E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Jae C. Hong / AP file
Imane Boudlal, right, covers her face as she leaves Disney's Grand Californian Hotel with civil rights coordinator for the Council on American Islamic Relations Affad Shaikh, left, in Anaheim, Calif. on Aug. 18, 2010.
Updated at 8 p.m. ET: A former Disney employee on Monday sued the California-based entertainment giant, charging harassment and religious discrimination against her based on her Muslim religion and ethnic origins in North Africa.
A Disney spokesman said the company tried to accommodate the religious beliefs of Imane Boudlal, but that the restaurant hostess rejected their efforts at compromise and quit coming to work.
Boudlal, a 28-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Morocco, started working at the Storytellers Café, a restaurant at the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa in the Disneyland Resort, in April of 2008. She alleges in a lawsuit filed in federal court that management failed to address persistent racial and religious harassment from fellow workers and that it refused to accommodate her wish to wear a traditional Muslim headscarf or "hijab" at work, a dispute that ultimately led to her departure in 2010.
"Disneyland calls itself the happiest place on Earth, but I faced harassment as soon as I started working there," said Boudlal in the complaint filed in California Central District Court in Los Angeles. "It only got worse when I decided to wear a hijab. My journey towards wearing it couldn’t have been more American; it began at my naturalization ceremony. I realized that I had the freedom to be who I want and freely practice my religion."
In Islam, the hijab is an expression of a commitment to modesty and virtue by women, and those who choose to wear it typically do so at all times outside the home.
Boudlal worked as a hostess in the Disney restaurant — greeting and seating patrons.
Like other front-line employees and Disney cast members, she wore a uniform specifically designed for that position at Disney — in this case a long sleeved white shirt and western-style vest that are intended to evoke America at the turn of the 19th century.
Disney
Illustration of a head covering in lieu of a hijab that Disney representatives say was proposed to go with the Boudlal's uniform at Storytellers Cafe, a restaurant at its Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.
In 2010, after two years working at the restaurant, she requested permission to also wear her headscarf, a function of her growing religious conviction.
However, managers argued that the headscarf violated the restaurant's "look" policy, and could negatively affect the experience of diners, according to the complaint, drafted with the assistance of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.
Suzi Brown, director of media relations for Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, released a statement on the allegations:
"Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has a history of accommodating religious requests from cast members of all faiths. We presented Ms. Boudlal with multiple options to accommodate her religious beliefs, as well as offered her several roles that would have allowed her to wear her own hijab. Unfortunately, she rejected all of our efforts and has since refused to come to work."
The lawsuit alleges that her managers did not address her complaints of harassment by other employees, who she says taunted her with names including "camel," "terrorist" and "Kunta Kinte," a reference to the slave in the 1976 book "Roots," by Alex Haley, that later became a television miniseries.
"In fact, the 'look' policy was loosely enforced in the restaurant, withseveral employees sporting tattoos, jewelry or hairstyles in violation. Christian employees were allowed to work with marked foreheads on Ash Wednesday, in spite of the fact that this, too, goes against the stated policy," the complaint says.
Boudlal said Disney refused her efforts to compromise, such as offering to wear a scarf to match the work uniform.
Among the proposals that Disney made were several different specially designed headcoverings for Boudlal.
Disney's Brown sent an image of one of these proposed garments — which she said was the third effort to meet the employee's religious needs and the company's 'look' policy before Boudlal "refused to come to work."
The other option for Boudlal was to work in behind-the-scenes positions, out of sight of diners.
Boudlal refused these options, considering them unfair and humiliating, according to the complaint.
"This is modern day Jim Crow," said Anne Richardson, a Los Angeles attorney who represents Boudlal. "Muslims who want to express their religion by wearing a headscarf have to work in the back, out of sight."
Watch the most-viewed videos on NBCNews.com
Speaking to NBC News by phone on Monday, Boudlal said that after leaving Disney she was fired from another job after her manager learned of her dispute with Anaheim-based Disney through an Internet search.
Thus, she has suffered loss of income, as well as depression and anxiety, said ACLU-SC attorney Mark Rosenbaum in the complaint calling for a jury trial.
"There has been real emotional suffering here," he said Monday. Rosenbaum declined to specify damages sought on Boudlal’s behalf.
In addition, Rosenbaum said the suit aims to force a change in Disney’s policies.
"You never see anyone working there wear a hijab," he said. "We want those practices changed, and want training for employees and managers. It’s about getting Disney to change its policies and practices."
In a separate case in 2010, American Muslim Noor Abdullah was told she could not wear the hijab while working as a vacation planner at a Disney Resort Esplanade ticket booth, and she declined to take a job out of view of the public where the hijab was allowed, according to a report by NBC San Diego.
Ultimately, Disney worked with Abdullah to create a head covering that met her religious needs and the requirements of the public position, the report said.
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Big debt threatens security clearance for troops
- Wife of former congressman dies after being run over by her own car
- Report: Ex-Navy sub commander faked death to get out of affair
- Evangelist Billy Graham 'doing fine' at hospital
- Family: Cops didn't have to shoot knife-wielding man near Times Square
- Video: Multiple cameras show man driving wrong way
Follow US News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
Why should it be a problem for her to wear her hijab? It so stupid for anyone to be harassed for something like that. It's 2012 people, and Christianity is not the only religion in the world. (P.S. IT NEVER HAS BEEN!)
I agree completely, Rock. So many people cry religious freedom if someone tries to make contraception available to all women, but have no issue squelching others' religious freedom if the religion isn't Christianity.
Is anyone tired of foreigners coming to America and then trying to change our culture to suit their own needs. I am reminded of an old saying, when in Rome do as the Romans. I am sorry, we do not need a change in this case. The woman needs to understand that work place rules are in place for a reason. She works for them, not the other way around. Buy her a plane ticket back to where she came from, and then she can ware her Hijab anytime she wants too.
Oh wow, are you right on, Rock! What a comment! Just amazing!!
How dare any organization in America tell it's employees how to dress.
Dress codes for any private or public entity must go, now!
(P.S. Christianity isn't just another religion. It is the truth.)
Lol. No, it's just another faerie tale. The way you feel about Zeus is how we feel about jebus.
Whatever, equal treatment. Either enforce the dress policy on everyone, or let her wear the scarf.
@Herald9
It's the truth as you perceive it. Not necessarily everybody does.
@EngEsq
Regardless of how you may feel about it, you should show respect to Christians by spelling the name of the messiah properly. It's J-e-s-u-s.
