Disney gives workers more room in grooming rules

LOS ANGELES TIMES
Mickey Mouse is gettin' funky.
Walt Disney Co. is once again easing up its traditionally strict grooming standards, allowing workers at its domestic theme parks to sport cornrows and hoop earrings.
Under new rules, male park workers can wear braids if they are in straight rows, neatly tied close to the scalp and fall above the collar line. Costumed women can wear hoop earrings provided they are no larger than a dime and hang from the bottom of the earlobe. Only one ring per ear is allowed.
It marks the latest change to the strict rules laid down by Walt Disney himself several decades ago. In 2000, Disney permitted park employees to sport mustaches. In 1994, female theme park workers were permitted to use eye makeup.
In other changes, female workers will be allowed to wear open-toe and open-heel shoes. Sandals are still not allowed.
Men who don't wear costumes will be allowed to wear crewneck, turtleneck, mock turtleneck and three-button collared seaters, but not golf and polo shirts.
"Every so often, the grooming policy is re-evaluated based upon feedback from employees or cast members," said Disneyland spokesman Bob Tucker.