New York City Protects Your Right to Natural Hair
New York City has passed laws protecting people from discrimination on the basis of their hair or natural hairstyle as a form of race discrimination. New York state later extended the NYC protections against hair discrimination to be statewide. While the protections apply to all individuals, the spirit of the law is to protect black people against being mistreated based on their hair. The NYC law specifically protects individuals from being mistreated based on their hairstyle.
Workers can have their hair natural, uncut, untrimmed, and treated or untreated, and can wear their hair as Bantu knots, fades, Afros, braids, twists, cornrows, and locs. If you are told that your natural hair is not acceptable for the workplace, you may have a claim against the employer for racial discrimination.
The new NYC anti-hairstyle discrimination laws were the first of their kind in the country, and are based on the principal that hair is inherent to one’s race. Therefore, hair is protected like race under the law prohibiting discrimination on the base of race, national origin, etc.” Employers in New York can be held liable for discrimination based on hairstyle.
Watch Video: Your Right to Natural Hair in the Workplace within New York City
New York State expands on NYC protections and enacts statewide law against Hair Discrimination.
Watch Video: Workplaces that target and mistreat employees for these hairstyles can now be more directly pursued for employment discrimination across New York State.
If your employer has discriminated against you on the basis of your race or appearance, rather than ability to perform the job, we can help protect your rights. Call an employment discrimination attorney now for a free consultation.
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If you have been fired or mistreated at work because of hairstyle, Afro or cornrows, you have rights. You need the right employment attorney who is experienced in protecting your rights against employers in NYC. Contact us to schedule your consultation or Call 24/7 646-698-8990