*Elijah Obeng, a Black former employee of In-N-Out, has initiated a $3 million lawsuit against the fast-food chain, alleging racial discrimination and wrongful termination tied to his hairstyle.
As KTLA reports, Obeng filed the lawsuit in Compton Superior Court, claiming he endured severe emotional distress and job loss due to the company’s discriminatory practices. The case centers on In-N-Out’s dress code, which mandates that employees wear company-issued hats with their hair fully tucked inside and that men remain clean-shaven. As Obeng’s hair grew, management instructed him to cut or modify it to fit under the hat. To comply, he braided his hair, but was further told to remove his sideburns, which he described as “humiliating and discriminatory.”
Obeng alleges this led to unfair treatment, including harsher scrutiny of his work, reprimands for minor issues, and blocked opportunities for advancement. On or about May 25, 2024, Obeng’s supervisor sent him home, ordering him to shave and return, despite Obeng having no facial hair beyond his natural sideburns.
The public nature of this exchange, witnessed by coworkers, left him feeling “publicly humiliated.” Days later, In-N-Out terminated him, citing prior write-ups, though Obeng asserts his dismissal stemmed from his “natural hair and resistance to discriminatory policies.”
The lawsuit accuses In-N-Out of violating California’s CROWN Act, which prohibits workplace discrimination based on natural hairstyles and textures. Obeng’s claims include wrongful termination, racial discrimination, harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and failure to prevent harassment or retaliation.
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The case highlights broader issues of workplace equity, particularly for Black employees whose natural hair may not align with traditional corporate grooming standards. Obeng seeks $3 million for the emotional and professional toll of the alleged discrimination, spotlighting the need for inclusive workplace policies.
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