Toronto to accommodate and compensate Sikh security guards fired for facial hair – Toronto | Globalnews.ca

TORONTO (AP) — Sikh security guards removed from their posts in Toronto due to a conflict over facial hair required by their religion and COVID-19 masking rules will be rehired and compensated for their lost hours, the AP said. Tuesday an organization that defends them.

The World Sikh Organization complained to the city last month on behalf of more than 100 Sikh security guards, who were required to wear N95 masks sealed directly to the face, a rule that would not allow facial hair.

The city said Monday night that it had ordered its security contractors to accommodate and rehire Sikh employees who were removed from their posts.

The World Sikh Organization said on Tuesday it had heard from the city that the affected guards would be compensated for lost working hours and returned to their posts.

“I’m glad the city has finally come up with a solution that works for these Sikh security guards,” Balpreet Singh, legal counsel for the organization, said in an interview.

“But… I’m a little disappointed that it took so long.”

Singh said the city also accepted a suggestion from the organization to introduce a technique called “under the mask” to help accommodate Sikh employees. The technique involves wearing a cloth or latex mask over facial hair before covering that mask with an N95.

“It has been scientifically proven to form an effective seal,” Singh said. “That’s more or less what we wanted. We’re a little disappointed that it took all this controversy to get to that point.”

Toronto Mayor John Tory said he “strongly” believes no one should be discriminated against for their religious beliefs.

“I asked city staff to work with all contractors involved to resolve this issue immediately and to make it absolutely clear that we respect people’s human rights, including freedom of religion,” he said in a written statement.

“I hope that city staff will continue to investigate this complaint and make any necessary changes, including legal action, to ensure that Sikh residents and people of all faiths are fully respected.”

The city said it had told its contractors to immediately rehire affected employees and accommodate those who applied for religious exemptions.

“The city contracts with many large security guard organizations and is confident that these employees can be housed in other city settings, including non-outbreak shelters, if necessary,” he wrote in a statement.