban mandate Times of India 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. Channa, a Sikh-American, had applied for a job with Disney in September 2006 but was told that he could not be hired unless he removed his religiously-mandated turban. He was also told that he did not have "the Disney look". by Khushwant Singh complete article

Sent from Ezra

[#1DisneyFreak]

wow. I can't even think of anything else to say. How horrible is that... is Disney so afraid that people will be offended by a turban. have we really all gotten that sensitive?

Who is being overly "sensitive" here? Disney isn't giving a knee-jerk reaction to a religious practice... they are enforcing a dress code. The claimant is the one who is being overly sensitive, and is whining about absolutely nothing.

Please allow me to explain.

I really like my goatee a LOT, and I also love wearing some jewelry... but if I apply to a place to work, there are rules, regulations, and dress codes that company has in place, and if they aren't to my liking, I don't apply there. I've turned down jobs for exactly those reasons. I don't claim "cultural persecution". This is a total joke. I like my beard. If I want to work at Disney World, I would have to shave it. That's IT. Do you think they should change their rules if I suddenly claim that I am an Amish guy? No. It's called a dress code.

Guess what would be next... Let's say Disney is cool with the turban thing. Okay, then guess what? Prayer breaks will become necessary... or else another lawsuit will come, this time from an employee (because they were nice enough to hire him). Then when they say no and the person gets fired for erratic behavior, they will sue for persecution and discrimination. And then Disney will be deemed Anti-Sikh. It's all such childish, selfish behavior on this guy's part. He wants the world to revolve directly around him, and it's soooo stupid.

I think that Christians should be able to drag a wooden cross to their work station at Splash Mountain. How's that sound? Creepy? Keep following me... Okay, so they allow the giant wooden cross to be dragged in. Then the guy has to stop working and begin shrieking nonsense loudly (or what he would call, "speaking in tongues") at his work station whenever he feels the need to do so. Is that disruptive enough yet, or could he possibly need some more attention? You bet he could need more.. and more... and more...

What I am saying is, where do the rules of POLITICAL CORRECTNESS stop? Let me tell you something, Political Correctness is sooooo wrong. If people don't want to adhere to the company dress code, then they are out of there. Easy as that.

This case will be tossed immediately. It's like a person who feels that they HAVE to wear a Donald Duck costume 24-7 because they pray to Walt Disney getting mad and suing because Burger King wouldn't hire him. Please. The ACLU will even see that this is a huge waste of money, human resources and the court's time.

And as far as the "doesn't have the 'Disney look'" comment is worth... it's pretty much garbage, considering the source (the claimant). It's also very offensive, in that it implies that Disney wouldn't hire him because of his skin color, which is complete and utter defamation of the company, and is also absolutely ridiculous, considering the multiracial workforce that comprises the Disney company. They just don't hire... well... jerks. Sorry about the ad hominem comment there, but nothing else would fit.

Folks, watch for a new land speed record when this claimant (a very reserved word in this case) goes flying out of the courtroom doors....

PS- don't get me wrong... I would have to, of course, meet the guy at Burger King who insisted on dressing up like Donald Duck, lol (as long as he wasn't kneeling and wailing at the sky, or rolling around on the ground handling snakes and speaking in tongues).

[stevo505]

They really don't have to sue WDW just because of their dress code policies, but don't those people have to wear their turbans? Disney should have let them in because it's their religion and they have a right to wear it.

[BCC]

If you do not agree with their policies, then go find some other place to work with.

[Ezra]

I understand what you're saying, Hans, but I don't agree with some of your comparisons.

A christian is not required to drag around a giant wooden cross as part of her religion — If a christian chose to do so, it would be an optional expression of faith. Never cutting the hair and wearing it wrapped in a turban is an absolute requirement of the Sikh religion. You never see a Sikh man without a turban — never, unless he is lapsed.

By the way, employers do give prayer breaks to Islamic workers, albeit discreetly. They generally retreat to a place where they can be alone, quickly say the required prayer, and then return to work. If you're islamic, praying seven times a day isn't optional, it's also a requirement. It's not dun right there at the work station.

Snake handling and speaking in tongues generally only take place in the church, and really have nothing to do with employment.

---

That being said, does this man have a case ? ... probably not. He would have to clearly show that, aside from the turban issue, that he was unquestionably the best candidate for the job. That's quite a daunting task.

