Federal Legislation Banning Hairstyle Discrimination Introduced

A growing number of states are considering or have adopted laws prohibiting hair style discrimination. Advocates for the ban explain that black Americans have been discriminated against based on how their hair grows naturally, and that such a law is necessary to ensure protection.

Discriminatory incidents have occurred across the country, in schools, at sporting events and in workplaces. This includes forcing athletes to cut their braids off before competing, and students being prohibited from participating in graduation activities unless their hair was cut.

Hairstyle discrimination and the C.R.O.W.N. Act

Employees across the nation have also been discriminated against by workplaces requiring hair be worn short or straightened due to a bias that natural hair looks messy or unprofessional. Recently, Colorado became the fifth states to adopt legislation banning hair style discrimination. The C.R.O.W.N. Act – an acronym for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” was also introduced in the United States Congress.

The proposed legislation would ban discrimination based on natural hairstyles.

Currently, claims of discrimination against employees based on hairstyle may form the basis of race discrimination, or in some situations religious or national origin discrimination, pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Have you been discriminated against at work?

Hopefully, the C.R.O.W.N. Act will soon become federal law. If you have faced any form of workplace discrimination, it is crucial to fight back.

For more information, please contact our experienced Atlanta employment discrimination lawyers at Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP for an immediate case evaluation.