For decades here in the United States, employees of certain racial backgrounds have been unfairly discriminated against in the workplace. Unfortunately, this behavior still persists to this day. Though there are laws in place designed to protect these employees from racial discrimination, certain employees still find themselves discriminated against due to certain features typically associated with certain races, such as hair types and styles. As a result, Virginia implemented a significant amendment to its Human Rights Act by enacting the CROWN Act, short for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act.”
Please continue reading and reach out to our dedicated Chesterfield County race discrimination lawyer to learn more about the CROWN Act and how our firm can help if you believe you’ve been discriminated against in the workplace. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What specific protections are offered under the CROWN Act?
Prior to the CROWN Act, race-based discrimination was prohibited under the Human Rights Act, however, specific terms regarding discrimination based on traits “historically associated with race” were not included. The CROWN Act specifically prohibits discrimination based on hair type, hair texture, and “protective hairstyles” such as twists or braids.
Therefore, if you are an employee and you were discriminated against because of any of these traits, or you were denied a job offer because of these traits, there is a strong chance you will have a discrimination claim against your employer or prospective employer.
What can I do if my rights are violated under the Act?
If your rights have been violated under the Act, you should strongly consider hiring a seasoned employment law attorney who can assess the circumstances of your situation and, from there, determine whether you may have grounds to file a discrimination claim. If you have any evidence of the discrimination, feel free to share it with your attorney, as it may help your case.
How do I file a discrimination claim in the state of Virginia?
Bear in mind that if you are looking to file a discrimination claim against your employer, you must do within a certain amount of time, known as the statute of limitations. For this reason, you should reach out to a competent attorney as soon after the incident occurs as you can. In the state of Virginia, those looking to file discrimination claims against their employers may be able to file with either with the Virginia Office of Civil Rights or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Our firm can help walk you through the process and fight for the outcome you deserve.
