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Two women are outraged after they say they were denied jobs at Six Flags because of their dreadlocks in Largo, Md., an area with a 93 percent African American population.
Janet Bello, 23, (pictured above left) says when she applied for a part-time job at Six Flags in Largo, she was told her "locks" hairstyle disqualified her from employment.
She says a supervisor told her management is adhering strictly this year to a years-old corporate grooming policy that considers dreadlocks to be an extreme hairstyle. Bello considers the characterization to be offensive:
"I think it's outrageous, and I really think it's sad. ... I think Six Flags can literally, excuse my French, go to hell."
ABC 7 News obtained a copy of Six Flags' grooming standards for employees, which states that the company does not permit "any hairstyle that detracts or takes away from Six Flags' theme."
Not sure what the Six Flags' theme is or how dreadlocks could detract or not detract from that theme.
A spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union believes that defining locked hair as inherently unprofessional is racially insensitive at best -- and potentially discriminatory at worst.
Sixty-year-old Jackie Sherrill (pictured above right) says she worked at Six Flags last summer and received a letter earlier this year asking her to come back. She says when a supervisor saw that Sherrill had locks, though, she was told she would not be welcome back unless she changed her appearance -- despite the fact that she had the same hairstyle last year.
Six Flags issued a statement to ABC News:
"Six Flags enforces a conservative grooming policy across all parks. The policy does not permit certain hairstyles such as variations in hair colors, dreadlocks, partially shaved heads, tails, and hairstyles that impair vision. Braided hair is allowed but must be in neat, even rows and without beads or other ornaments."
The ACLU says it had similar inquiries about Six Flags Largo's dreadlocks policy in 2006.
ABC 7 News obtained a copy of Six Flags' grooming standards for employees, which states that the company does not permit "any hairstyle that detracts or takes away from Six Flags' theme."
Not sure what the Six Flags' theme is or how dreadlocks could detract or not detract from that theme.
A spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union believes that defining locked hair as inherently unprofessional is racially insensitive at best -- and potentially discriminatory at worst.
Sixty-year-old Jackie Sherrill (pictured above right) says she worked at Six Flags last summer and received a letter earlier this year asking her to come back. She says when a supervisor saw that Sherrill had locks, though, she was told she would not be welcome back unless she changed her appearance -- despite the fact that she had the same hairstyle last year.
Six Flags issued a statement to ABC News:
"Six Flags enforces a conservative grooming policy across all parks. The policy does not permit certain hairstyles such as variations in hair colors, dreadlocks, partially shaved heads, tails, and hairstyles that impair vision. Braided hair is allowed but must be in neat, even rows and without beads or other ornaments."
The ACLU says it had similar inquiries about Six Flags Largo's dreadlocks policy in 2006.
Even in 2010, with an African American president, Six Flags is not the first corporate company to do this, and, sadly, probably won't be the last. In 2000, Federal Express Corporation, better known as FedEx, fired several of its New York employees who refused to cut their dreadlocks.
The employees cited religious expression, but FedEx showed them the door. In 2006, FedEx reached a settlement that included recognizing dreadlocks worn for religious reasons.
The employees cited religious expression, but FedEx showed them the door. In 2006, FedEx reached a settlement that included recognizing dreadlocks worn for religious reasons.
In North America, it is the right of an employer to enforce grooming standards that comply with the image the company wants to portray to the public, including long hair for men, shaved heads and colorful hair. The law will typically land on the side of on an employer if the hairstyle is being worn for fashionable reasons as opposed to religious ones.
Do you think it's fair to discriminate against employees for the hairstyles they wear, particularly natural styles like braids, shaved heads and dreadlocks?
Comments: (284)
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By: shay on 4/26/2010 7:02PM
I think if the dreds were neat and clean then the ladies should have been hired. I read that Six Flags agrees with braids that are in even rows. I guess this is french braids or corn rows. If this style is acceptable then what is the problem with dreds.
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By: shay on 4/26/2010 7:11PM
A lot of people responding are saying that the ladies locks look nasty and unkempt. I don't think so and that's not the point anyway. Six Flags said that locks are an extreme hairstyle and they don't accept it. It doesn't matter if they are clean or dirty. I'm glad ABC doesn't feel the same way or Whoopi Goldberg wouldn't have a job on 'The View'.
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By: carla ford on 4/21/2010 12:12PM
As an African-American female who has worn braids (without any incidents) to work for several employers, I empathize with the two women; however, the younger lady's locks look plain raggedy and ungroomed.
