Resorts Sikh sues WDW for not allowing turban

[PeoplemoverMatt]

I meant Americans..would it really offend us to see a turban in the park and is that why Disney wouldn't allow it.

Irrelevant. And no, that's not why Disney doesn't allow it. One exception grows exponentially until the right of the employer to enforce any dress code rule is totally dead.

If I decide mohawks are awesome, do I have the right to demand my employer to make an exception to his no-mohawk dress code rule? Does a mohawk really offend anyone? Offense is irrelevant. The employer has every right to control his business. There are countless other employers to choose from, all with rules of their own, to choose from if one employer's rules are undesireable.

-- PMM

[jag107]

He can work the Aladdin's Magic Carpet attraction in Adventureland

[kairamoon]

But if you think mohawks are awesome and you're the employer can you put it in the dress code that everyone has to get one? Kind of irrelevant I know but it was a thought that popped into my head nonetheless lol

[Ezra]

Orlando Business Journal just released a new story with much more detail...

[Tom Morrow]

Disney sued over worker dress code

Disney sued over worker dress code Orlando Business Journal A Broward County resident has sued Walt Disney World, claiming he was discriminated against because his religion prevents him from conforming to the Disney dress code. Miami Attorney Matt Sarelson filed the suit in Hillsborough County Circuit Court on behalf of Sukhbir Channa. Channa, 24, is a practicing Sikh who wears a turban, a beard and keeps his hair long in accordance with his religious beliefs. In his suit, Channa says he was hired in October 2005 as a seasonal college musician, which requires parade and atmospheric performances. At the time, he was a student University of South Florida. In his parade performances, Channa says he wore a toy soldier hat to cover his head. In the atmospheric performances, he was initially allowed to wear a red turban in place of the red beret the other musicians wore. However, even after rehearsing for both jobs, the lawsuit claims Channa was removed from the atmospheric position because he lacked the "Disney look." According to the suit, Channa complained to human resources and was told he was never hired for the atmospheric position and no corrective action was ever taken. The suit also claims he was singled out to perform menial tasks for his supervisor. Channa was terminated in early 2006 for not having the "Disney look," the suit says, and when he applied to be rehired October 2006, he was denied for the same reason. According to the suit, all of Channa's former co-workers who wanted to be rehired were. The suit alleges that Disney is violating the Florida Civil Rights Act, and requests damages of at least $1 million and that the court enjoin Disney from discriminating against Sikh employees and prospective employees. A Disney spokeswoman said the company is reviewing the lawsuit.

Sent from Ezra

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Originally Posted by kairamoon

But if you think mohawks are awesome and you're the employer can you put it in the dress code that everyone has to get one? Kind of irrelevant I know but it was a thought that popped into my head nonetheless lol

Yes I can. If that's the look I want my employees to have, then I have every right to set that standard. At the same time, I shouldn't really be surprised if hardly anyone wants to work for me.

Disney has entertainment people and other CMs dress up in all sorts of costumes and looks all the time. This affects everything from facial features to hair to whatever else. That's one of the reasons this turban issue is silly. That guy shouldn't demand the Mad Hatter wear a turban because his religion demands he wear a turban. Same goes for the beard, long hair, etc.

This guy has no case. Disney's not rehiring him because he's a Sikh, they're not hiring him because he doesn't have the look they want. Tough nuggets pal. I'm too tall to wear the Mickey costume. Is Disney discriminating against height by dening me the chance to wear the Mickey costume? No. It's just another frivolous lawsuit wasting everyone's time, money, etc.

-- PMM

[Ezra]

Originally Posted by PeoplemoverMatt

I'm too tall to wear the Mickey costume. Is Disney discriminating against height by dening me the chance to wear the Mickey costume? No. It's just another frivolous lawsuit wasting everyone's time, money, etc.

I agree. You have to look the part or you aren't cast in the role. So saying, "Sorry, your looks are not what we're looking for," is like a casting director saying, "We're looking for someone (taller, shorter, fatter, thinner, lighter, darker, whatever-er)." there's nothing wrong there at all. So I tke back what I said about HR.

Also, if I'm reading this right... He rehearsed for both parade and "atmospheric" but was only actually used for parade... So basically, he's suing over losing a job he "trained for" but never actually started.

And, on top of that, he was hired "seasonal". I don't know about Walt Disney World, but where I work "seasonal" means you can be let go at any time depending upon the needs of the business.

