Worker Sues In-N-Out Burger Over His Hairstyle

A former employee of In-N-Out Burger is suing the chain for at least $3 million over what he calls discrimination related to his hairstyle, reports SFGate. Elijah Obeng, 21, who is Black, says he was unjustly fired and is seeking seven-figure damages. In his suit, Obeng says he worked for the chain four years and abided by its dress code requiring employees to keep their hair tucked inside company-issued hats, per the Los Angeles Times. Obeng says he was able to so by braiding his hair, but then ran into friction over his sideburns.

The dress code also stipulates that male employees be clean-shaven, but Obeng's lawsuit makes the case that his sideburns are related to his cultural identity and is thus unfair to Black workers. He says a supervisor, in front of other workers, sent him home to shave, leaving him "publicly humiliated." Instead of shaving, he texted he would return for his next shift, then was fired a few days later, per NBC Los Angeles. The company told him it was because of previous write-ups, but Obeng blames the dress code policy. The suit alleges the policy violates California's CROWN Act, short for Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair. The chain has not commented on the lawsuit. (More In-N-Out stories.)