And, now, about the article: The place is a Western-theme restaurant. I don't ever recall seeing women in the old west wearing hajibs. So having someone wearing one would look out of place in that atmosphere. She said they offered her a job where she wouldn't be around the public so she could wear her hajib and she thought those jobs were beneath her. News flash: She doesn't have a lawsuit. If she wants to wear her hajib and work in among the public while wearing it, she should work in a Muslim-themed restaurant. I'm sure she could find one in the Anaheim area. Either that or she needs to go back to North Africa.
We have the same problem up here in Canada. The foreigners figure just because that is the "way" in their country it should be here also. It is time that the people that enter our countries realize that, this is not Europe, Eastern Europe, India, etc. and when you are in "our country, you abide by our laws, rules, and constitution. It is time we stand up for our countries and not theirs!!!!!!!!!
.
EngEsq,
Maybe you should read the article again. It apprears the dress code already applied equally to everyone, until Imane Boudlal decided not to follow it but wear whatever the hell she wanted to wear.
Suddenly she decided she didn't have to follow the same rules as everyone else, so she is suing and after getting fired she makes accusations about harrassment at work?????
Sounds suspicious to me.
Actually, a company doing business in the US can't just decide to set its own standards about what employees can and can not wear. She was not in a position as a costumed performer, she was a host at a restaurant. This would be no different than requiring all employees to wear a cross, a star of David or any other religious symbol.
The prohibition against religious discrimination is required whenever a company can accomodate the religious requirements without excessive cost and the requirement does not present an excessive burden to the company. In this case, it was simply that the racist white people working there and managing decided to hassle this young woman.
Shame on Disney for allowing this to happen. Their management team should know better.
'dirp',
Yes they can...and often do. The Disney Company makes no bones about their dress policies when you apply. They even have one for it's parks patrons.
Couple of examples:
Male employees at Disneyland are not allowed to have facial hair and will be fired for it, after being disciplined. All employees who dye their hair outrageous colors such as green, the same.
You can Google it and find their policies, I don't nor have I ever worked there, still know this, so I'm positive this women was informed about their dress code when she was hired. I think she's looking for a payout.
People have been fired from numerous jobs for behaviors that have nothing to do with work and behaviors that were done on 'their' own, off company hours, time. Happens all the time...
It's been my understanding, from several people I know who work for them, that they are a great company to work for, but they have very very very strict rules referring to employee dress and conduct, on the job and off. Which is the main reason I'd never work for them, or been attempted to apply.
@ Dirp
Sounds to me like she was a performer based on the above quotes from the article.
Have you ever been to the Disneyland Resort ? There are people from all walks of life. All colors, all nationalities. Chances are high her managers were from any number of those races and creeds. And you want to make a racist statement like this ........
" it was simply that the racist white people working there and managing decided to hassle this young woman."
How do you know they were white ? They could have been your color, what ever that is. You should be ashamed of your racist comment.
There's a fine line between "mythology" and "religion". Do you think the ancient Greeks thought any less of their Gods than modern Christians think of God or Jesus? No, at the time, they saw their Gods as the truth. We look back on the stories of the gods now and see them as so patently unbelievable as to call them mythology.
In 2000 more years, humanity, if it's still around, may be remembering our era as a time when their forebears believed in the Abrahamic mythology (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) with several smaller mythologies also popular in the world.
Ms Boudlal was working in a place where people wear costumes. Nobody in 19th century Old West wore hijabs. Whereas, some people DID wear tattoos and piercings (though admittedly not quite as bizarrely as people do in the 21st century). Nevertheless, if she had to dress as Snow White, she couldn't wear the hijab. Nor does Mickey wear one. It sounds to me as though Disney (who I do not particularly like) went out of their way to accommodate her. Why couldn't she wear the recommended head gear that Disney developed just for her? It was equally modest.
However she may have been taunted, by the ignorant, for being Muslim or even a person of color, Ms Boudlal seems remarkably inflexible. Inability to compromise appears to be a sign of the times. Nevertheless, failure to do so does not indicate a heightened spirituality, but rather a tendency to foolish intransigence.
[IRONY ALERT!]
Welcome to America. Call in the lawyers. "I can't deal with my life by myself!"
Aaaaarrrrrggggh.
EngEsq,
I agree. Either enforce the rules on all completely, or let things slide. Fairly simple.
Ginger Holm,
lol, perhaps YOU should read the article again:
"In fact, the 'look' policy was loosely enforced in the restaurant, withs everal employees sporting tattoos, jewelry or hairstyles in violation. Christian employees were allowed to work with marked foreheads on Ash Wednesday, in spite of the fact that this, too, goes against the stated policy," the complaint says.
Excellent selective reading.
First of all, this is America. Don't try to come here from another country and push that culture on me. ( I know that this is not the case, but I am getting tired of it) Second if you work for a company that has a dress code you have to follow it or not work there. She thinks what she went thru was bad, I worked at a hospital that had a dress code that stated the women HAD to wear hose. My boss would come around every day and snap the hose on our legs to prove that we were wearing them and if we were not we were send home for the day.
Tealcc,
In reading the article, you should not take the allegations of this person as fact. She is claiming that the look policy was loosely enforced. Her claim does not make it a fact.
I would also note a couple of things... Allowing Christians to come to work with ashes on their foreheads on one day of the year is a reasonable religious accommodation. This is what Disney would be required to do under the law. Wearing a hajib everyday may not be a reasonable religious accommodation.
She is claiming damages resulting from the fact that she was fired from a subsequent job when they found out that she had been fired by Disney. If she was asked during her interview at the second company if she had ever been fired, or if she lied on her application about the circumstances under which she left Disney, then the second company would be justified in firing her and she should not be able to assert damages toward Disney due to that firing.
It sounds to me as though Disney tried to make reasonable accommodations and she didn't like them because they were not exactly what she wanted to do.
rock, This is still the United States of America, and Disney has every right ask her to adher to their dress cose, she knew this when applying for the job. Disney bent over backwards to apease her. I hope she loses the case
Hey Roger - she isn't trying to change our culture. If she was, she would be suing to force all Disney personnel to wear the head scarf. Personally, I think Disney SHOULD be allowed to tell her to put her damn head scarf in her locker until she's done with work. It's their business. Play by their rules or find another job.
