Toronto changes ‘clean shave’ masking policy after Sikh advocacy group files complaint

The so-called “clean shave” policy for workers at shelters and hangouts in Toronto was changed after some Sikh security guards reportedly lost their jobs for refusing to shave their beards.

An official from Canada’s World Sikh Organization (WSO) confirmed the change to CP24 on Tuesday afternoon.

It comes after approximately 100 Sikh security guards employed by third parties were fired, transferred or had their shifts canceled due to non-compliance with a city ​​politics that required some employees to be clean shaven in order to fit properly into N95 respirator masks.

“We received a call from Mayor Tory and he confirmed that the security guards would be able to return to their jobs and that the City would be working with the security contractors to make this possible. He also confirmed that the N95 would only be needed when there is an outbreak,” Balpreet Singh, WSO spokesperson and legal advisor, told CP24.

Balpreet Singh of the World Sikh Organization Canada is calling on the city of Toronto to reinstate bearded security guards who were dismissed from their jobs due to a “clean shave” mask policy.

READ MORE: Toronto must review ‘clean shave’ N95 mask policy after Sikh workers fired, demoted

“There is only one such site and there the latex or cloth covering could be used to cover the beard. This is indeed what we had initially suggested.”

The city’s policy previously applied to workers in homeless service settings who came into contact with clients suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, as well as in settings where an outbreak of the virus was suspected or declared.

Singh had written a letter to Mayor John Tory and city council members drawing their attention to the potential discriminatory impacts of the policy on June 7.

However, weeks passed without any action being taken.

Following multiple media reports on Monday, the city formally ordered its contractors to comply with its Human Rights and Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy and to make equitable accommodations for its employees with religious exemptions.

Mayor John Tory also told reporters Tuesday that he would like to see the contractors involved — ASP Security Services, Garda World and Star Security — apologize.

“(These workers) deserve better than that. … There is always an accommodation,” she said.

Among those affected by the interpretation of the policy was Birkawal Singh Anand, who was hired last spring to work security at a local rest facility.Birkawal Singh Anand, a contract security guard who works at a Toronto rest facility, said he was recently told to shave after a mandatory N95 mask failed to fit properly because of his beard. Anand is a Sikh and according to his faith he should not cut or shave his hair or beard.

During a July 4 interview with CTV Toronto, he said he recently received an email from his employer, ASP Security Services, telling him to shave off his beard or he would be out of a job.

“Freedom of expression and the human rights of all have been protected. For me, if I can’t follow my religion, it’s a disgusting thing, right,” said Anand, who likened shaving facial hair to “peeling off the skin.”

To make matters worse, Anand said the deal offered by his employer, ASP Security Services, amounted to both a demotion and a pay cut.

He called the situation “disturbing and humiliating.”

ASP told CTV Toronto that they tried to find accommodation for the affected workers.

Two other security companies that also have contracts with the city, Garda World and Star Security, have not commented on the matter.

Speaking to CTV Toronto late in the afternoon, Anand said Tory called him and apologized for what happened. He said the mayor also promised that “everything will return to normal.”

“That means he will reinstate all the Sikh guards to their same positions and also at the same pay rate,” he said.

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