California Hair Discrimination Lawyers

In California, protections against hair-based discrimination in the workplace are enshrined in the “Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair” (CROWN) Act, which was signed into law on July 3, 2019.

This law amends the state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the California Education Code to specifically prohibit discrimination based on natural hair and hairstyles associated with race. The CROWN Act is a pioneering piece of legislation aimed at addressing racial inequities by recognizing that hair discrimination is a form of racial discrimination.

Key Protections Under the CROWN Act

• Hairstyles: The law protects the right of individuals to wear natural hair and hairstyles traditionally associated with race, such as afros, braids, twists, cornrows, and dreadlocks, among others.
• Workplace Policies: Employers cannot enforce grooming or appearance policies that disproportionately affect individuals of a particular race, such as policies that ban certain hairstyles like braids or dreadlocks.
• Discrimination and Harassment: It’s illegal to discriminate against or harass an employee based on their natural hair or hairstyles.
• Schools: The protections also extend to California schools, prohibiting discrimination against students based on their hair.

Examples of What the CROWN Act Protects Against

• Example 1: An employer has a dress code policy that prohibits employees from wearing dreadlocks. A Black employee who wears dreadlocks for cultural and personal reasons is told to change his hairstyle to retain his job. This would be considered discrimination under the CROWN Act.
• Example 2: A company’s policy requires employees to maintain a “neat and tidy” appearance, which is interpreted by managers to exclude hairstyles like afros or braids. An employee is penalized for wearing her hair in cornrows. This could be seen as a violation of the CROWN Act, as it discriminates based on a hairstyle that is intrinsic to the employee’s racial identity.
• Example 3: During a job interview, a candidate is remarked upon unfavorably because of her natural curly hair, suggesting it looks “unprofessional.” This could lead to a claim of discrimination under the CROWN Act if the comments and the hiring decision reflect bias against natural Black hairstyles.
• Example 4: An employee is subject to jokes and derogatory comments about his hairstyle from coworkers and supervisors. This could amount to harassment based on race and hair, which is prohibited under the CROWN Act.

By recognizing the importance of hair and hairstyles in cultural and racial identity, the CROWN Act provides significant protections and promotes a more inclusive environment in both workplaces and schools across California.

We understand how intimidating it can be to speak out against your employer, a large corporation, or others who may hold power over you. While legal cases can be lengthy and complicated, we will guide you through every step of the process, making sure you understand your options and can achieve a result you’ll be happy with.