On the other hand, comments like "Anyone tired of foreigners coming here...." makes you look about as stupid as that ugly kid in your profile picture.
drip, that name sure suits you. you liberal scum just got to throw out the race card don't you. Well it just doesn't work anymore. I'll just call you a homodisneyphobic
First Off I have never been to the Disney in California but I have been to the one in Florida many times over the course of 20 years. I and my children go there because it is a time where you can go to Epcot and different countries are dressed in their "real" clothing. If I went to a western 1900 era and saw someone dressed like that it would take away from the appeal of the time. They gave her options of which she turned down. Her choices. So she stopped coming to work, another mistake, and now she wants someone to pay for this? As you can see there are plenty of lawyers out there to gladly take this hoping to make a name for themselves and the client but the bottom line was she was in the wrong, the end. Now she can not get a job so she blames everyone else... I agree with what has been said before, you come to America and everything needs to change. It is time America started saying no. If you don't like then go back to where you came from. We have changed classic books that have been around for 80 plus years becasue they offened someone. We have changed laws becasue they offened someone. We have taken GOD out of the court house becasue it offened someone, it about time WE decided that we are just not going to take it anymore and started to stand up for US. My opinion but this starts to get old after a while!
El Wrongo. Companies can and DO dictate what an employee can and cannot wear- for a number of professional, health and safety reasons. Don't like it? There's the door; don't let it hit you on the way out.
I think she should sue the ACLU since they approved and helped develop Disney's policy in her case.
What's weird is that Disney is portraying the idea that there were no Muslims in the old west. Disney, like much else they do is presenting a cartoon picture of an era typically cast through a white culture perspective. So it goes.
Should they be able to do that? Sure, it's Disney and that's what they do. You'd think they'd be a little more modern and inclusive in their designs, but they're a fairly fascist and tightly controlled corporation like McDonald's (who would be loathe to sell their burgers on a dark bread bun, if you catch my drift).
It sounds like they did actually try to be accommodating with their head dress offerings so I think the woman is in the wrong. We're not talking about religious affronts here, we talking about traditions and the fact that the woman refused to compromise is the issue. Her assertion of her religion as a superior and inflexible premise in a private company's employ whose core business is projecting fantasy representations for public consumption is patently wrong.
In most jobs and especially in those where she need not interact with the public in a specific role might lend her claims some credence, but not in this situation.
I should mention that I despise most things Disney and am a ardent and vocal supporter of Muslim rights.
joemike404,
I read the article a few times, and I wasn't saying it was fact. Whether it is fact or not is irrelevant to my point. The point was that the claim was made that other things that the same rule applied to were not enforced, which the poster I mentioned seemed to ignore when she made that remake to the other poster. Whether you believe Disney or the woman's claims is irrelevant. They are both claims at this point, not facts. You are also singling out one of the many examples listed as exceptions to this rule enforcement, such as visible tattoos etc.. And I find it funny that you question the validity of her statement, yet you care to comment on the ash Wednesday portion of said questionable claim, as if that indeed was fact.
Dirp- You are way off. And so are the lawyers who think they have a case against Disney. She was offered a position that did not require her to wear a uniform and she refused it because it was beneath her. Living in North Africa may be beneath her too, but she should go back there. Every employer has the right to require uniforms and or a dress code and you can always apply to a place that does not require this. Maybe she should get a job at Hooters.
So she didn't have a problem with their dress code for 2 years? But now she does because she wants the ability to wear her religious ethnic attire? She knew what the dress code was, anyplace else and she would have been told either follow the dress code or be fired. These foreigners and religious people need to understand work is work and companies have rules you need to follow and almost every job has a dress code in force. We can't keep bending down to everyone. I used to work with a few american muslims who also needed many accomodations throughout the day for prayer, kneeling, wearing their traditional garb, etc. It really puts the other employee's in a quandry to pick up their work load while they praise whatever it is they are praising and also the other employees can't come dressed for the costume party without retribution from the employer. Hell, I'd love to park my broom in the parking lot and walk in with my alchemy costume on, but I know how to follow the rules.
She learned the American way quickly. Sue your way to wealth! She had a choice to either work in a job she was offered by Disney that would allow her to wear what she wanted or she could have chose not to wear the hijab at work. She also had a choice to stay where she came from and wear the hijab all of the time. Why should everybody conform to her whims? This could only happen in a country broken by liberals. One has to wonder what else she did at work that would cause the other employees to allegedly harass her.
I don't care what/whom people want to worship, but the best idea would be for people to keep religious displays out of sight when they are at their jobs, unless they own the business. I'm sure Disney wouldn't be happy about an employee who wore a crucifix-nose ring or a tatoo on their forehead reading THERE IS NO GOD.
.
More like real desire for money, not emotional distress. She was there 2 years before she even decided to wear the scarf? Whatever, she is looking for a payday.
I agree. She didn't even want to wear it for 2 years and then all the sudden its a big deal. Why do companies have to change their policies for someone else's "religious rights"? Religion does not belong at work no matter what religion you are. If you don't like it then work for someone else.
Was the costume in effect at time of hire? If it was explained to her that the costume was a requirement for the restaurant position and she accepted the job, then being in that position for 2 years also says she had no problems with it, I know Disney requires certain positions to be clad in costume and if she accepted it then the suit should bear no merit and should be tossed out of court. There is no PC here that warrants change. She chose to accept the job and wore the costume, minus the hijab in 2008. End of story.
There is no debate on this subject at all, she will win the case because its the America we live in today. I have found in my studies and working alongside many muslims that the teachings of Elijah Muhammad are based more on a status quo, look at the suicide bombers in the middle east to the assasination of Martin Luther King and Malcom-X, not to mention this lady is of the same faith as our beloved president and that the Muslims will be a part of the New World Order when the rapture begins.
You folks are a trip. America is a country of religious freedom. Yeah, she may have ben therefor two years but we don't know if there was a change in management that caused this from a bigoted ass? How, if you where a cross around your neck, your employer told you to take it off? This is wrong, period! She should be allowed to wear her Hijab!
People in america have the right to choose their religion whenever and whereever they work. It is against the constitution for an employer to make decisions about when/where/how they work based on someone's religious beliefs and how they express those beliefs.
The managers and staff created a hostile and contradictory enviornment that catered to Christians and denigrated her faith by requesting that she wear her hijab in "the back".
She deserves to have her issues raised and heard by a court.
Ahhh!....Isn't America great! Streets paved with Gold and plenty of Lawyers to help you with your frivolous law suits! Ain't it wonderful?
I hope the jury in this up and coming suit sees right straight through this false claim! I'm not a big supporter of corporations but I love Disney and what it stands for. This woman is a shill and a conniver. I hope Disney counter sues and takes every damn 'Hijab' in her dresser draws and then some...
I think she should sue the ACLU since they approved and helped develop Disney's policy in her case.
