Well, first I would not go as far as saying that this one teeeeeeeny restriction (that probably will keep some machinist from suing from having his facial hair ripped out from some machinery) would put Disney in a beardist category. Sure, by default, the long exclusion of any beards makes the Company an easy target. But I can tell you from being on the inside we are VERY inclusive.
As far as someone suing, thank GOD people are better than that especially if there is a reason; without knowing what that restriction is (and I certainly don't). My guess is that it's Safety related.
It's pretty crazy to see how riled up people have gotten over this announcement. Me? Not so much. We've had beards at Disney for YEARS now. Contractors, Imagineers, and Animators have had them...just not the theme parks based on a grooming guideline that frankly, is part of what Guests themselves have said set our Company apart. If you study the history of our Park's creation, you know that clean shaven is one of the things Walt Disney demanded his theme park employees to observe. One of the things people don't know is that we have been pushing for this change for what seems like EONS and have come close for quite a few years, but the focus groups of Guests kept saying the clean shaven look is what set Disney apart. So the Company to be beardist....not so much. Late for the prom...ummmmm....probably.
