Workers in California have a host of protections available that aren’t available in every state. California was the first state in the country to pass the Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act, which is informally known as the CROWN Act.
The CROWN Act targets grooming policies in the workplace that can put people who have ethnic hair, such as men and women of color, at a disadvantage. It protects the right of employees to wear their hair in a natural style while doing their job duties.
What types of hairstyles does this protect?
This act protects a variety of hairstyles, including locs, braids, twists and other forms of protective styles. These are meant to be race-neutral standards that prevent employers from establishing rules that prohibit styles that are considered part of a person’s culture.
While employers can’t issue discriminatory policies, they can still implement policies that are necessary for hygiene or safety reasons. For example, a company may require longer hair, regardless of style, to be put up so the hair doesn’t get caught in moving machinery. The key here is that the rule must apply to all workers and not only workers with specific hair types or styles.
Workers need to be able to differentiate between a policy that’s discriminatory and one that’s necessary. Anyone who feels they may be dealing with discrimination for any reason, including those that violate the CROWN Act, should explore their options. Working with someone familiar with these matters may be beneficial so they can obtain guidance.
