Employment Discrimination based on Hair Style

[Parent Advocate]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Illinois

It amazes me how a person who wants to work, is discriminated against, because of their hair .
I am a single African American parent. I have dread locks. I work in the Hospitality Industry, in Chicago (waitstaff; bartender; prep cook).
I recently applied to a Hospitality Company in the Chicago area and was denied employment, despite my 20+ yrs. experience, because of my dread locks.
In the hospitality industry, you must wear your hair pulled back and also pinned (if necessary). My dread locks are long enough where I can pull my hair back in a pony tail. But not too long, as to be too much hair. My hair looks no different than many other african american women, who have their hair braided (french braids, micro braids, etc).
I wear my hair in a tasteful and professional manner, often receiving compliments, for the way it's styled.
What's the problem with dread locks?
I was told by the Company I was applying to that "our clients will not accept your dread locks and will send you home". They let me fill out the application and then told me this disturbing news. I questioned why? but of course, I was given an evasive answer.
I stated that I know that customers have a right to accept or reject anyone they employ, but I still don't see where the problem lies.
I am a struggling single parent, with a special needs child, trying to work and support my 2 children, without welfare. Having lived in Texas for 15 yrs., dread locks was a hair style I chose, because of the low cost involved with maintenance of my hair. And because of the climate and the need to wash your hair more often. Being that I choose not to chemically treat my hair, I found dread locks to be my favorite choice.
There are many reasons why people wear dread locks, including cultural reasons.
African Americans are not the only people who wear them.
But for whatever reason I chose dread locks, I know I was discriminated against, because of the negative stigma attached to African Americans who have dread locks.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Hair is not a protected class.

And drop the "OH woe is me, I'm black so it MUST be discrimination" crap. It doesn't play.

 

[Beth3]

This isn't race discrimination; it's about the image the client companies wish to project. It'd be no different if you were Caucasion and had dyed your hair pink. I've seen a few young women on whom that looks attractive but I expect they'd be rejected for the same reason you were.

Same goes for facial piercings, nose rings, visible tatoos, earings on male candidates, and so on regardless of the race or national origin of the candidate. Many employers just don't go for that when the person will be in the public eye or have customer contact.

It's your choice. You can either change your hairstyle to something a bit more mainstream or understand that you're going to limit your employment options.

 

[General Stoner]

Hair is not a protected class.

And drop the "OH woe is me, I'm black so it MUST be discrimination" crap. It doesn't play.

Amen to that.

 

[Parent Advocate]

Employment Discrimination based on hair style

Hair is not a protected class.

And drop the "OH woe is me, I'm black so it MUST be discrimination" crap. It doesn't play.

Oh my, I see you don't completely read a post, before you make a stupid comment! I never said I was discriminated because of my race. Read it again. I said it was because of the stigma attached to dread locks.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Oh my, I see you don't completely read a post, before you make a stupid comment! I never said I was discriminated because of my race. Read it again. I said it was because of the stigma attached to dread locks.

I can read just fine and you are a liar.

because of the negative stigma attached to African Americans who have dread locks.

That was your exact quote. Want to keep playing this game?