It appears that Disney went above and beyond to accommodate her. They even designed several different scarves for her to wear! Her rejection of them is like saying that employees should be allowed to wear street clothes instead of uniforms. However, Disney should be more consistent in enforcing its policies. Just as scarves make some patrons uncomfortable, I'm sure that crosses and ashes have the same effect on others. Religion has no place on the job.
Perhaps Disney should sue her religion for infringing on their employee. After all, Disney had first dibs, and the religion came afterwards.
I know, I know, (and I'm no fan of Disney's somewhat stringent policies), but I think Disney is right on this one. They really went out of their way to help this woman maintain her beliefs and respect her religious dress code, and she rejected them. I think this is all on her, and someone is looking to turn a dime for it.
Don't twist the facts, this was not an issue of faith. This was an issue of someone who knew the restrictions of the job they accepted, and then chose to disregard the dress code. They are trying to replicate an certain time and place in history, nothing more.
I agree, Barry. Disney has a well-publicized policy about appearance. It should be equallly enforced.
Your studies must be of propaganda design, you would be better off just keep up with current affairs.
getoveryourself12
While I agree that Muslims will be part of the world remade, please note that our president has stated time and time again that he is a Christian. That he does not stand in public places and loudly prays to be heard of man is to his credit.
Good think some idiot did not hire her to work at Hooters... WTF were they thinking? A restaurant employee must follow the dress code of the establishment. And the hiring manager should think about it as well.
Point and case; Ash on the forehead is not an everyday occurance and is only a once a year thing whereas she was requesting to violate the dress code on a daily basis for her "new-found" religeous beliefs, wearing a hijab was never the issue for her because Disney quite obviously made consessions to support her beliefs, harrassment is never a good thing yet it is also to be expected against anyone who seeks individuality because in doing such you set yourself aside to be a target (it's up to you as an individual to be confident enough to withstand it and prideful enough not to care), and finally, this lady came from Morroco, she is a muslim, and she is a woman... Morroco doesn't have the same freedoms as America as she gladly and joyously stated herself, Muslims have never been very tollerant of others beliefs or ideas, and woman in the muslim world, for the most part, have less rights then the family cat... How about instead of being defiant and trying to make an issue out of things because of the current world view and hot topic issue of muslims you do as all American's do and compromise to meet in the middle somewhere. Just so there's no arguments, Disney doesn't let Jewish people wear their yarmulkahs, doesn't let Christians wear crosses in the open, doesn't let American Indians wear their war paint or feathers, doesn't let punk rockers wear there eye piercings or have spiders tattooed to their faces, deosn't let thugs drop their pants down low, nor do they allow their hadicapped workers to bling out their crutches, walkers, helmets, or wheel chairs. They do this for the obvious reason of promoting diversity amonst their patrons (not their workers) in order to make them feel safe to go to any worker at one of their establisments and feel secure seeking assitance. This lady is a joke and doesn't deserve anything. She wasn't fired so there is no harrassment case against Disney. She has no proof that any fellow employee harrassed her on file (yeah every company esspecially Disney has a HR department designed to take care of things like that). And she knowingly violated the dress code rules which, consequentially, she signed apon gaining employment with this company. Again it has nothing to do with her being Muslim and everything to do with her being unreasonable. She loves American freedom but I guess no one told her that those freedoms stop the moment one encroaches on anothers freedoms, in this case a companies freedom to write their own conduct laws.
Islam in its current form is a very disruptive religion.
It's dress practices are too 7th Century for Americans to accept.
Islam needs to undergo a reformation like other religions did 1000 years ago.
.
If she was that devout a Muslim, why was she working at a restaurant that served alcohol? And pork? Isn't that also against her religion? It's my understanding that Islam only permits a woman to work so long as that work doesn't violate islamic law. Serving Alcohol and pulled pork sandwiches would be contradictory to that law. So in reality her new religion required her to quit her job. She was looking for a reason to get fired and when the company tried to accomidate her she found reasons why it was unacceptable.
Should have given her a job in the damn kitchen! At least there, she could have worn her hijab and THAT would have kept any of her falling hair out of the hamburgers and potato salad!
I worked at Disney one summer for an internship. From the moment you apply, you are told about the very strict and detailed dress code, especially for anyone in public view. If you're working directly with the public, you're given a costume to wear, not a uniform. Disney made concessions and took the time to design an addition to her costume that would be in line with her beliefs (and you can be sure it was checked with her religion's rules when designing it). She knew what she was getting into, later tried to change the rules on her own, and apparently quit without notice. I don't see a case here. As for the other people supposedly violating the rules, she should have brought that up before she quit.
I can see it now - Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck wearing hajibs just so Ms. New Religion doesn't feel out of place.
She talks about feeling out of place but ignores the fact that her attire is the reason that people focus on her.
What is amazing is that there are federal laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace based on religion. The reason is to prevent the employee from feeling alienated. However, there are no laws requiring the employer to allow for the open practice religion of in the workplace. The wearing of a cross or the wearing of a hijab are signs of openly expressing their religious beliefs. Carrying around a bible, koran, etc is an open expression of practicing religion in the workplace. The cross can be tucked inside a shirt/blouse and not be openly visible but how does one "hide" a hijab?
The next thing will be that the employee wants to carry around a carpet swatch and unroll it and pray to allah right in the middle of seating dining guests.
If u read it more carefully, it says growing religious conviction. It sounds that over time she began to take her religion more seriously. Regardless, if she asked at the beginning or 1 yr or 10 yrs later, you cannot discriminate or play favorites when it comes to ones religion in america.
It seems obvious to me that Disney has very specific requirements for "on stage" constumes. (On stage being anywhere the public can see you.) I don't recall Hijabs being part of the 1900 western fashion.
Put another way it would seem silly to me that if someone had a religious convection against being naked in public that they would apply for a job at a strip joint and expect them to allow them to dance with their clothes on. Even if this religious conviction came after they started work as a stripper.
It seems like these days the favorite past time for Americans is to go against the rules/grain and dare anyone to confront them about it - Then sue for humilation at being called on it.
She wants to wear her own custome instead of Disney's costume. Fail.
Keep religion out of all businesses, and keep it in your homes and your church.
I do not want any religion shoved in my face with your apparel or crucifixes dangling around your neck.
Keep your religion off public streets and place, and tax the hell out of the mudderfuddering azzholes also.
She waits 2 year before wanting to wear the hijab? Any excuse to sue and get big money! Why should a company change their policy for the individual if they agreed to that policy when they were employed.
Because we have a thing in this country called religious freedom. If you read the article, it was after she became a US citizen that she realized what those freedoms entailed. Depending on the evidence, it would behoove Disney to settle.
Really!!! Her religion wasn't all that important the first two years of her employment, now was it?
