Imane Boudlal, employed for the last two years as a hostess at the Storyteller's Café in Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, has filed a discrimination complaint Aug. 18th against the corporation that owns "the happiest place on Earth."
The reason, they have repeatedly sent her home without pay for refusing to remove her headscarf at work. She has made four attempts since Sunday to start her shift while wearing it; the last occasion was on Wednesday after she'd filed the complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity. Boudlal brought reporters and photographers with her to document the scene that time.
But is it really as open-and-shut a case of religious discrimination as it appears?
The Storyteller's Cafe is a themed restaurant (the theme there is based on the cartoon characters Chip 'n Dale) and like all of Disney's theme restaurants, it has a dress code. The hostesses work uniform there consists of camp-style green slacks, orange vest and long-sleeved white shirt. Boudlal, who was born in Morocco but has recently achieved US citizenship, wanted to wear a white hijab as well.
And Disney officials say that Boudlal has never been denied the opportunity to work. The Los Angeles Times quotes Disneyland spokesperson Suzi Brown:
"She's been allowed to work. We've given her the opportunity to work in a backstage role the last several shifts that she's come in."
Brown said they tried to accomodate her needs this way because the hijab was too great a departure from the costume policy for hostesses.
Boudlal refused to work in any behind the scenes capacity though.
Last week she was taken to the costume department to look for possible alternatives — a hat was suggested — and she was told she could not wear her own hijab, said Ameena Qazi, staff attorney for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which is representing Boudlal...
"It has to do with the costume, every role at Disneyland Resort has a specific costume," Brown said, adding that a number of employees wear religious clothing and work behind the scenes. She could not recall whether there were any who worked directly with guests. (from the L.A. Times)
Imane Boudlal, along with her attorney, held a news conference Wednesday in front of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and framed the issue as being about diversity.
"My advice to Disney company … take a ride on one of your own rides, a little thing called 'It's a Small World,' which celebrates human diversity,"(CAIR attorney) Qazi said. "Imane is just celebrating that same diversity." (from the L.A. Times)
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Comments
I have to go with Disney on this one. When employees sign on for a job, they sign on for what the job requires; in this case, adherence to a dress code. Disney would be within its rights to fire this woman just as a pharmacy has the right to fire an employee who refuses to fill a birth-control prescription and a cab company can fire a cabbie who refuses to transport people with dogs or unopened bottles of alcohol. If someone takes a job, they agree to the job's requirements. They have no right to impose conditions later that affect their adherence to the job's requirements.
Totally agree with you. Disney is a private enterprise, why should they not be able the "brand" themselves with a specific dress code? She doesn't have to work there does she? No, she doesn't; it's a choise that she chooses to make. People need to quit complaining about discrimination because a business not governed by and body of government decides to runs there business in a specific way. It's amazing that people are always looking for the easy way out; that in itself is "UnAmerican".
I am starting work at Disney World in the college program and before you begin working they have you sign a form that you understand you are required to ware a uniform. You are working for a company that considers HR "Casting!" They want you to play a role and dress the part! If she really wanted to work she would have taken the backstage roles she was offered!
It's interesting how she didn't pursue legal action for years yet she claims she was discriminated. The moment she becomes a citizen she decides to sue. Very interesting indeed. You'd think if it really bothered someone they would voice their opinion or sue from the beginning. Its a little disturbing to hear about such cases- where one uses the religious and discrimination card.
I agree with what you said. I also think that this is a case of someone taking advantage of our laws to force their culture and way of life on us. I go to Disneyland to see fantasy characters. I do not pay to see Muslims in partial costumes.
I also go along with Disney. The Constitution does not grant to anyone the right to work at any particular workplace, whether the employer wishes to hire any given person or no.
Very few Christian sects affect any sort of distinctive costume. Those that do, would never even apply at a place like Disney, or any place requiring one to appear in uniform.
Dude, seriously? What is CAIR thinking in taking this one? The law is clear on this and they are going to lose because Disney has offered her other positions that would reasonably accomodate her needs. I hope Disney seeks attorneys' fees.
CAIR don't care if they win or lose. They want everyone to see how badly Muslims are mis-treated. We've had this in Europe already and it's the first step to a ban on your freedom. Youwill hear more and more about abused Muslims from CAIR. Just do your research and look at the mess we're in in Europe.
Religious freedom includes the freedom to do stupid things, but it also includes the freedom to find an alternative to things that don't allow you to do your stupid things, instead of stomping all over everyone else. Like work in a different department that allows you to wear your stupid clothing. Or, in the example of a cab driver who can't bear to transport someone holding alcohol, work in a different industry or start your own discriminative cab service. Maybe next a Muslim woman will sue Playboy.
The issue is NOT about diversity...it's about opportunism and attempting to cash in. Disney is very clear about their costume and dress guidelines prior to hiring. If it doesn't work for you, then don't take the job. End of story.
