Employees have the right to work without having to worry about discrimination. It surprises some people to realize just how deep-seated some discriminatory behavior is. For example, some people are faced with discrimination by others because of the texture of their hair.
Certain hairstyles, such as those traditionally associated with Black people, are often at the heart of discrimination. The situation has become so prevalent that lawmakers are stepping in to put an end to it.
CROWN bill reintroduced in the federal legislature
The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) bill has been reintroduced into the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill has 84 co-sponsors and can go a long way in protecting people who have natural hairstyles.
Some of the hairstyles this act would protect include Bantu knots, dreadlocks, cornrows, twists and Afros. This can help people who have tightly coiled or curly hair to wear protective hairstyles when they’re working without having to fear negative employment actions because of it.
This bill hasn’t become law yet. In fact, this bill has stalled out before, but there’s some hope that this can become a federal law that protects workers across the country.
Whether it’s because of their hairstyle or another reason, employees shouldn’t ever face discrimination. Those who do have the right to speak up to stop the behavior. When they do this, employers should take appropriate steps to address the discrimination and prevent it in the future.