Rastafarian Security Guards Suing Grand Central

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC] has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Grand Central Partnership on behalf of four Rastafarian security guards (not pictured) who say they've been unfairly punished for not tucking their dreadlocks under their uniform caps. The lawsuit, which seeks back pay and damages for pain and humiliation, asserts that three of the men were suspended for at least one day, with one plaintiff forced to shave his beard. Rastafarian beliefs prohibit men from cutting their hair, and some of the men have dreads that are several years long. The lawyer for the EEOC tells the Times, "It would be hard to imagine that amount of hair sitting under a baseball cap." A spokesman for the the business improvement district partnership said they were surprised by the lawsuit because they had recently agreed to provide custom-made hats so they could tuck in their dreadlocks.

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By John Del Signore in News on September 18, 2008 9:23 AM

Comments [rss]

fleshtone

I think the choice of picture is fugging hilarious. Ease up, people.

NannyState

Rastafarians shouldn't be discrimminated against. Now Trustafarians...

a_w

Number 9, I was not talking about Rastafarians specifically. Most of the people I know who have dreads are not Rastafarian (I'm not going to get into the argument that they should not be called dreadlocks in those cases here), and use shampoo and conditioner in their hair. I was making the point that people with dreadlocks can get into the shower and wash their hair just like anyone else can, and they're not from Mars or anything.

zodak

are you sure they don't worship the flying spaghetti monster?

whitecastlerock

Give them a random drug test. If they fail, then fire them already. They can find employment elsewhere.

JP Lynch

Yet another instance when someone is crying wolf/racism. This is not racism.

A company should be allowed to have certain guidelines regarding a dress code to ensure that all employees present themselves in a professional manner. I'm quite sure these men were told these guidelines when they were hired.

These clowns should get a job that allows them to wear their hair any way they want to, but no - they'll probably settle out of court for some ridiculous sum.

And that is a awful photo to accompany the story...

turkishjade

Actually, they don't use shampoo or conditioner. Most use plain water and massage in a lot of oils. I wonder if those guards are really Rastafarians or just "wolves" who like to wear dreadlocks and smoke weed.

John Del Signore

Racist? How so?

Rfive

Just like gothamist to run a racist picture for this post to incite racist postings.

Way to go Jon & Jen. Can't wait for more chink postings and guinea images! Bring em!

ides_of_march

"Number 3, You wash them with shampoo and conditioner"

They still look repulsive and dirty. Bound to happen I guess when you have what looks like hairy snakes sticking out of your head.

a_w

Number 3, You wash them with shampoo and conditioner.

What's wrong with you?

MissPinkKate

What a revolting picture to use for a story on this topic.

ides_of_march

How do you wash dreadlocks anyway? Send them to the dry cleaners? Those things look revolting.

If they won't cut their hair, they should get a job more in line with their fashion sense, like reggae musician.

aa77

for real???

that's the picture you came up with for this story?

a frat boy with a rasta wig?

for real?

donner

"Rastafarian beliefs prohibit men from cutting their hair, and some of the men have dreads that are several years long."

If they can't cut it, then wouldn't their hair be as old as they were?