Some forms of employer race discrimination are obvious. The company may outright refuse to hire certain types of employees or may have a glass ceiling in place. Workers who belong to certain racial groups may never move above entry-level positions within the company. Management might turn a blind eye to hostile and abusive behavior targeting certain workers on the basis of their race.
Other times, racial discrimination is subtle. Even when employers do not overtly display discriminatory behaviors, racially-biased policies can affect the careers and advancement opportunities of those who belong to certain races. One of the most common and subtle ways that race discrimination can establish a toehold at a company is through grooming and appearance policies.
Organizations may have rules in their employee handbooks that put unfair burdens on certain workers.
How grooming rules negatively affect certain employees
Many employers want their workers to look professional. They may have standards regarding personal appearance and clothing. Those rules are not innately discriminatory but can very easily become a form of discrimination.
For example, imposing specific hairstyle requirements or prohibiting common protective hairstyles creates an unfair burden on workers based on their race. Those who have naturally wavy or curly hair might have to pay to have professional straightening or relaxing performed weekly or bi-weekly.
Not only is that expensive, but it exposes workers to potentially dangerous chemicals. Forbidding protective hairstyles in favor of traditional professional appearance standards can put an unfair burden on Black workers and others whose natural hair type is wavy or curly.
Policies prohibiting beards can also lead to unfair discrimination. Darker-complected male employees often have more skin irritation after shaving. No-beard policies put workers in a difficult position where they have to choose between physical comfort and company expectations.
Any policy that puts more of a burden on one race than another is a potential source of discrimination. Workers who lose their jobs or miss out on advancement opportunities because of their race may have reason to assert that a company discriminated against them.
Recognizing that grooming rules can be a form of workplace racial discrimination can help workers stand up for themselves. Employees who fight back against unfair appearance standards can potentially change company policies for the better.