Just pulled this from the AP:
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Disney Loosening Workers' Grooming Rules
By MIKE SCHNEIDER, Associated Press Writer
ORLANDO, Fla. - Mickey Mouse can now sport cornrows, and Minnie can wear hoop earrings.
The Walt Disney Co. is loosening grooming rules for workers at its theme parks, another shift from the squeaky-clean standards set by the company's founder decades ago.
Under a new policy adopted last month, male park workers for the first time can wear braids provided they are above the collar, neatly tied close to the scalp and in straight rows. Female workers have been able to braid their hair for years.
"It is really becoming a mainstream look," said Melissa Valiquette, manager of Costuming, Cast Image and Appearance at Walt Disney World.
Men will also be allowed to wear different styles of shirts, while women can wear more revealing footwear and less conservative earrings. (Hosiery is still a must.)
The changes were based on comments from workers and focus groups involving at least 60 Disney visitors who were shown photos of different clothing and hair styles and asked if they had objections to park workers wearing them.
"We're not looking to be on the cutting edge, but we want to see what styles are becoming mainstream," Valiquette said.
The last time Disney changed its grooming policy was in 2000, when the company allowed workers to grow mustaches. In 1994, female theme-park workers were permitted to use eye shadow and eyeliner and balding men were allowed to wear toupees.
After the changes in 2000, there was a rash of mustache-wearing employees.
"I think cornrows will be different," Valiquette said. "It's not a look that everyone can pull off."
Men who don't wear costumes will no longer be limited to Oxford-style shirts — crewneck, turtleneck, mock turtleneck and three-button collared sweaters will be permitted. Golf and polo shirts are still forbidden.
"Our personal opinion is that golf and polo shirts look nice when they're brand new but they don't look good after you've washed them," Valiquette said. "After you've washed them, they're naturally prone to looking sloppy."
Gary Steverson, a character performer at the Disney-MGM Studios park who likes the strict grooming standards, said the change makes sense.
"It makes us more approachable to guests," Steverson said. "A person in a shirt and tie, how approachable are they?"
Female workers can for the first time wear hoop earrings, provided they are no larger than a dime. Only one ring per ear is permitted and they must be worn on the bottom of the earlobe.
The new grooming rules also allow for some more fancy-free footwear for female workers, who now will be able to wear open-toe and open-heel shoes. Athletic shoes, sandals and western boots are still frowned upon.
Union leaders praised the changes.
"Any additional leeway is a good thing," said Donna-Lynne Dalton, recording secretary for Teamsters Local 385, which represents bus drivers and costumed workers.
Steverson said Disney officials may also be trying to appease workers as they approach negotiating sessions for a new union contract in a few months.
"I think they're trying to change the cold company into a warm company," he said.
Even though Walt Disney wore a mustache, he was a stickler when it came to the grooming of park employees, wanting them to maintain clean-cut images at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida.
"Walt was a staunch conservative when it came to appearances but he was definitely a person who believed in changing with the times," Valiquette said
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Disney Loosening Workers' Grooming Rules
By MIKE SCHNEIDER, Associated Press Writer
ORLANDO, Fla. - Mickey Mouse can now sport cornrows, and Minnie can wear hoop earrings.
The Walt Disney Co. is loosening grooming rules for workers at its theme parks, another shift from the squeaky-clean standards set by the company's founder decades ago.
Under a new policy adopted last month, male park workers for the first time can wear braids provided they are above the collar, neatly tied close to the scalp and in straight rows. Female workers have been able to braid their hair for years.
"It is really becoming a mainstream look," said Melissa Valiquette, manager of Costuming, Cast Image and Appearance at Walt Disney World.
Men will also be allowed to wear different styles of shirts, while women can wear more revealing footwear and less conservative earrings. (Hosiery is still a must.)
The changes were based on comments from workers and focus groups involving at least 60 Disney visitors who were shown photos of different clothing and hair styles and asked if they had objections to park workers wearing them.
"We're not looking to be on the cutting edge, but we want to see what styles are becoming mainstream," Valiquette said.
The last time Disney changed its grooming policy was in 2000, when the company allowed workers to grow mustaches. In 1994, female theme-park workers were permitted to use eye shadow and eyeliner and balding men were allowed to wear toupees.
After the changes in 2000, there was a rash of mustache-wearing employees.
"I think cornrows will be different," Valiquette said. "It's not a look that everyone can pull off."
Men who don't wear costumes will no longer be limited to Oxford-style shirts — crewneck, turtleneck, mock turtleneck and three-button collared sweaters will be permitted. Golf and polo shirts are still forbidden.
"Our personal opinion is that golf and polo shirts look nice when they're brand new but they don't look good after you've washed them," Valiquette said. "After you've washed them, they're naturally prone to looking sloppy."
Gary Steverson, a character performer at the Disney-MGM Studios park who likes the strict grooming standards, said the change makes sense.
"It makes us more approachable to guests," Steverson said. "A person in a shirt and tie, how approachable are they?"
Female workers can for the first time wear hoop earrings, provided they are no larger than a dime. Only one ring per ear is permitted and they must be worn on the bottom of the earlobe.
The new grooming rules also allow for some more fancy-free footwear for female workers, who now will be able to wear open-toe and open-heel shoes. Athletic shoes, sandals and western boots are still frowned upon.
Union leaders praised the changes.
"Any additional leeway is a good thing," said Donna-Lynne Dalton, recording secretary for Teamsters Local 385, which represents bus drivers and costumed workers.
Steverson said Disney officials may also be trying to appease workers as they approach negotiating sessions for a new union contract in a few months.
"I think they're trying to change the cold company into a warm company," he said.
Even though Walt Disney wore a mustache, he was a stickler when it came to the grooming of park employees, wanting them to maintain clean-cut images at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida.
"Walt was a staunch conservative when it came to appearances but he was definitely a person who believed in changing with the times," Valiquette said
