NYC Hairstyle Anti-Bias Law Cues Shift

New York City became the first municipality to issue a legal guidance that race-based hair discrimination is prohibited, giving employers an opportunity to re-evaluate grooming policies and their merit in the workplace.

• Race vs. Religion: Religious bias is much easier to prove in court, and has been supported by a number of rulings in favor of the worker, but civil rights agencies say that race-based hair discrimination is still illegal.

• Employer Opportunity: Management attorneys said it’s an ideal time for employers to closely examine workplace grooming policies and how they’re being enforced. Paige Smith has the story.

New York City has issued guidance banning race-based hairstyle discrimination.

Photographer: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

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