The Walt Disney Company is facing a class action lawsuit, alleging religious discrimination. The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund has filed the complaint with claims a practicing Sikh American, applied for a job with Disney in 2006 but was not hired, and was told that he did not have the 'Disney look'.
The 'look', allegedly referred to the beard and turban worn by the applicant, which his religion requires him to wear, would violate the Disney dress-code. In 2005 this same applicant was an employee of Disney as a musician, but he was required to wear a red turban, to match the red berets worn by the other musicians. He later was told to shave his beard and was dismissed after three months, after which he applied for another position as a trumpet player, but was denied. The lawsuit claims that Disney's hiring practices require applicants to choose between their careers and their religion.