If this young lady went to look for a job with her hair like that, she should've been denied employment; however, the interviewer didn't need to tell her why.
Simply allow her to go through with the process like anyone else, but just don't give her the job. It is illegal to discourage someone from even applying for a job because of their appearance. But if someone chooses to show up looking ungroomed, they simply should not be hired.
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By: jeromequigley on 4/21/2010 2:08PM
I agree Carla. I was denied a job unil I (as a man)cut my hair. Because even in most job's today men can not have long hair, it's one thing if it is a safety issue but I am not talking about that. It is because it is looked at as un-professional. Do I like it hell no, so I have 2 choices, cut my hair or move on to a different company. These are private companies and can set their standards any way they see fit for the most part!! I get so sick of people crying a river cause they were denied a job for this reason or that. Guess what, we all get denied for jobs on things we don't think are fair, SUCK IT UP AND MOVE ON!!!! And like Carla pointed out, those dread's look dreadful!! Also funny thing how on the article I saw on the Loop about how a white cop was forced to go on desk duty because he came to work with cornrowes and every one on there was all for it. Cause he had no business wearing "that" kind of hair style cause he was white. The double standard that goes on is just amazing!!! Companies are about image, You can either follow the guidelines that they set for ALL employees or you can get a job some where else. Peaple need to put on their Big Boy/Girl panties and grow the hell up!!!! We all do things we don't like to get and keep a job, welcome to the real world!!!
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By: Justifyed on 4/22/2010 12:54PM
Exactly... My sister in law has the most beautiful locks I have ever seen, even when she experiments with color, they are neat and always look good.
Now I have seen some people (men and women) who look like they just decided not to comb their hair, and it looks sloppy and I wouldn't hire them either.
Look @ Jeff Johnson, from BET, he is very well groomed and his dreads are very neat and he is clean cut, but look @ Lil Wayne...he better be glad he's a rapper, because he would have a hard time getting hired anywhere.
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By: Mark on 4/24/2010 7:25AM
You are NOT African-American unless you were BORN in africa and later became an american which i doubt. You are BLACK!
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By: Melindannah on 4/24/2010 10:52AM
WOW! There are some really good comments here. But I think I agree with Carla, Angela, and Mrs DMS the most. The bottom line? Does your appearence (not just hair) coincide with the company protocol? If not, then comply if you want the job and look however you want on your own time. Hey Jeromequigley, you can keep that hair and the job if you become a musician. Good luck with that bud.
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By: tehutitongue on 8/30/2010 3:59PM
Dear Mark,
Black is not a nationality, it's a color. I don't know any black people, but I know thousands of brown ones. African-American is a much more accurate description of our people in this country, than "Black." Black is a label assigned to a slave who cannot trace his ancestral lineage. In this country we have been lableled Black, Colored, Negro, etc. But based on your comments, sir, we would call you a Negro.
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By: TJ on 4/21/2010 12:53PM
funny my hair is not locked, it is in two strand twist. I was applying for a job as a grocery store merchandiser. I basically would have been putting up the coupon machines at the store. My hair was freshly done, very modest and conservative, neat, clean. I had spoke with the hiring agent several times, we had wonderful conversations on the phone. She even told me how excited she was to meet me. When I walked into the store for the interview she was shocked, she could not hide her feelings, her whole tone facial expressions & body language, instantly tensed up. She refused to interview me civilly, kept the pervious job candidate there, speaking with her and hugging her. I was outraged, I did not file a complaint there was no way to prove anything. It was a sad, and heartbreaking learning experience for me. Mainstream employers no matter what the job description is, simply are not ready to accept people with non chemically treated hair. It's a shame and disgrace. As long as your hair is neat, clean, well manicured what is the problem? It's my God giving hair, how can it cause any issues for anyone else? I guess to some natural hair means you are uneducated, militant, unorthodox or a criminal or something. Glad I work from home now. This is a shame for these two woman. Welcome to the new form of discrimination for people who choose for whatever reason to keep their hair chemically unaltered.
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By: Rose L on 4/22/2010 7:14AM
I wear my hair natural, have had it this way for the past 20 years. I've used chemicals in the past, most women of color have, but it does not take away from our ethnicity.
No matter whether it's cooperate America or otherwise, we should strive to look the best we can on ANYONE'S job. If you have to be told about your appearance, then you need to check yourself.
I love my natural hair so much that I take time to make sure it looks neat and sharp! I would never put myself in the position of having anyone tell me about my appearance. Where is the pride in that?
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