California Will Protect People Of Color From Hair Discrimination

You Have Rights As A Worker. I Will Help Protect Them.
Denis ZilberbergJuly 12, 2019Discrimination

Despite the heightened awareness of what discrimination looks like, we know that it is still prevalent in the workplace. Sometimes, it shows up in unexpected ways. At the Kaufman Law Firm, we are dedicated to protecting workers who need a Los Angeles discrimination attorney. Discrimination in the workplace can lead to significant emotional and financial damages, so let us get to work on your case. Today, we want to discuss measures California is taking to protect people of colour from being discriminated against because of their natural hair.

How Is Hair Tied To Discrimination?

Most people know that discrimination is illegal in the workplace. There are groups that are protected by state and federal law. It is illegal to discriminate against someone because of their:

  • Race or color
  • Ethnicity or nationality
  • Gender or sexual identity
  • Sexual orientation
  • Disability
  • Marital status
  • Religion (or lack of religion)
  • Age

During the latest reporting year in the United States, there were over 84,000 instances of workplace discrimination reported to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. That does not include all of the complaints handled on the state level.

However, California is about to take protections to the next level with the CROWN Act. CROWN stands for – “creating a respectful and open workplace for natural hair.”

Many people do not realize that black people often face discrimination in the workplace due to their natural hair. They are encouraged or are pressured to avoid wearing culturally relevant and historical hairstyles such as Afros, twists, braids, cornrows, and dreadlocks.

The CROWN Act, which has been passed by both the California Senate and Assembly, would make it illegal to “punish black employees and students for their hairstyles.” The bill, if signed by the governor, would extend protections against discrimination that are already in place under the Fair Employment and Housing Act in California. A similar ban on natural hair discrimination was recently enacted in New York City, and other lawmakers around the country are considering similar measures.

Discrimination in the workplace, in any form, is harmful to a person’s economic, psychological, and emotional well-being. In many places, workers do not report instances of discrimination because they think their employer will retaliate against them. Retaliation is also illegal under state and federal law.

Let Us Help You Through This Today

If you think you have been the victim of discrimination in the workplace, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At the Kaufman Law Firm, you can count on having a knowledgeable and experienced team by your side to navigate your case. We will work to investigate what happened so we can secure the compensation you deserve. This can include:

  • Recovery of lost wages and benefits
  • Reinstatement to your job if desired
  • Court costs and legal fees
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Possible punitive damages against those responsible

If you need a Los Angeles discrimination lawyer, you can contact us for a consultation by clicking here or calling us at 818-990-1999.

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