ACLU Probes Six Flags Hairstyle Ban

[a1aara]

ACLU Probes Six Flags Hairstyle Ban


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The American Civil Liberties Union is investigating complaints from more than a dozen black employees at a Six Flags theme park who were told their hairstyles were inappropriate.

Jonathan DeLeon, 17, was hired at Six Flags America in Largo, Md., in March to wear the costumes of Sylvester and Daffy Duck. A few weeks later, he said he was told to cut his braids, which were at least 3 feet long.

Though his mother cut more than 2 feet of his hair, park officials were dissatisfied, he said.

"They told me I had to cut them even shorter or go home," DeLeon told The Washington Post. "They said they wanted an all-American thing. That's what they said to all the black people. I had already cut it a lot, so I just left."


The 2006 Six Flags America handbook states that employees are not allowed to have "any hairstyle that detracts or takes away from Six Flags theming."

Terry Prather, the park's general manager, said that the policy is not discriminatory and that exceptions are made for employees with religious and medical reasons for not cutting their hair.

Some employees said they tried to adjust by buying wigs to cover their hair or by paying to have their hair braided into cornrows, but they too were told that the hairstyles were inappropriate.

---
On the Net:

American Civil Liberties Union: http://www.aclu.org

[Sidew13]

Get over it people, or get another job. I guess that Six Flags is wanting to project a clean & friendly image. That's what Disney does.

[job41475]

I have alot of experience with this after 10 + years in the hotel business. Disney ( who I started with) has/had a strict no facial hair and grooming guideline. They have since allowed mustaches but have held strong on the no visible tattoos, hair cut a certain way, limited piercings ( none for guys). My two company's after that ( Fairmont and Jumeirah) have less strict but similar policies. IMHO, it's kind of nice to have held to a standard. Disney's exlanation was always that you're filling a "role" and that "role" had certain expectations. If you're going to work for a place/company then i think you should be willing to adhere to the standards they set forth. If not, there are other places of employment. Soem may agree. Some may disagree btu that's my opinion.

[phjrsaunt]

I, too have worked for Disney. It's made very clear to us up front what the deal is as far as hair, makeup, tattoos, etc. Sounds like Six Flags also makes it clear up front.

Now. On the other hand, if they are not applying the rule equally to each Cast Member (or whatever they are called in Six Flags lingo), THEN there is a problem.

[RinglingRingling]

looks like working for Disney is out, what with "no facial hair" and all...

[phjrsaunt]

looks like working for Disney is out, what with "no facial hair" and all...

....and I just don't see you as being "cheerful and merry, singing and dancing" without beer.

[RinglingRingling]

looks like working for Disney is out, what with "no facial hair" and all...

....and I just don't see you as being "cheerful and merry, singing and dancing" without beer.

yeah.. there is that small detail too... dammit.

[job41475]

[quote="phjrsaunt"]I, too have worked for Disney. It's made very clear to us up front what the deal is as far as hair, makeup, tattoos, etc. Sounds like Six Flags also makes it clear up front.

Now. On the other hand, if they are not applying the rule equally to each Cast Member (or whatever they are called in Six Flags lingo), THEN there is a problem.[/quote]

I agree!

[job41475]

looks like working for Disney is out, what with "no facial hair" and all...

....and I just don't see you as being "cheerful and merry, singing and dancing" without beer.

yeah.. there is that small detail too... dammit.

In my seven years working for Disney, I never had to sing or dance ( not my style) but I did have to be cheerful.

[Drumkat]

he was hired with the braids. If he wasnt told to cut them or not be hired, he should sue them.

[job41475]

he was hired with the braids. If he wasnt told to cut them or not be hired, he should sue them.

Then that's a different story, didn't know that part....

[Sam]

ACLU Probes Six Flags Hairstyle Ban


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The American Civil Liberties Union is investigating complaints from more than a dozen black employees at a Six Flags theme park who were told their hairstyles were inappropriate.

Jonathan DeLeon, 17, was hired at Six Flags America in Largo, Md., in March to wear the costumes of Sylvester and Daffy Duck. A few weeks later, he said he was told to cut his braids, which were at least 3 feet long.