This has nothing to do with religion. Disney is a theme park. Employees dress according to the theme of the area they work in.
GTy sorry but after 2 years of employment if it became important then she should have moved on down the road..... She knew what the dress code was and had adhered by it for 2 years.....
People can and do change religions. Her religion change had no effect on her work. It posed no occupational hazard and could fit the uniform.
They had no reason to harass and malign her for it. If Disney employers have to pay monetarily then maybe they'll learn that this is America.
@journal journal....is that you Abdul..????
Any witnesses? I doubt it.
I'd always thought an employer had every right to stipulate the dress code! I'd say the mistake here was letting this muslim become a citizen, and this wasted, frivolous worthless lawsuit by these muslims cults only demonstrates our foolishness in immigration.
So if an employer's dress code also forbid wearing Christian cross necklaces, would you also support it?
Cameron, yes I would- I would know that when I started and have an option to take the job or not. Should Mickey Mouse also wear a hajib?
The issue is that the employer did not treat employees the same. If some people can get away with non-conforming religious apparel but not others, then you have an issue.
Cameron.. I worked as a manager in fast foods for almost 30 years and NO jewelry was allowed!!! Necklaces could choke you if you bend and come up and catch it on equipment... Rings get smashed and there goes a finger or two.. Bracelets can dangle in peoples food and same with necklaces..get caught and hey I didn't need that hand anyway.... Dress codes are there for a reason...EVERYONE dresses the same and it had better be a clean uniform everyday or guess what...I sent you home for a hygiene problem!!!! Don't get me wrong I support religious freedom but when it comes to a place of business the company makes the rules of conduct and dress codes... If you don't like it quit, because believe me you are indispensable... Someone is just waiting to fill that spot........
Muslim cults? Really dude??!! Then "all" religions are cults to you!
EngEsg- no where in the story did it say religious apparel that other were allowed to wear but some had non period jewelry and tattoos, but that can be argue against as well because the Native American Indians were doing tattoos on the period and jewelry was being made after the gold rush...... and personally dont get on here and BITCH about religious beliefs when the Jews and the NATIVE AMERICAN indians have always and will always be persecuted for their beleifs
I didn't know there was small print in the constitution that stated religious freedom is for "christians" only. Does it also apply to immigrants from western Europe only?
Employer's rights end where the Constitution begins. They have no right to dictate their employee's relgious expression any more than they have the right to dictate their employee's race or gender.
This is not an issue of safety. The dress code was enforced only for Muslims. Which is against the constitution.
Cameron, yes I'd support it and I have. Example, I was a blue shirted nazi airport screener for a time and we were allowed to wear crosses and have tattoos but they could not be visible to the public. I understood that at time of employment and abided by it. I didn't try to change the regulation as these people always want to do. This smacks of the same vein as the stupid muslim woman in Tampa who demanded to wear her burqa while taking a photo for a driver's license. WTF?
Disney doesn't allow you to wear crosses, star of david, or anything that isn't part of their uniform. If you have Tattoos, they must be fully covered with approved coverings (my wife is fully covered in tattoos). When she applied for a job at disney, the HR people had pictures of all of the uniforms at each location and showed them to her to see what she could wear to cover her tattoos. This was very strictly enforced. Their is no way the restaurant at the Grand Californian was allowing piercings or tattoos to show on their employees.
By offering her 3 different options and different places to work to accomodate her religious beliefs, they went way being what a company is legally required.
What if my religion required me to go around naked all day? Should Disney be required to allow me to work naked in public? (And no, you don't want to see that. I've had two kids and they were not kind to my body) She agreed to the dress code when she was hired. End of story. As for the allegation that it wasn't enforced for everyone, that wasn't my experience. Even in landscaping, you could have almost no jewelry and no visible religious symbols, and no visible tattoos.
inmissouri: Employers cannot discriminate based on religious beliefs, period.
You can't say: Ashen crosses are "Okay" but Hijab is not "okay". You can't say "Christmas, Yes. Ramadan, NO." The rules are to be enforced on everyone.
If they want period clothes, fine, she'll wear period clothes, but you can't say that there were no muslims in the Wild West and say "Okay but Western style Christians, Ok!"
That's the definition of discrimination. You cannot discriminate in America at all, end of story. They were not letting her wear the hijab, not because of the dress code, they did not let her wear the hijab because it is muslim clothes. That is illegal.
journal- so you're saying that someone who converts to a religion that requires nudity could force their employer to allow that? Legally, if they require everyone to wear the uniform, everyone has to wear the uniform, with reasonable adjustments for a religous belief (which Disney tried, but she didn't accept).
As for the allegation of Catholics wearing ashes- if they did get the ok, it was a one day a year exemption from the rule- not an every day wardrobe item. If a Christian was allowed to wear a big cross pin on their uniform, but the hijab was not allowed, that would be discrimination.
As for your Christmas/Ramadan example- If they want to portray Christmas only in their park, that's fine. It's a private business. If they allow people to take time off for Christmas, but don't allow them to take time off for Ramadan, that would be discrimination. Not sure what you were implying with that one.
Overall, Disney does not allow any religious symbols on employees that may be seen by guests. They gave her multiple options, adjusting their requirements to try to suit her, and she chose to leave.
Yep sorry did not ask about it during the hiring procedure or after for Two Years. Sorry, but if this went too trial and I was the judge I would say tough **** *****. Next case please.
It's a theme park for crying out loud, you don't see Mini Mouse running around with a rag on her head.
Panhead, I agree with your point, though you missed the point with your comparison.
Every company has a dress code, we in the military have one of the most stringent dress codes of any organization in the US. One thing has become apparent, even we are making allowances to accomodate the faiths. I served in Iraq with some East Indians, wearing beards and an ACU colored Turban.
Still, companies have the right to establish the requirement for a uniform or dress code. If this young lady is unwilling to abide by the dress code, she is welcome to do exactly what she did, leave.
If I were a judge I would treat this a a frivilous law suit, and threaten her with jail time for contempt if she pushed it.
Waaaa take that diaper off your head and wrap it around your keister you whiny baby
Thank GOD she didnt have the position of Snow White or Cinderella. So what now they all want to come to the United States and we have to change our ways to suit them? Bull. Go back home. Cant you see your not wanted here? Its all for the money. 2 years later. Geez they sure do learn the American way quickly dont they?
While I don't necessarily agree with her lawsuit, you do realize that freedom of religious expression has been around MUCH longer than the past 11 years. You are a hateful bigot.
Thanks KG, I couldn't have said it any better.
