Toronto city permits ‘Singh Thattha’ Method as facial cover for Sikh security Guards after complaints against ‘no beard policy’

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TORONTO: The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) recently brought forward a concerning matter related to Sikh security guards in the City of Toronto.

In a statement it said that the City of Toronto had instituted a “clean shave” requirement for all security guards on city sites resulting in the exclusion of Sikh security guards who maintain uncut hair as a tenet of their faith. “Over 100 Sikh security guards have been removed from their jobs as a result.”

The new City of Toronto mandate required all security guards to be fitted for N95 respirators that seal directly on the face. Facial hair is not permitted when performing fit tests.

In response to the new rule, WSO said, “the City of Toronto security contractors such as GardaWorld, Star Security and ASP Security have removed Sikh security guards from City of Toronto sites.  Some Sikh guards have been laid off while others have been sent to alternative sites.  Such relocations often come with a demotion in both rank and salary. In many instances, individuals who had been hired as supervisors or managers have been demoted to security guards.”

WSO President Tejinder Singh Sidhu said, “It is completely unreasonable that Sikh security guards who served in their positions at the City of Toronto through the height of the pandemic are now being terminated, reassigned, or demoted for not being clean-shaven.”

He said, “Visitors to City of Toronto sites are not required to mask and City staff are also not being asked to be clean shaven.  It is unacceptable that the City of Toronto is unwilling to accommodate over 100 dedicated Sikh security guards who are committed to  doing their jobs.”

Mayor John Tory and the City of Toronto were asked to find a solution for these Sikh security guards and other affected employees.  Those Sikh guards who have been removed must be immediately reinstated, WSO requested. Among those impacted by the interpretation of the policy was Birkawal Singh Anand, who last spring was hired to work security at a local respite centre. He appeared in interviews with various media outlets to be heard.

The City of Toronto was quick to response to WSO’s complaint.

The City issued a statement and mentioned that the City abided by all human rights legislation and required all contractors to also comply with City’s Human Rights and Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy (HRAP) and all applicable human rights legislation.

The City of Toronto apologized to the World Sikh Organization of Canada for any delay in addressing this issue and ensuring security contractors were offering religious accommodations. Speaking to CTV Toronto, Anand said Tory called him and apologized for what happened. He said the mayor also promised “everything will be back to normal.”

The City stated that it formally contacted its contracted security service providers and restated its expectations that they appropriately accommodate any Sikh security guard employees who have requested religious exemptions and reinstate any employee whose employment was terminated, immediately. “The City will not accept any contractors failing to accommodate religious freedoms.”

The City has been investigating a complaint from the World Sikh Organization of Canada that it received in June that some of the City’s contracted security service providers did not offer appropriate accommodation to their employees who maintain facial hair for religious reasons. Contracted employees who maintain facial hair were not fitted for protective N95 respirators required by public health directive in shelter settings where a COVID-19 outbreak is suspected or present.

On July 5 the City issued a statement in which it said, “Effective today, the City of Toronto will immediately permit “under-mask beard covers” as a reasonable accommodation option for individuals who maintain facial hair as a tenet of their faith and are required to be present at City sites with protective N95 respirator requirements. This includes contracted security guards at City shelter locations. Under-mask beard covering is a method of applying a tight-fitting mask over a beard that covers the chin and cheeks, and ties in a knot at the top of the head. An N95 mask is then worn over the cover. The technique, also known as the Singh Thattha Method, is used by many Sikh people in the medical community and has been found to be highly effective in respirator fit testing.”

The City has also communicated its expectations with its security services contractors, including that they provide appropriate accommodation to their employees. The City has confirmed to its contractors that with the option of under-mask beard covers now available, any impacted contracted security guard staff should be reinstated to these City shelter locations immediately and they should be appropriately compensated for any financial impact.