This was a non-issue for her for 2 years...but chances are one of these shark lawyers talked her into a potential payday. I hope Disney, and the judges, throw it all right out so the system can attend to real issues of discrimination and race.
what do i think? i think someone needs to explain freedom FROM religion to muslims
disgusting comment.
Disney is right on this. There is a uniform and she is not wearing it. She can't do that job because she refuses to do it, so she needs to go elsewhere.
I'm with Disney. They gave her every opportunity and now she's complaining? Disney should not pay her anything. The only problem, is that can you still work for a company that you're suing? If they fire you, even if you don't show up for work, wouldn't that constitute retaliation?
Disney is right on this one and I am pleased to see all the intelligent comments that have been posted so far.
This is not merely about Disney. This is one of a series of cases involving Bergen Community college, the NYC public schools, Electrolux, Kelly Temp Services and others. This is about attempting to sneak sharia law in under the radar and to punish any employer who will not kowtow to Muslim demands.
You are the first one to mention sharia law and you are absolutely right. Unfortunately, most people do not see it this way, NOW. But when it becomes a reality, they'll wonder how they could have been so blind
Disney best not back down. This has NOTHING to do with religious freedom. The issue is right to work and no where I have ever worked did I get to choose my own dress code.
If she doesn't like the dress code-QUIT!! You dont like how things are done in this country, you are free to move to another one.
Seems simple find a different job where she can wear whatever
I sent Disney an email telling them not to back down. Enough is enough with the anti-American muslim demands.
your all haters with no respect everytime you see a person waering a hijab or a scarf you all run like monkeys
There is no goodness, no truth, no humiliy in her quest for misdirected justice. If she really wanted to practice her faith and love the one true God, she would have taken her work behind the scenes in a dash in the same restaurant and worshipped with all her heart as she worked wearing her headscarf while getting paid. Why not start her own amusement park, and let all employees wear whatever religious clothing and accesories they want, whenever they want?
It is obvious that this discrimination charge against Disney is a contrived attempt to get publicity. Disney has not discriminated against this employee. If she is allowed to wear her hijab on stage who will be next to cry discrimination against them? Disney has too many employees from various backgrounds to allow their employes to dictate what they will wear or not wear, etcetera. If Disney does not maintain a worldwide accepted dress code it will not be long before Disney an American institution will not be the happiest, cleanest place on earth.
Religious blackmail! Shame on her - she is a poor representative of her religion.
Agreed.
Moreover, how loyal is Imane Boudlal to her religion? If her religion states that she must wear a hijab in public then why did she accept a position at Disney and then work for two years without wearing one? Dare I say there is more to this story and who else is behind this attack against Disney an American icon.
I am a Muslim American who wears the head scarf (Hijab) and totally disagree in what the girl is doing. She seems to be an opportunist! Disney is a great company, and their dress codes for employees are clear. Disney has the right to not allow the hijab if they don't want to due to the image of Disney. I personally like the way Disney is and wouldn't want them to change their rules a bit. If she doesnt like it, she should go work somewhere else, where dress code isn't an issue. And plus, she should be thankful to find a job here in the states. Many people can't find that opportunity to begin with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very thoughtful answer. I wonder id she has "Rights" where she's from to sue companies after working there 2 years.
something else is going on here. some opportunistic lawyer got hold of this babe and told her she could sue disney. go back to morocco. noone wants you here.
You are right. Something else IS going on here. Muslims in subtle ways (in this case, not so subtle) are attempting to institute sharia law as part of our legal system. It has been going on in Great Britain for years and they didn't see it coming either. Now it's too late for them. They've established a stronghold and are attempting to do the same here in America. This is only one small example of how it starts.
If it appears there is something else is going on here, it's because something IS going on here. Wake up, people, we are being slowly convinced that in the name of religious freedom, that we must accommodate rules and regulations that are completely foreign to our own law of the land, the Constitution. Hang in there, Disney. Don't let the threat of being "politically incorrect" dissuade you from taking your stand.Let's learn from what's happening in GB!
While I think in this case I think Disney is correct, the rants re Sharia law seem to verge on the edge of paranoia.
So, nick, but you are wrong. There are communities in the mid west where they are pushing for sharia law.
Nick, I am from the UK and you are wrong. Sharia law is being slowly forced onto the UK population, through concern for Muslims' intolerance, testing court cases, lobbying/terrorism and a misguided/socialist local government infrastructure
I hope you in the USA act before it's too late
I'm also from the UK, and some people like to pretend to be paranoid to justify their attitudes.
I agree with Disney as well. The dress code is there for a reason. A white head scarf would not stand out that much but once you open the door then there are a lot of other cultures that would want the same accomodations with much louder dress. It could start looking like more of a circus. When you're hired at a job your given an understanding as to what is expected and Disney has you sign an agreement which expects you to only wear what is supplied as part of your costume.
