Hair Length Discrimination Archives

August 2, 2017 by mjpospis

Practicing Nazirite Sufficiently Alleges Religion-Based Hostile Work Environment Claim

In Brooks v. City of Utica, No. 16-cv-1427, 2017 WL 3242273 (N.D.N.Y. July 28, 2017), the court ruled on claims asserted by plaintiff – a firefighter-paramedic and practicing Nazirite – of discrimination based on religion, retaliation, failure to accommodate religious beliefs, and hostile work environment. Plaintiff’s religious observance as a Nazirite required him to keep…

Practicing Nazirite’s Retaliation Claim, Arising From Mistreatment After Requesting Long hair Reasonable Accommodation, Survives Dismissal

In Brooks v. City of Utica, No. 16-cv-1427, 2017 WL 3242273 (N.D.N.Y. July 28, 2017), the court ruled on claims asserted by plaintiff – a firefighter-paramedic and practicing Nazirite – of discrimination based on religion, retaliation, failure to accommodate religious beliefs, and hostile work environment. Plaintiff’s religious observance as a Nazirite required him to keep…

Selective Enforcement of Employee Hair Policy Gives Rise to Plausible Gender Discrimination Claims

In Viscecchia v. Alrose Allegria LLC, No. 14-CV-6064 JFB SIL, 2015 WL 4602729 (E.D.N.Y. July 30, 2015), plaintiff asserted claims of gender discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York State Human Rights Law. Specifically, the defendant fired plaintiff – a line cook – after he failed to comply…