Race-based hairstyle discrimination is unlawful under New Jersey law, and employees in Egg Harbor Township are fully protected. Employers cannot impose grooming standards or appearance policies that target natural hairstyles or culturally significant hair practices. This includes locs, braids, cornrows, Afros, twists, and other styles often tied to Black identity, as well as religious practices such as uncut hair worn by Sikhs, Muslims, Jews, Native Americans, or Rastafarians.
If your employer disciplined you, denied a promotion, demoted, or terminated you due to your hairstyle, you may have a valid legal claim. These actions can violate the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), which bars workplace rules that disproportionately impact racial or religious communities—even if the policies appear neutral on their face.
The New Jersey Commission on Human Rights has clarified that no business, including restaurants, retailers, or hospitality establishments, may deny entry, services, or equal treatment based on how someone wears their hair. Schools in Egg Harbor Township are also subject to these rules. They cannot force students to alter hairstyles or issue discipline for wearing styles aligned with their cultural or ethnic identity.
Retaliation for reporting this type of discrimination is also prohibited. If your employer cuts your hours, alters your job duties, writes up false performance concerns, or fires you after raising these issues, those are forms of illegal retaliation. You are protected when you speak up.
In some cases, comments or actions related to hairstyle may escalate into sexual harassment, particularly if the remarks are targeted, repeated, or inappropriate in nature. These overlapping forms of discrimination can support multiple claims and should be handled with care.
These claims must be brought within strict legal deadlines. Speak with an employment attorney serving Egg Harbor Township as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin building a case.
Workplace hair discrimination is illegal, and employees in Egg Harbor Township have legal options when employers violate these protections. NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC represents individuals facing race-based hair discrimination, grooming policy violations, cultural or religious bias, and workplace retaliation.
Our firm handles cases under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, including those involving discriminatory dress codes, targeted discipline, demotions, or terminations connected to hairstyle. We also address cases where harassment or retaliation occurred after employees objected to such policies.
If you’ve been affected by these practices in Egg Harbor Township, we can help you pursue compensation, policy changes, or other legal remedies. Our attorneys focus solely on employment law and are prepared to file claims, negotiate settlements, or go to court when necessary.
Contact NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC to speak with an attorney about your workplace rights and next steps.