There are many types of discrimination that can occur in the workplace. If you feel as though you have faced discrimination on the grounds of religion, gender, sexual orientation, race or another protected class, then you need to take legal action posthaste.
All of the above classes have protections under federal law. However, the state of California has made strides to make a wider group of people feel more accepted in the workforce. The C.R.O.W.N. Act, which stands for Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair, recently passed the state’s legislature. It will allow people to assume a wider range of hairstyles at workplaces and schools. The law passed the state’s Senate and will now go to the State Assembly before it can become law.
What would the law accomplish?
For years, people in the workforce have had to adhere to Eurocentric hairstyles. People in the African American communities do not have the same type of hair as Caucasians. They often have to use chemicals or invest in expensive products to make their hair similar to such standards. This not only damages their hair but also forces them to spend money on expenses Caucasians can go without. It also prevents African Americans from maintaining traditional hairstyles, such as twists, braids and afros.
Could the law pass?
New York recently enacted a similar law that protects people’s rights to have whatever hairstyle they please at work. California could be next, but the bill still needs to get through the State Assembly. The state law does have some bearing in the fact that the current law protects people who have religious hairstyles or need to wear religious head coverings. Far too many people lose out on job opportunities for not having the “right” type of hair for the job. Hopefully, the law in California will change soon to be more inclusive.