What was he applying for? Was it an on-stage position requiring a particular costume? Walt Disney World is a show. Casting decisions are at the sole disgretion of the asting director, who is going to cast the person who best looks and acts the part. So... Unless he was applying for something that's solely off-stage, then, no he shouldn't have been applying there.

The HR person who handled this should never have given a reason for not hiring this man, never. A simple "we chose someone else" is all that was needed.

[Jacob Morris]

Originally Posted by stevo505

They really don't have to sue WDW just because of their dress code policies, but don't those people have to wear their turbans? Disney should have let them in because it's their religion and they have a right to wear it.

Well think about it, EVERYTHING in the parks need to be themed properly, nothing can be out of place thats why Janitors at Disney World are not even seen, everything for them is done underground. The other thing that we need to think about is were did he apply, if it was a ride operator or something like that were you need a themed uniform then no Disney will not and should not let any exceptions, if it was something like a tram operator, or a character that wears a mask anyways then I am sure no one would care even Disney but if they are to appear in Disney fashion sorry but the headdress needs to go. And it was his choice to apply not Disney's and I am sure that when he applied that there was something he signed stating that you have to appear in character at all times this includes dress, attitude, grooming, if needed, walk style, signature style, and so on. (I've seen a Disneyland application and it is really like that in one of the clauses, once you are in character you have to do everything. Those princesses have to go through a month of training to learn how Bell walks, talks, and signs those autograph books.)

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Employer has a right to enforce whatever dress code he wishes. Don't like it, go work elsewhere. The end.

-- PMM

[AraBrokenDreamer]

A five minute break to go pray I understand. If this was a tech/backstage role, I'm with him, but yes, you people are for the most part correct: you can't be a visible cast member and wear a turban in WDW unless you're working a ride that's themed thusly. THat also said, it is a shame that his religion pretty much bars him from working there, but that is HIS choice to believe and adhere to it.

-Ara

[mousecrazy]

I agree that applying at a place such as DL or WDW you have to know that you are going to be required to wear a "costume". Maybe they would be more inclined to higher you, if you are tech or mechanic and work behind the scenes or after hours. I dont think they are discriminating based on religion. It is their policy plain and simple. People need to know where to pick their battles and for me imho this isnt one that is justified.

[kairamoon]

He has no case. Period. The end. I agree with Ezra though that it was simply a bad choice on the part of HR to give him reasons. They should probably fire the HR person and hire me on instead Let's see I give the part of Princess Aurora to me and Cinderella can be MC...

[barfownz]

Originally Posted by BCC

If you do not agree with their policies, then go find some other place to work with.

Exactly.

Disney should win this one. They have their own standard of a 'look'. its not the fear of anything. it is their standard and policies.

Go work at six flags if you want to wear a turban.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Go work at six flags if you want to wear a turban.

The turban wouldn't fly there either.

[#1DisneyFreak]

[quote=Mighty Unicorn;272253]Who is being overly "sensitive" here? Disney isn't giving a knee-jerk reaction to a religious practice... they are enforcing a dress code. The claimant is the one who is being overly sensitive, and is whining about absolutely nothing.

Please allow me to explain.


K that was really long, and that's not even what I meant haha. By sensitive, I meant Americans..would it really offend us to see a turban in the park and is that why Disney wouldn't allow it. A ride worker or visable cast member, I cna see how that wouldn't work because of the theme.Honestly, if they want to take 2 half hour prayer breaks during the day, that still won't add up to the 10-12 10 minute smoke breaks my coworkers take- but I too am tired of the political correctness. As for the "enforcing the dreess code part" tell that to the kids that let their pants sag down at Disneyland. I dont' need to see Disney boxers. I wasn't putting a political spin on this. They could have said k the turban is a religious thing, so how about a behind the scenes job...if he didn't want that, then fine, at least he had an option. Sorry to get you riled up.
PS I am sick of everyone suing everyone else so I'm not saying I agree with his case against WDW, I just think he should have had a shot at something there if he loves it like we do.... but I don't know the whole circumstance. As far as I know, maybe he knew that would happen and he was out for a quick buck. Who knows... (sorry if I wandered all over there, I took 4 phone calls in the middle of typing :) )