Former Employee of In-N-Out Files Lawsuit for $3 Million, Alleging Discrimination Over Haircut Style
Firing Over Hair: Elijah Obeng Takes In-N-Out Burger to Court
Get ready to dive into a heated legal battle! Elijah Obeng, a 21-year-old ex-employee, is suing In-N-Out Burger for at least $3 million, alleging racial discrimination over his hairstyle. According to the lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, this racially charged incident may cause us to question In-N-Out's compliance with the CROWN Act.
Obeng, a Black man, claims he suffered severe emotional distress due to the fast-food giant's inflexible grooming policies. The controversy centers around a dress code that requires employees to wear company-issued hats with their hair tucked in, while men are required to be clean-shaven. As Obeng's hair grew, he began receiving orders to change his hairstyle, but management took issue with his side burns and his decision to wear braids. He felt these requests were biased and disrespectful to his cultural identity (1,2).
However, In-N-Out has yet to comment on the lawsuit, leaving us in the dark about their stance.
Workplace Woes
Obeng worked at the Compton In-N-Out location for nearly four years until management began to criticize his work and deny him opportunities for promotions. A turning point occurred in May 2024, when his supervisor sent him home to shave his sideburns and then return. This public humiliation led to Obeng being fired shortly after (1). The company cited prior write-ups as the reason for his termination, but Obeng believes it was a discriminatory action in retaliation to his resistance against the dress code policies.
The CROWN Act and Beyond
The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act) prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of an employee's hairstyle or hair texture. If In-N-Out's policies are found to target hairstyles commonly associated with Black cultural identity, such as braids, it could be argued that these policies violate the spirit of the CROWN Act. The lawsuit does not explicitly mention the CROWN Act, so the outcome will depend on how the court interprets In-N-Out's policies in relation to racial discrimination laws and the cultural significance of Obeng's hairstyle.
More to Read
- Opinion ### Granderson: Why Can't Young Men Enjoy Their Hair?
- The Los Angeles Times
- CBS Los Angeles
Texas school legally punished Black student over hairstyle, judge says
Federal judge takes California prison agency to court over beards
Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing story and the future implications for workplaces and their grooming policies!
- Obeng's lawsuit against In-N-Out Burger raises questions about the fast-food chain's adherence to the CROWN Act, a California law that prohibits employers from discriminating based on hairstyle or hair texture.
- If the court finds that In-N-Out's grooming policies target hairstyles commonly associated with Black cultural identity, such as braids, it could be argued that these policies violate the spirit of the CROWN Act.
- The outcome of Obeng's lawsuit could potentially impact business practices in California, especially in the restaurant industry where grooming policies may need to be reassessed to ensure compliance with the CROWN Act.