Hair Texture Discrimination: The Law, CROWN Act, and Solutions to Employment Regulations in the Workplace

Many employers enforce dress and grooming codes to restrict personal appearance in the workplace. These regulations have historically discriminated against Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)—especially those who wear natural hair and protective hairstyles. While employers can monitor personal appearance in the workplace, whether live or virtual, there are limitations to enforcements of dress and grooming codes.      

This continuing legal education seminar provides attorneys an overview of federal, state, and local laws related to hair texture discrimination in the workplace. Additionally, there will be  discussions of the CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act – enacted in New York, California, New Jersey, Washington, Colorado, among other states – Title VII and other laws that prohibit hair texture discrimination in the workplace. The program will also offer best strategies and tips for attorneys when considering and creating employment regulations that respect both personal appearance in the workplace and the law.

Employment law attorneys, civil litigation attorneys (who represent clients in discrimination lawsuits), human resource professionals, judges and students of all experience levels, will benefit from attending this program.  

 Learning Objectives:

• Federal, State, and Local Laws Related to Hair Texture Discrimination in the Workplace

• Title VII and Washington DC Antidiscrimination laws

• The CROWN Act State laws

• The CROWN Act Local laws

• CROWN Act: What Attorneys Need to Know

• States where the CROWN Act has been enacted

• Federal CROWN Act pending in the UNITED States Congress 

• Solutions for Employment Regulations in the Workplace That Respect Personal Appearance and the Law

• Best practices for management employment law attorneys

• Best practices for defense employment law attorney