Six employees of courier major DHL Worldwide Express (India) were asked not to report to work. The reason? Failing to shave. They have been told they can resume work only if they sign an undertaking that they will stick to the company’s grooming standards. Among them are three Muslims—Aabess Khan, Javed Hashmi and Sadique—who are observing a fast for the holy month of Ramzan. In a meeting on October 31 at the Ballard Pier branch, Service Centre Manager Munish Parashar told employees they were expected to be well-groomed. On November 3, he questioned Khan about his beard. Khan cited Ramzan but was asked to leave the premises anyway.Khan, a courier with DHL since 1997, said he had not shaved during Ramzan for the past six years and it in no way affected his work. ‘‘I won’t be able to discontinue this custom at this stage,’’ Khan wrote to Rajendra Ghag, employees manager.Hashmi and Ahmed, from the same branch, also refused, citing Ramzan. Another worker, Sachin Vallokaran of the Andheri branch, protested that he had a right to decide whether he wanted to grow a beard.Two others though clean-shaven, were asked to shave and denied work. Ghag said DHL was not opposed to those with full-grown beards, just those looking shabby. ‘‘Ours is an inter-face company and we require staff to look presentable. It is also a transport standardising process requirement,’’ he said. He added that this was a fallout of the suspension of five persons for participating in the May 21, 2003, nationwide strike for which an inquiry is on.