Though I don't agree with this young lady's law suit, or the fact that she feels she is entitled to special treatment due to her religious practices. Religion has a place and that place is not in a professional arena, or in a political one.
I support religious freedom, in fact as a member of the US military, that is what I am employed to protect, along with the rest of the US Constitution. However, in respect to everyone else who shares this country, you can wear what you want when you go home. I spend all day in my uniform, but I prefer to wear shorts most of the time...I can't at work, and I wouldn't expect to be able to.
I am tired of all religious sects always wanting more than others, and imposing their values on others. It is a private company, nobody is forcing her to work there!What if a nudist will sue them for not letting him work naked? After all is his religion:Nudism! And may be some women have another religion: Topless-anity!
Private company or not, this is America, and religious freedom is expressed in the Constitution. Just a thought.
Cameron, you missed the point. No one is infringing on her right to worship as a muslim, this is only about the requirements of her employer as relates to dress, nothing more, nothing less. Her employer has every right to stipulate a dress code as do all employers, whether it is a uniform, a hard hat requirement, no facial hair, etc. etc. She and her ignorant low life attorney are both only after money, nothing else. Throw this lawsuit out!
Sorry Cameron, but even religion is limited under the constitution.
Let me draw a parallel to show you why the employer has a right to impose a dress code: People working with machinery in factories are not allowed to wear loose clothing or have long hair unless it is tied back because it poses safety risks. Doewsn't matter what religion they are -the rules apply equally to all.
As for Disney, it is a theme park and all employees are supposed to dress appropriately for their areas of work.
She waited two years to demand religious exception - to me that says it really wasn't that important to her faith.
Actually, her employer is infringing on her right to worship. The requirement of dress does not interfere with her ability to do the job and the employer is not unduly burdened by accommodating the requirements.
The management of the location for Disney should have known better. They are a publicly traded company that has been in the PR business for decades. The changing landscape of America has enabled them to make millions from the Aladdin series, you would thing they would at least learn something of the region from which the stories originate.
Dirp - incorrect. The hajib in NOT a religious requirement in Islam anymore than wearing a necklace with a cross is a requirement of Christianity. Therefore her employer is not infringing on her right to worship. Secondly, the US Constitution is about what the government is not allowed to do, not about what private companies are allowed to do. The question at issue comes under federal Civil Rights law prohibiting discrimination based on religion. That law requires that the employer treat employees requesting religious accommodations equally and that they make a good faith effort to accommodate those requests. It does NOT mean that they must make exactly the accommodation that the employee demands. Understanding that Disney is an entertainment company, if the intent of the dress requirement is to foster the illusion of being in the 19th century American frontier then the company is justified in not meeting the employees request to wear the "standard" hajib. She should lose this case.
The employer has no right to dictate how she worships god and what the "requirements" of her religion are any more than you do, joemike.
There was no safety issue. Her hijab wasn't puttting anyone in danger.
The xenophobia needs to stop.
Her case is as worthless as her religion. She should be encouraged to migrate to a country that favours this sort of b.s. May I suggest Somalia?
The point is, JournalJournal, before she decided to wear the hijab, she knew she worked for a themed restaurant. She also knew how strict Disney is on their costumes. BEFORE she decided to wear the hijab, she should have approached her managers/supervisors and asked what accommodations could be made for her. And when they gave her their options, she would have known if they would suit her. At that point, she could have made the choice between donning the traditional hijab, or choosing one of the options Disney gave her.
Whether you like or not, a private employer has every right to set their own dress code policy. Whether that's due to health and safety, or to a theme. when you are made aware of the policy BEFORE you accept the job offer, that means you are aware of what it means to adhere to that policy. If you cannot adhere to that policy, then you should leave the company. The company does not have to change it's policy just because an employee decides they can no longer adhere to it.
I will not comment on the allegations she made of the policy being loosely enforced because it's simply hearsay at this point. Unless you worked there, no one knows if her allegations are true. Perhaps there was harassment going on, perhaps not. Knowing how people can be xenophobic a$$holes, I wouldn't be surprised if some people were harassing her. But that has to be proven. FYI, I'm not xenophobic. I've traveled a fair amount outside the US for a 'typical' American, and I don't harass people based on religious ideologies (even though I disagree with most of them).
Based on the facts presented in this article, it appears that Disney did indeed try to accommodate her, but she opted out of those choices. That was her decision, not Disney's. It sounds like Disney did all they could to accommodate her newfound religious ideals, even so far as offering to transfer her to a different position. But she chose none of them. What did she expect Disney to do? When she elected to not show up for work, that gave Disney the right to fire her.
The rest of you telling her to go back home, need to quit been xenophobic a$$holes. As a naturalized citizen, she deserves every right to live here, and she has every right to practice whatever religion she wants - the same as any other native-born citizen. It's people like you who give Americans a bad name.
Have any of you actually read the constitution? It States VERY clearly that there is to be a seperation of the church and the state ALWAYS. One is forbidden by the constitution to affect the other. The purpose of this was to promote religeous freedom yes, but also to not to infringe, transpose, or force any religeous value on any other through the use of government or any other pathway. The first ammendment of the constitution states the following; "congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religeon, or prohibiting the the free exercise therof". This builds the wall that seperates church and state. Company dress codes do not fall into nor are they restricted by this amendment. One of the main purposes of uniforms at a place like Disney IS to adhere to this rule by making sure NO religeons are promoted at these places so ALL religeons feel welcome regardless of peoples individual bigotries.
Joemike makes a very good point, the Hijab is a CULTURAL headdress, not a religious requirement.
I worked with a huge number of Muslim people while I was in Iraq, many of whom were very religious. Very few of the women there chose to wear a Hijab. The culture of Iraq is different than that of Saudi Arabia. The Persians, in Iran, don't typically wear Hijab. They are Muslim as well, though they have a significantly varied cultural diversity.
I'm just clearing the air a bit for those who care to know.
Military Man, Hijab is not a cultural headdress, it is a requirement for women to observe her modesty. In fact it is just one of the ways to preserve both men and women's modesty (different extent of parts of body to cover for men) It is stated clearly in the Koran (24:30, 33:59). Just because some Muslim women choose not to obey the ruling doesn't make it a cultural requirement. As a matter of fact, preserving modesty does not only exist in Islam, although the requirements are different. In NIV Bible (Matthew 5:27-28), Christians are also given the guideline on how to preserve modesty. This, however, is not followed by majority of Christians. My point is, just because it isn't practised, doesn't mean it's not a requirement.
