Louisiana Prohibits Hairstyle Discrimination

Louisiana has enacted legislation (House Bill 1083) that expressly prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals based on their natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle. House Bill 1083 takes effect August 1, 2022 and applies to employers with 20 or more employees.

The Details:

Effective August 1, 2022, employers with 20 or more employees are expressly prohibited from engaging in the following based on an individual’s natural, protective or cultural hairstyle:

• Intentionally failing or refusing to hire or discharging any individual, or otherwise intentionally discriminating against any individual with respect to compensation, or terms, conditions or privileges of employment.
• Intentionally limiting, segregating or classifying applicants or employees in any way that would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities, or otherwise adversely affect the individual's status as an employee.

The law’s definition of natural, protective or cultural hairstyle includes but isn’t limited to afros, twists, locs, braids, cornrow braids, Bantu knots, curls, and hair styled to protect hair texture or for cultural significance.

Next Steps:

• Review dress codes, appearance policies and training to ensure compliance with House Bill 1083.
• If your policy simply indicates that employees must maintain kempt hair, consider clarifying that kempt means that the hair is clean and well combed or arranged, and that employees can comply with a variety of hairstyles that meet those criteria.