According to reports, Imane Boudial, 28, filed a complaint before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) way back in 2010, claiming that she suffered harassment during her two years of employment at the said theme park.
Boudial claimed in her complaint that right from her date of employment, she faced harassment and her hostile working environment. Her situation became worse when she realized that she has the freedom to be who she is and to freely practice her religious beliefs as well. Since then, Boudial started wearing hijab, a type of headgear worn by Muslim women to maintain decency when going outdoors.
Shortly thereafter, Boudial suffered ethnic and religious insults and mockery when she was told that Arabs are terrorists. Boudial raised the problem several times to the company’s management. However, the management failed to take proper action regarding the matter. In fact, she was even told by one of her managers to stop complaining.
Furthermore, as a result of wearing hijab, Disney gave Boudial options— refrain from wearing her hijab and instead wear several large hats, or be stationed in the rear of the restaurant with no contacts among customers.
Last month, Boudial finally received a notice of right-to-sue from the EEOC. With it, Boudial is now suing Disneyland for multiple employment violations that fall under Title VII’s prohibition of discrimination and harassment, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and more.
Boudial is a naturalized U.S. citizen of Moroccan origin. As a Muslim, wearing hijab is a part of her religious beliefs. However, said hijab had unexpectedly triggered her job dismissal.
Meanwhile, a Los Angeles employment lawyer felt that Muslim employees are experiencing an increasingly high-level of religious discrimination in the workplace. Therefore, he is hoping that such issues would be addressed immediately.
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