Can employers discriminate because of my hair?
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Can employers discriminate because of my hair?
Last week I was hired as a waiter at a restaurant. New Link Destination
day I went in for my first day of training and was told I could not work there because my hair is in dreadlocks. In the interview she said as long as it was kept and in a bun it would be fine it always is. And looks professional then hired me. She said her manager told her she couldn’t hire me. I have my hair for religious reasons and I feel extremely discriminated against.
Asked on November 29, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Colorado
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Most employmenr relationships are "at will, which means tthat is unless doinf so would violate the terms of any applicable union agreemnt or employment contract. Aslo, no form of legally actionable discrimintion chat a company can set the condtions of the workplace much as it sees fit. In this regard, there must be no discrimnation in the workplace due to, among other things, an emplyees religon. Accordingly, unless it would be an undue hardship on an employer's business operations, they must reasonably accommodate a worker's religious beliefs or practices. This applies to such things as dress or grooming practices that an employee has for religious reasons, which might include wearing certain hairstyles or facial hair (such as Rastafarian dreadlocks). That having been said, courts have ruled differently on this issue depending upon the circumstances. In order to be sure of your rights you can contact your state's department of labor and/or speak with a local employment law attorney.
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