Disney & Discrimination against dreadlocks?

[bora bora 1]

I wanted to see what you all think about this...

I'm a middle school teacher living near Orlando - a few miles away from Disney.

School ends in 2 weeks and I was thinking about a part time job - maybe something different - so I tried Disney's Job Fair.

Honestly I don't want to work there but it's close and they need seasonal workers (so I can quit no problem when I go back to school in the fall).

I went through this whole line of people, applied for a job, waited in 2 rooms, then went to see a recruiter to see if there was a part time job for me.

All this time I'm thinking I didn't really want to do this (I have an interview at Berlitz at the end of the month

Anyway, I was told by the man interviewing me - after about 5 minutes of me waiting for me clicking on the computer and then asking me "interview" questions - that Disney will not hire people with dreadlocks.

Does this seem wrong to anyone else?

Now I know they have a bunch of dumb rules, only small earrings, no mustaches, short hair only for me, no necklaces, one ring her hand, etc...

but still.

[MissStacey 1]

Personally, I think it is ridiculous. I love dreadlocks!

[bora bora 1]

I mean, I'm a bit relieved because I really shouldn't be working as a slave. What Disney expects of you sucks (hours of availability, etc), but it's the reason why I couldn't be hired.

What if I had needed/wanted the job?

[Fandango 1,439]

I mean, I'm a bit relieved because I really shouldn't be working as a slave. What Disney expects of you sucks (hours of availability, etc), but it's the reason why I couldn't be hired.

What if I had needed/wanted the job?

Then you would have either had to cut your locks or find another job.

Seems to me you're overthinking it...you dismiss some rules as 'silly' like no mustaches, but yours is 'discrimination'?

[peejay 327]

I mean, I'm a bit relieved because I really shouldn't be working as a slave. What Disney expects of you sucks (hours of availability, etc), but it's the reason why I couldn't be hired.

What if I had needed/wanted the job?

You'd be sh*t out of luck unless you complied with the dress code.

Welcome to the real world. I'd love to be able to smoke weed, but the random DOT piss tests (whiz quiz) I am required to take as required at my work have a way of setting my priorities in life.

So...what are your priorities? They are paying you to accomodate their standards...not the other way around.

[Nancy2015 2]

I really want to know why. Why no dreadlocks? Doesn't seem like it has anything to do with safety at the workplace (small earrings could probably fall under this category). Employers can set whatever rules they want, as far as appearance is concerned, but I'm really curious if there is any good reason behind not allowing dreadlocks.

[StarProg 0]

Many companies have dress and appearance codes you must meet. For a company like Disney, appearance of the employees could be very important. I faced similar codes when I applied for a job at Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

[Cassie 8]

I mean, I'm a bit relieved because I really shouldn't be working as a slave. What Disney expects of you sucks (hours of availability, etc), but it's the reason why I couldn't be hired.

What if I had needed/wanted the job?

You'd be sh*t out of luck unless you complied with the dress code.

Welcome to the real world. I'd love to be able to smoke weed, but the random DOT piss tests (whiz quiz) I am required to take as required at my work have a way of setting my priorities in life.

So...what are your priorities? They are paying you to accomodate their standards...not the other way around.

Yep, pretty much. I worked for a national historic site in Canada, and as part of my job we had to dress like we lived in 1744. We had very specific rules and regs about rings, earrings, facial hair. When I pulled ligaments in my ankle I couldn't use modern crutches, but a wooden walking stick. We weren't allowed to have anything modern in sight of the visitors. And if we didn't like it, we didn't have to work there.

[Scott & Lai 12]

Many jobs, if not most, have some kind of appearance codes; they have a certain image of their company that they want employees to reflect. Disney's chosen image has always been a very clean-cut, conservative look. If you are unwilling to maintain that appearance, then Disney is not the place for you to work.

[JoeMama 0]

It makes sense to me about the dreadlocks or having long hair. Disney parks are full of machine operated rides. Employees work near the machines or they are allowed access to walk by machinery. It made sound crazy. But they probably don't want someone's hair getting caught in these machines and ripping a person's melon from their body.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I really want to know why. Why no dreadlocks? Doesn't seem like it has anything to do with safety at the workplace (small earrings could probably fall under this category). Employers can set whatever rules they want, as far as appearance is concerned, but I'm really curious if there is any good reason behind not allowing dreadlocks.

Disney goes much further than that. They look for certain types of people who'll maintain their image (wholesomeness, Leave it To Beaver, white bread, always happy...rainbows shooting out from your ####### look).

Edited May 10, 2007 by Steven_and_Jinky

[Robor007 0]

It makes sense to me about the dreadlocks or having long hair. Disney parks are full of machine operated rides. Employees work near the machines or they are allowed access to walk by machinery. It made sound crazy. But they probably don't want someone's hair getting caught in these machines and ripping a person's melon from their body.

tap tap?

This has nothing to do with safety and everything to do with image. Disney isn't going to put an non-mechanical employee into a position where they're around dangerous machinery.

[Robor007 0]

I really want to know why. Why no dreadlocks? Doesn't seem like it has anything to do with safety at the workplace (small earrings could probably fall under this category). Employers can set whatever rules they want, as far as appearance is concerned, but I'm really curious if there is any good reason behind not allowing dreadlocks.

Disney goes much further than that. They look for certain types of people who'll maintain their image (wholesomeness, Leave it To Beaver, white bread, always happy...rainbows shooting out from your ####### look).

Exactly! ^^^ My post above. Disney is very strict with their image. Sorta like JD going from the Red Sox with his mullet to the Yankees with the clean cut.

[bora bora 1]

I was going to work retail. But, like I said, I don't want the job. I was just surprised that the guy said he won't hire me because of my hair.

Well, it's ok for me to educate Disney's children - just not to sell their t-shirts.

I'll stick to teaching

[Otto 83]

I don't have an issue with their decision, it's simply a personal (fashion) choice that didn't match their requirements.