Despite laws seeking to protect workers from racially targeted discrimination at work, racial bias and discrimination remains a persistent problem affecting employees across Georgia and throughout the United States. One form of racism includes firing, or not hiring black people from jobs, because of the texture and the style of their hair. In some instances, cutting or straightening natural curls, dreadlocks and braids has been a condition of employment.
Fortunately, this is changing as several states and cities have begun enacting legislation that bans race-based hair discrimination. New York and California have made such discriminatory conduct illegal, and several other states have proposed legislation.
States without such legislation, such as Georgia, however, may still assert race discrimination pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, or national origin. If a policy unfairly targets black workers, it may be possible to file an employment discrimination claim.
For more information or if you believe you may have suffered any form of employment discrimination, please contact the experienced Atlanta employment discrimination lawyers at Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP for an immediate case evaluation.