Hairstyle Discrimination in Atlantic County: Understanding the CROWN Act and Your Rights
Personal appearance should never be a barrier to professional opportunity. Yet in many workplaces, individuals—particularly Black employees—have faced discrimination based on natural hairstyles such as afros, braids, twists, and locs. If you’re working in Atlantic County and believe you’ve been treated unfairly due to your hairstyle or hair texture, you may be protected under New Jersey’s anti-discrimination laws.
What Is Hairstyle Discrimination?
Hairstyle discrimination involves treating someone unfairly in hiring, promotions, discipline, or termination based on natural hair texture or culturally significant styles. This form of bias disproportionately affects people of African descent and is rooted in harmful stereotypes about professionalism and conformity.
Examples of Hairstyle Discrimination
- Being told to change or “tame” your natural hair to keep your job
- Barred from wearing braids, twists, or locs in the workplace
- Unfair performance reviews tied to appearance
- Exclusion from client-facing roles due to hairstyle
- Firing or disciplining employees over “grooming policy” violations targeting natural hairstyles
Legal Protections: The CROWN Act and NJLAD
New Jersey was among the first states to adopt the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair), which expanded the definition of race under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) to include traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles.
This law makes it illegal for employers to implement grooming or appearance policies that disproportionately affect individuals based on their natural hair or culturally specific styles.
Your Rights as an Employee
Under NJLAD and the CROWN Act, you have the right to:
- Wear natural hairstyles and protective styles at work
- Be free from harassment or ridicule related to your hair
- Apply for jobs and promotions without pressure to alter your appearance
- Report discrimination without fear of retaliation
What to Do If You Face Hairstyle Discrimination
- Document everything: Keep records of comments, incidents, policies, or disciplinary actions related to your hairstyle.
- Report internally: File a complaint with HR or management under your company’s anti-discrimination policy.
- Seek legal counsel: If internal complaints are ignored or retaliation occurs, an attorney can help you file a claim and seek justice.
Compensation and Legal Remedies
- Back pay and lost benefits
- Reinstatement or promotion
- Emotional distress damages
- Punitive damages in egregious cases
- Attorney’s fees and court costs
How Castronovo & McKinney Can Help
Castronovo & McKinney, Employment Law Attorneys proudly represent employees in Atlantic County who have experienced discrimination based on their natural hair or protective styles. Their legal team understands the cultural significance of this issue and will work to hold employers accountable for outdated, biased, and illegal practices.
Contact Castronovo & McKinney, LLC Today
No one should have to change who they are to succeed at work. If you’ve been targeted because of your hairstyle, contact Castronovo & McKinney today for a confidential consultation and let them help you protect your rights and your heritage.
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71 Maple Ave
Morristown, NJ 07960
Phone: 973.920.7888
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New York, NY 10170
Phone: 646.755.3781
Fax: 646.755.3781
