Many people know that employees can face discrimination. Race, religion and gender may immediately come to mind for many when they think of discrimination, but what about hair and hairstyles? Workplace discrimination based on natural hair and hairstyles, especially against individuals of African-American descent, has happened, and New York City is taking steps to prevent it in the future.
According to recent reports, bans have been put in place that prevent discrimination based on hair and hairstyles at places of employment and in public places, like schools and restaurants. This type of discrimination predominately affects black individuals, but the new policies protect any individual whose hairstyle has a connection with his or her ethnicity. The idea of discrimination over hair and hairstyles may be new to some individuals, but others have been the victims of such mistreatment.
One woman in another state indicated that she was dismissed from her position as a news anchor after she wore braids on the air. Although, her former employer denies that her termination came about in relation for her hair. The New York City Commission is already assessing several cases involving black employees who claim they were mistreated due to their hairstyles.
Workplace discrimination can come in numerous forms, and though many discriminatory actions are not covered by law everywhere, actions such as this one in New York give hope for change and better protections. If employees believe that they have been discriminated against while on the job, they may want to determine whether they have reason to move forward with legal claims. Gaining evaluations of their cases from experienced attorneys could allow them to find their best options for addressing wrongdoing.