Package it how you will--Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhism, etc.--it all amounts to the same thing: a ridiculous belief in the fantastical and supernatural. It is a more widespread belief in Santa Claus. Nothing more. Time to grow up people. The belief in god is a delusion.
Well, they say that ignorance is bliss - obviously why you are so happy. So, which kind of chimp were you, or were you a wallking fish or were you one of those that simply grew from the ashes of that big bang. Talk about delusional.
she doesn't like the dress code, she can find a new job!
I like the comment that one of our anonymous replies stated "If she doesn't like the dress code-QUIT!! You dont like how things are done in this country, you are free to move to another one." The ephasis should be on "Free To Leave" unlike the philosophy of sharia and Muslim dogma. This woman does not understand the "Freedom of religion", which means not to push it in the face of the public, but to freely practice it in private or a church,mosque, or synogogue, NOT in a Public place that is owned by American investors! She should also remember that in the Middle East she probably would have been reprimanded for have a thought of her own. You are free in this country Miss and you are also Free to leave so please do
If Disney set the precedent when they hired her, and she agreed to that precedent, plus Disney equally applies the rule across everyone regardless of religion or no religion, they probably should legally and ethically win this case.
However, if Disney did not set any expectation at hiring and/or does not apply it equally across everyone, then they will and probably should lose this case legally and ethically.
I'll be interested to see what develops.
Once again, our judicial system hard at work.....NOT! I hope she loses and has to pay court fees and they send her a.. back to the sexist demoralizing country she came from. PS Can I sue her because I am offended that she wears that headpiece and it offends me??!!!
Go ahead. Sue her because she ruined your experience at Disneyland.
I work at Wal Mart and there is a dress code, maybe I should sue if I can't wear my Target shirt at Wal Mart!
This is as bad as the taxicab drivers refusing to pick up people from duty free airport store when they are carrying alcohol.
What would she do if she was hired by a butcher, complain about the pork being sold.
She was hired to wear a costume. Not any costume, but the one Disney designed.
Disney Cast Members (employees) know when hired that their is a dress code to follow. Some of the requirements are no-showing tattoos (if I have a Christian Cross tattoo, should I be allowed to show it because it is my religion?). Why did this woman wait two years to take a stand. I believe in religious freedom, but also believe that I must follow the regulations of my employer unless it is in direct violation of my religious beliefs. And, then my choice would be to find another job.
correction to first sentence "there" rather than their. Sorry.
The deluge of Islamic efforts to undermine our way of life is nothing new and their strategy is manifold: mayhem coupled with subversion. If you don’t believe it all one needs is to look at Europe and Turkey. Americans must be forever vigilant against this insidious encroachment on our culture. To ignore it is folly. Immigration control, enforcement of our laws, forced assimilation (i.e., enforcing dress codes, secular laws, etc.) and continual exposure to Islamic tactics are our best defense.
Islam is in desperate need of Reformation - Muslims worldwide need to wake up and make it happen. It’ll be messy but necessary for future world peace.
Infiltration from within- wake up America. The paranoid survive and those who think it's about a dress code or discrimination are falling into the trap and are being diluted by the haze over our eyes. Lets examine what's really going on here.
well this is another shot at showing us who is the minority. If the government doesn't soon take a stand and stick up for our country we will be known as United States of the Muslims...or any other nationality that wants us to bow down to them. I have nothing against anyone living in the US but then dammit abide by our rules not change them for everyone else.... Sheesh dress the part at Disney or get out and work at burger king.. She refused work and didnt conform to the dress code ...ummmm common sense then she is fired.... Jobs are to hard to come by today lots of people waiting to work... The government wonders why this country is falling apart... OPEN YOUR EYES....
I feel sad for that poor Muslim woman. After all these years of listening to rebuke after rebuke from Disney about dress code, the day of revenge has finally came at citizenship. Perhaps she said to herself, I will hang you guys out to dry for all the grief you have given me. I will make you pay one way or the other. A company’s dress code is a dress code. I had a similar situation like hers a few years ago; however, I finally buckled under the law firm’s rules to keep my job. You see in my case, I knew the dress attire and was informed of the same from day one, but I decided to test the waters and dress the way I did in Egypt, with my Burqa. In America I became an American. When I went home to Egypt on vacation I became an Egyptian again. She will not win such a case in an American court.
Nada
Let me say one more thng please. If she wins her case in court against Disney it will be sweet sailing for us Muslims in America. We could all begin to wear our our burqa, niqab and hijab. We will be untouchable.
Nada
If you folks all like that stuff so much, what made you come here for a better life? Does it make you feel at home, or what?What were you looking for?
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