City reinstates Sikh guards terminated over facial hair after World Sikh Organization complaint

The City of Toronto announced it’s ensuring security contractors accommodate all employees who lost their job, over what’s being described by some, as a “clean-shave” directive after a complaint was made by the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO).

Earlier in the day, CityNews reported more than 100 Sikh security guards, contracted by companies with the City, have been removed from their jobs for not shaving their beards, which employees and advocates have said, are a requirement of their faith.

The City has a policy in place relating to the fitting of N95 masks, stating the face coverings need to be fitted against bare skin.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada shined a light on its call to the City for action last month, after the policy was put in place at some sites.

An investigation into the complaint by the WSO was underway by the City, it said in a statement, “that some of the City’s security guard contractors are not accommodating its employees who maintain facial hair for religious reasons and, therefore, cannot wear protective N95 respirators, which are required by public health directive in shelter settings where a COVID-19 outbreak is present.”

“The City of Toronto abides by all human rights legislation and all contractors must also abide by the City’s Human Rights and Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy (HRAP), and all applicable human rights legislation,” the City wrote.

It also said the City has made exceptions for some employees who have requested religious exemptions in shelter settings and that it expects contractors to follow suit with staff who make the same request.

“The City has directed these contractors to accommodate their employees who have requested religious exemptions and to reinstate any employee whose employment was terminated, immediately,” the City wrote.

“The City has contracts with many large security guard organizations and is confident that these employees can be accommodated in other City settings,” it continued, “including shelters that are not in outbreak if required.”

It added it will be working with the security guard companies to make sure what they are calling the accommodations are provided and that nobody is out of work because of the policy.

It wrote that the City “does not tolerate, ignore, or condone discrimination, and is committed to promoting respectful conduct, tolerance and inclusion, always.”

With files from Nick Westoll of CityNews