Though his mother cut more than 2 feet of his hair, park officials were dissatisfied, he said.

"They told me I had to cut them even shorter or go home," DeLeon told The Washington Post. "They said they wanted an all-American thing. That's what they said to all the black people. I had already cut it a lot, so I just left."


The 2006 Six Flags America handbook states that employees are not allowed to have "any hairstyle that detracts or takes away from Six Flags theming."

Terry Prather, the park's general manager, said that the policy is not discriminatory and that exceptions are made for employees with religious and medical reasons for not cutting their hair.

Some employees said they tried to adjust by buying wigs to cover their hair or by paying to have their hair braided into cornrows, but they too were told that the hairstyles were inappropriate.

---
On the Net:

American Civil Liberties Union: http://www.aclu.org

Does he know for sure they only told black people that? Perhaps the rest of the remaining (whatever ethnic group) workers had already complied and did not need to be told repeatedly?

The policy is quite clear and no doubt he and the others were told and briefed on the policy when they were interviewed and when they were hired. No doubt they do have a handbook of guidelines and policy, that must be read and is available or given out to employees.

What's the problem?

[ragtopW]

I, too have worked for Disney. It's made very clear to us up front what the deal is as far as hair, makeup, tattoos, etc. Sounds like Six Flags also makes it clear up front.

Now. On the other hand, if they are not applying the rule equally to each Cast Member (or whatever they are called in Six Flags lingo), THEN there is a problem.

OK but in California there is a law that says if you are hired with that style.
they may not ask you to change it... or shave an existing facial growth

[BahamaBreeze]

Jonathan DeLeon, 17, was hired at Six Flags America in Largo, Md., in March to wear the costumes of Sylvester and Daffy Duck. A few weeks later, he said he was told to cut his braids, which were at least 3 feet long.

He is wearing a costume...no one sees him.

And our Six Flags is NOT Disneylike. At least not the one in ATL....no happy and cheery people at this one. More like the people you find who work at those fairs that blow into town.

[ragtopW]

Those of you who have met me know where I stand on this..

[Drumkat]

he was hired with the braids. If he wasnt told to cut them or not be hired, he should sue them.

Then that's a different story, didn't know that part....

read the article.

[Brown Eyed Girl]

Seems to me that when this gentleman was interviewed and hired they had an obligation to point out that portion of their "policy" and inform him then that his hairstyle was inappropriate and would need to be changed if he was to accept the job. It is in their best interest to do so.

The whole thing kinda reminds me of this:

And the sign says "Long-haired freaky people need not apply"
So I put my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said you look like a fine outstanding young man, I think
you'll do
So I took off my hat, I said "Imagine that, huh, me working for
you"

I'm not opposed to dress codes, in fact I wish more places would enforce them. I don't appreciate going into a department store or market and seeing some girl's muffin top spilling out of her too tight jeans, or some guy's underwear because his pants are at his knees. But I've seen many guys with long hair or braids and facial hair who were far more clean cut than their short haired counterparts. You either have style and class...or ya don't.

[carey24]

Jonathan DeLeon, 17, was hired at Six Flags America in Largo, Md., in March to wear the costumes of Sylvester and Daffy Duck. A few weeks later, he said he was told to cut his braids, which were at least 3 feet long.

He is wearing a costume...no one sees him.

And our Six Flags is NOT Disneylike. At least not the one in ATL....no happy and cheery people at this one. More like the people you find who work at those fairs that blow into town.

Went to the one in NJ....guards at the rides....with handguns.

Def not disneylike crowd. I've felt safer on the streets of Baltimore city in the middle of the night.

[green1]

looks like working for Disney is out, what with "no facial hair" and all...

What about if you are playing the part of one of the pirates in pirates of the Carribean. Or in, six flags, if you are playing Yosemite Sam?

[job41475]

looks like working for Disney is out, what with "no facial hair" and all...

What about if you are playing the part of one of the pirates in pirates of the Carribean. Or in, six flags, if you are playing Yosemite Sam?

Audio animatronic figures aren't held to the same standards Plus even if they do have real actors or "face characters" as they are called, the specifications for that part or role your're playing would be different and you could have whatever facial hair is needed.