Disney employee says she was prohibited wearing head scarf to work

I don't disagree that the attention whoring is a little ridiculous, but also not entirely unexpected given the absurdity of Disney's requirement.

Jeff said:
What "costume" does that require?

I think uniform would have been a better term.

I don't think it's unreasonable at all to say that her head scarf doesn't comply with employee dress code.

In other articles (like RGB mentioned) it talks about how Disney offered to let her work "backstage" until they could find a compromise that allows her to cover her head in a way that works with her hostess uniform.

Seems to me Disney is going out of their way to accomodate this woman.

Maybe the guy in the pot shirt story should have claimed religious discrimination instead of racial?

OK, so put yourself in her shoes for a minute. Wouldn't you find that to be a degrading compromise? Regardless of intent, I'd feel like they were embarrassed by me.

Yeah, I think "costume" comes from the same place that "cast member" does. Disney doesn't have "employees" and therefore doesn't have "uniforms."

I think it goes back to the Dredlocks at Carowinds, or beards and facial hair. If a company sets a standard for dress, and you want to work for said company, you can either choose to comply, or do this. I may not agree with Disney's opinions or policies on dress, but if it's against their policy for her to wear the headscarf in this particular job, and they offered her another position, then it's left up to her.

Jeff said:
OK, so put yourself in her shoes for a minute. Wouldn't you find that to be a degrading compromise? Regardless of intent, I'd feel like they were embarrassed by me.

No, I wouldn't.

No more so than the other countless things people haven't been able to wear/do at their jobs - both at Disney and everywhere else.

But especially at a place like Disney where the image to the customer is so carefully designed and controlled and is such a big part of their success.

OK, so you wouldn't feel that way, but I would. She does.

I have to ask, what image are they trying to control that would disallow a head scarf?

Originally I was on her side, (and I still think that the ban is silly, even if it conflicts with a "uniform") but after going back and actually reading the articles, I call shenanigans on this woman. She's worked there for 2-1/2 years and hasn't attempted this in years past, so what makes this year different?

Going in to work fully knowing that you can't wear the hijab while flanked by reporters and cameramen? C'mon.

“I’ve been sent home,” she said. “I thought maybe today is my lucky day because I have my friends, my supporters.”

No, you thought you could break the rules if you made a spectacle of yourself.

(edit: can't spell.)

Jeff said:
OK, so you wouldn't feel that way, but I would. She does.

Then it's her problem for taking a job where her scarf is a problem.

I have to ask, what image are they trying to control that would disallow a head scarf?

No idea, I don't work for Disney. Probably the same image that doesn't allow facial hair, earrings, tattoos or whatever else Disney frowns upon.

What do the wait staff at the Storyteller dress in?

Yeah, I can't see her side in this at all. If it violates Disney's policy, what's there to discuss? Add to that that Disney has tried to be as accommodating as possible given the circumstances, and the fact that she decided to make a spectacle of herself in an attempt to make Disney look bad, I have no respect for this woman.

Edit: What the hell did you do to this thread, RGB? :)

Let private employers set their own policies. Prospective employees who don't like those policies can work somewhere else (or start their own company and make their own policies). Prospective customers who are bothered by the policies should patronize other businesses.

What was it about her third Ramadan working at Disney that was different than the prior two?

GoBucks89 said:
What was it about her third Ramadan working at Disney that was different than the prior two?

According to the article I linked to:

"Boudlal has worked at the Storyteller restaurant at the hotel for 2½ years but only realized she could wear her hijab to work after studying for her U.S. citizenship exam in June, Qazi said."