It also says he was "singled out to perform menial tasks for his supervisor." I take that to mean that they went out of their way to find other work for this man. It sounds like they accomodated him as well as they possibly could... and now he's suing.

I was willing to consider the suit potentially valid, but after reading this, No! This sounds like Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund is pulling a publicity stunt. I guess it's working. I ran it...

[AraBrokenDreamer]

What you do to turn a buck... SALDEF (Good acronym, though, sounds like Sec Def or Sec Nav. "Get me Sal Def on the wire!" lol) saw the opportunity to get a big payout in a case (and I'm sure they get a part of it, too), and they took it.

-Ara

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Originally Posted by Ezra

This sounds like Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund is pulling a publicity stunt. I guess it's working. I ran it...

And of course a publicity stunt has that much more stinging (read: selling) power given the current hyper-sensitive climate of the culture today. They certainly knew that full well when they brought the suit.

[tomserwin]

As far as I am concerened, Disney does not owe him a job. If he chooses not to take off his turban then he chooses not to accept the job.

Disney has done nothing wrong. They have the right to say no. They said no. Enough said.

[lpetiti]

Originally Posted by Ezra

I agree. You have to look the part or you aren't cast in the role. So saying, "Sorry, your looks are not what we're looking for," is like a casting director saying, "We're looking for someone (taller, shorter, fatter, thinner, lighter, darker, whatever-er)." there's nothing wrong there at all. So I tke back what I said about HR.

Also, if I'm reading this right... He rehearsed for both parade and "atmospheric" but was only actually used for parade... So basically, he's suing over losing a job he "trained for" but never actually started.

And, on top of that, he was hired "seasonal". I don't know about Walt Disney World, but where I work "seasonal" means you can be let go at any time depending upon the needs of the business.

It also says he was "singled out to perform menial tasks for his supervisor." I take that to mean that they went out of their way to find other work for this man. It sounds like they accomodated him as well as they possibly could... and now he's suing.

I was willing to consider the suit potentially valid, but after reading this, No! This sounds like Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund is pulling a publicity stunt. I guess it's working. I ran it...

Yeah, I mean, do actors and actresses sue film companies because they don't get a part in the movie or sue a theatre company because they don't have the right look? No. As stated before, Disneyland is a show. It is not up to the applicant to decide whether or not the possible employer owes him a job; in fact, the employer owes him nothing. This guy is just a sore loser and is looking for a way to get back at Disney.

[OrcaGal]

There were no problems like this at Sea World, everyone was welcome to work with their headgear

[ryguy222]

^Now I'm not bashing Sea World, but they aren't as themed when it comes to Disney. Yes there parks are very nice. But Disney treats their parks as a stage, for a broadway play. Yes at seaworld, it wouldn't make too much of a difference, because at sea world, its just a place to have fun, and get entertained, they aren't trying to make you believe that your in some huge oasis in the past. Although the area around atlantis is very well themed. But at Disneyland there trying to make you believe your in the past, or the future in different places. Main Street for example. The dapper dans are strolling along, and one is wearing a turban. That doesn't really make you feel like your in an old American city. I'm not saying that people didn't wear turbans back then, but there really weren't many islamic people living in America during that time. Maybe there was, and maybe there wasn't. However it is, Disney has this idea as there type of town that they want, its a story that they are portraying, and they pay the dapper dans to tell the story, and immerse people so they actually think there in the past. Now as true as it may be, many don't think there in the past, but they do forget about things outside the park.
On the other hand, sea world pays their employees to be kind, courteous, helpful, and to do a certain job at the same time. Disney pays their cast to do all of that, while acting like they really are in a certain era, or time. People in Main street may seem old fashioned, but in real life they aren't. There just acting, as well as being courteous, kind, helpful, and if there job is selling shirts, or cutting out silhouettes then they are expected to do that as well. Disney just has one extra step that sea world doesn't, and there is nothing wrong with that. You can't compare DLR and Sea World. Now if Disney world told the man he can't enter the park then he has every right to sue, but if he is trying to get hired, he must find a place that will allow him to wear his turban. Perhaps he could work at sea world. :)

[OrcaGal]

^^ Good points. Here is another thought to buzz your mind with, What would Walt do? If he were in the employment offices, what do you honestly think he would do? Just curious, because I've read 3 bio's on him, and I do not know what he would do in this situation.