Someone said something about her taking 2 years to wear the hijab. Again as I've said, Muslims develop the urge to obey the word of God at different paces. For example, just 10 months ago I was wearing the skimpiest dress. Today I cover my whole body including my face. If you asked me why or how, I can't pinpoint an exact reason or trigger to the event. It just happens. 10 months ago I was doing comparative religion study and arrived at a conclusion. 9 months ago I started to wear hijab (not HAJIB, no such word), 8 months ago I started wearing niqaab (face covering) against my own father's wish (he's a Muslim too, albeit a non-practising one) and have never turned back or felt happier. My father has now accepted it gradually. What I'm trying to say is that the decision to wear it doesn't happen as soon as you become Muslim. Plus, she made the decision upon becoming a naturalised American, which sounds to me like she is aware of her rights as an American.
I do have to say, however, that in my opinion, she's probably not doing the right thing. She refused to work "behind the scene". A Muslim women insisting to be a front-liner, covering her head and working at a restaurant where they serve alcohol and pork... that's just off. And I agree that Disney made an attempt to accommodate to her by suggesting a few ways of wearing a hijab, which she dismissed.
But that harrassment part... I'm sorry to say this to you Americans, but you do this so well, most of you don't even realise how destructive it is. Kids get bullied in your school, colleges, universities. People get harrassed at work or even on the street for being different. I mean this happens all over the world, but not as bad as it is is America. People are just forced to blend in or given in to others' expectations, putting your own opinions last. Too much freedom clearly takes away your freedom, however paradoxical that sounds.
Hey Christians, if you want the right to advertise your religion in your clothing and jewelry, you have to allow others to do the same. That's the way it works.
So either give up your cross necklaces, angel pins, and WWJD bracelets, or quit harassing and name-calling this woman and others of faiths other than your own.
I doubt that a nun's habit would be allowed either. That would be the closest to a hijab.
Cameron, the dress codes established by an employer of course would/could/should apply to any/all items of religious affiliation. You might also check to see if it's possible that you could repeat second grade...
cameron- i had a friend work for disney and in the contract you sign to work there it says disney can alter the requirements of what you need to wear to work at disney. also the fact it is a themed restraunt. someone sued hooters over something like this awhile back. result they threw the case out. same thing will most likely happen here.
tyler: I doubt if upper Disney management was even aware of this issue. More likely than not, this young woman will win this one, even if it is settled by Disney. While a company can make up its own rules regarding uniforms, those rules can't discriminate against religious beliefs when those beliefs can be accommodated. If she was Princess Bell or something, it would be a different story.
Cameron, I need some advice. How do you attach that tea bag to your mouth so it prevents you from saying stupid things?
cameron...Disney doesn't allow christians or jews to wear anything with their religion while they are working either. There is no discrimination in this case. she is treated exactly how anyone of any faith would be treated at disney. The restaurant is a themed restaurant, They dont have a DRESS CODE, They have UNIFORMS provided by Disney since the hosts and waiters are part of the overall theme.
Cameron -- legitimate point... IF the other Disney employees are wearing Christian themed T-Shirts while on duty at the restaurant--- what... THEY"RE NOT!!? Oh, then you're an idiot.
Disney went so far as to DESIGN her a uniform that provided her with a headcovering... which she rejected, because she learned about litigation in her citizenship classes, and decided suing was easier than waitressing.
Most of us still do not care,I will not go out of my way to cause offence but do not demand that we give a damn about people who make no attempt to get along with us.And if the problems are so problematic then maybe it's time for her to fly the freedom bird back to where ever...:o)
Does she have any proof for this smear on her co-workers? Probably not. Frankly, the whole thing sounds like a set up for payday.
Whats next with these folks. We don't need this in this country. Looks hot and nasty anyway. They have to stink.
Believe me they do. Has something to do with personal hygiene and all those spices they cook with. I live in an apartment building with a lot of middle easterners and the hallways stink to high heaven from all the cooking fires. geez.
She went through the process to legally live here, and to become a citizen. She has every right to live here, and practice whatever religion she chooses. It's people like you that probably harassed her at work. She has every right to wear whatever her religious values dictate she wear, without being harangued and called names. Just as you have every right to wear a cross (or whatever) without fear of being harassed.
@Ky
Disney is not stopping her from practicing her religion.
Adam, my comment was for CWOCOL, not directly related to the article. I know Disney didn't stop her from practicing her religion.
From the article ...
Whenever you hear somebody say, "It's not the money. This is about principles!" ... You can be absolutely, completely sure of one thing:
It's about the money!
Those, masks, and turbines are banned at my business. If the courts get envolved I will fold the business. Just looking for a reason to retire and this would do it. About the
other 15 people that would loose their jobs…not on my head.
Nobody asked you to work for Disney, why don't you work at a local mosque?
Indeed, she should work at the nearest mosque cleaning the washrooms. Islam is a way of life more than a religion, and is rapidly becoming a way of life not to be tolerated in any western democracy. Give her a one way ticket to the Islamic republic of her choice and solve her problem THAT WAY.
If you want to work somewhere you have to agree to wear THEIR uniform.. She did that for TWO years and then decided to change... They tried to accomodate her and she didnt like what they suggested.. SO SHE left.. She then got fired from another job.. She should be suing THAT job NOT disneyland.. Disney didnt say she couldnt wear it they said she could wear it if she wore a hat over it or took a job in the back instead of the front... If she wanted the job she would have done what she has been doing for the past TWO years.. Wear THEIR uniform.. Now tattoos as long as they are not derogitory then they should be allowed.. peircings.. should only be in the ears and not the rest of the body when working at disneyland.. and all religion should be left out of it.
On another note... These people that harassed her..... If they DID harass her they NEED to be fired ASAP.. no harassment should be tolerated.. Also did she report the harassment. If not she has no leg to sue.. If she did report it and nothing was done then heck yea she should sue.
Welcome to America, where we don't don the hijab. If you work with the public and are required to wear a uniform you are not allowed to alter the appearance of the required uniform to suit your religious beliefs. if a uniform is against your religion, i guess you need to find a new job. Foreigners coming to this country is a wonderful thing, but do not expect us to change our way of life to accomidate you.
Right on Rick! How about when Saudi Arabia or Iran allows american women to wear tube tops and short shorts in one of their public restaurants, we allow hijabs in American establishments - That should happen in a couple hundred years when they catch up with the rest of the world. Oh and by the way - I do realize she was from Morocco.
In reading the article, I see that she did not decide to wear the religious dress until AFTER she was hired. This would appear to me to be fraud in that she saw fit to not declare her personal religious dress code until she was hired. All companies have dress codes. It is the right of a company to set what employees wear. As to other employees being rude? Welcome to the US.
Did you see the person she was walking with? That person is a professional litigator much like the NAACP that is using this story for purely political and religious gains in the media.
To say that a Muslim woman is being discriminated against by Disney? Their own culture and religion would as soon set her on fire or shoot her in a public forum in the name of God. I thought that I had seen the limits of hypocrisy, but I was wrong. Allah is truly great.
This media circus is much like those put on by Jessie and Al and company. I was in the army at a time during the Civil rights crisis and as an Infantryman, we did not follow the media coverage, but one day a group of Black Muslims appeared out side of the gates of the Army base where I was stationed. shortly after that, the Black soldiers began to become aggressive towards the white soldiers and even went so far as to slash a fellow white soldier with razor blades. The Muslims were passing out literature calling for open revolution to kill the enemies of Islam. Suddenly, George and Bruce became Mohamed. The tensions became so extreme, the FBI was called in to investigate. That was a long time ago, but the Islamic religion has not changed nor its agenda to convert the world.
Lazarus
Disney has a dress code. No long hair or earrings on the men. Neat hair on the women. No tatoos....AND NO HIJABS. This is not discrimination. This is dress code folks.....if you do not like it, please look for another job.
PS: Yes folks, I am a Liberal Democrat.
Actually, their code probably does not specifically say that. If it did, that would open them up to further law suits.
You can put this in the same category as an employment sign that says " No Jews"
What a ridiculous over generalization.
It's more like a dress code that tells Jewish men they cannot wear a Kippah while at work, not an outright discrimination against Jews.
Drip, perhaps you should read the policy of the company rather than just spout off.
It is a THEME PARK and supporting Theme business, THEME being the key, fit into that THEME or don't work there.
Anyone that has ever faced Disney in court or worked for them know ::
DONT MESS WITH THE MOUSE!
This woman first started this little drama a year ago. Originally, she only wanted to sue because of religious discrimination because Disney wouldn't allow her to wear her head covering... even though she had worked there for two years without wearing it.
That was it... the head covering.
Evidently, her attorney has coached her to add more pathos to her discrimination and persecution suit by claiming her co-workers caused her emotional anguish. This wasn't ever mentioned by her even once last year. It was all about the head covering.
Nothing to this but a pay day.
Hope Disney has had a photographer following this little twit for the past year photographing every step she takes to make sure she has had her head covered.
She should have wore mickey mouse ears then they would have thought it was Obama.
When people talk about bigots, this is what they're talking about.
@ Porter Rockwell
I agree, dmalett should not have been that rough on Mickey. Now the guy that is destroying our Country-no holds barred Paul. Rip him a new one!
No, that was G Dubya.
:o)
I think she has a case if she were working at any other place. At Disney they are cast members in costume, if she doesn't want to wear the costume I think it's in their right to fire her. She knew what she was signing up for, she and her lawyer are right they've never seen a cast member in a hijab just as I've never seen a cast member in street clothes.
And you never will...
No, she is a simply a hostess in a restaurant. She is not a costumed princess or any of the other character actors. The wearing of a head covering in no manner affects her ability to do the job assigned.
The lower management failed to properly discuss the situation with upper management before making a bone-headed decision. Add to that the obvious remarks which went unchecked and you have a very clear case of discrimination.
Anyone who does not know what they are doing should not be in management.
Dirp ... have you thought a little bit or are you just parroting the P.C. fantasy? No one is denying her the right to work or interferring with her religious beliefs. She is voluntarily working at a place with well established dress code and agreed to abide with those codes at time of employment. When she objected years later she was offered alternatives to meet both her "religious" beliefs and the employers needs and refused. In this case (as most often is the case) the lady is very much on shaky ground. The employer made all reasonable efforts to accomondate her "religious" beliefs and she refused all reasonable efforts.
"dirp', I'm pretty sure she's got no case and if the Disney Corporation is smart and we know they are, they will counter sue that 'she' must pay back the court cost when she loses.
If I recall correctly (from people I know who work for Disney), when the Disney Corp. hires you they have you sign a dress code agreement. I'm positive this women signed one, so she's already lost.
Evidently, her attorney has coached her to add more pathos to her discrimination and persecution suit by claiming her co-workers caused her emotional anguish. This wasn't ever mentioned by her even once last year. It was all about the head covering.
It'll be interesting to see if there's a paper trail for her claims of abuse by her former co-workers. I'm betting there's absolutely no evidence that any of it had ever happened and it's just a bunch of wild claims to make her frivolous lawsuit sound better.
Disney takes descrimnation seriously and if any complaints at all had been done, be one big paper trail.
Again Drip, it is a THEME business. Fit into the THEME or be gone. Disney trys to cover peoples personal and religious needs, however the bottom line is still THEME. It does not matter if its a hostess or the peson doing street sweeping, THEME.
As long as she has her uniform on what's the problem? Let her do her job. Disney may look like an awesome place to work but they probably treat their employees like slaves.
Why don't you put on a pirates hat with your Burger King uniform when you go in today and when your boss, the drive thru window attendant, ask you why you're wearing your fruity hat just let him / her know that you have your uniform on and so "what's the problem" ... let us know how that works out for you Goober!
Nice try but your example is lame
If you can't wear the uniform as described in your employee handbook, then find another job. Feel absolutely no sympathy for her. Disney is her boss; they set the rules. If you don't like it, start your own amusement park IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY.
Wow. That's non-sense. That's unconstitutional of Disney. I thought Disney was better than this. It is just a head piece for crying out loud. She is a human-being. Yet got treated like trash. This is America. We are suppose to be better than this. That's why this country is called the Land of the Free. There is people of all walks of life in this country and we should all treat each other the same way as one would like to be treated. That is really tough for grown adults to discriminating someone for their personal beliefs. Those co-workers/managers should get fired. THAT'S one of Disney's Policies. No discriminating will be tolerated, is it not? Disney, have you forgot how America was made? The constitution/bill of rights? Freedom of Religion/Expression? Total non-sense.
"Lionel"...
You're a mindless twit and don't deserve the freedoms afforded to you by this great country.
If you're too dumb to understand the obligations an employee has to his / her employer or to understand the meaning of freedom of religion then you should have your citizenship revoked.
If you are ever able to get a job besides at the fast food joint where you work, like at a fortune 500 company for instance, walk into work with a Halloween costume on and tell them your religion is being an idiot and see how that works for you Jethro ... jeez, what a clown.
Panther,
People seem no not 'get' that a dress code for wearing suits and a ties/dresses and heels (whether unspoken or enforced) at an office are just as much of a uniform as those working fast food.