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Former In-N-Out Employee Files $3M Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination over Hairstyle
- In May 2024, Elijah Obeng, a 21-year-old Black employee at In-N-Out Burger’s Compton branch, was sent home by his supervisor to remove his sideburns before he could return to his shift.
- Obeng resisted the company's grooming policy requiring employees to wear hats with hair tucked in and men to be clean-shaven, which he alleges disproportionately burdens Black employees and violates California's CROWN Act.
- After refusing to cut his sideburns, Obeng alleges he received harsher criticism, was reprimanded for minor infractions, denied promotion opportunities, and felt publicly humiliated in front of co-workers.
- Obeng filed a wrongful termination lawsuit in Compton Superior Court seeking $3.2 million, claiming discrimination, emotional distress, and retaliation against his cultural hairstyle; In-N-Out says he was fired for prior write-ups and declined further comment due to litigation.
- This case highlights ongoing tensions over workplace grooming policies and California's CROWN Act, suggesting possible legal consequences for employers enforcing hair standards that may impact racial and cultural identity.
12 Articles
12 Articles
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...
Calif. man sues In-N-Out, alleging discrimination over hairstyle
Former In-N-Out employee files $3M lawsuit alleging discrimination over hairstyle
(KTLA) – A former In-N-Out employee has filed a $3 million lawsuit against the chain, alleging that he received discriminatory treatment and was eventually fired due to his hairstyle. Elijah Obeng, a Black man, filed his lawsuit in Compton Superior Court and said he suffered from severe emotional distress, reputational harm and loss of employment. He is accusing In-N-Out of wrongful termination, discrimination based on race, failure to prevent h…
Former In-N-Out employee files $3 million lawsuit, accuses company of alleged discrimination over hairstyle
A former In-N-Out employee has filed a $3 million lawsuit against In-N-Out, alleging that he received discriminatory treatment and was eventually fired due to his hairstyle. Elijah Obeng, a Black man, filed his lawsuit in Compton Superior Court and said he suffered from severe emotional distress, reputational harm and loss of employment. He is accusing In-N-Out of wrongful termination, discrimination based on race, failure to prevent harassment,…
Los Angeles Times
UpstractIn-N-Out former employee files $3-million lawsuit, saying he was fired over his hairstyle
The burger chain's actions has caused the employee 'anxiety, humiliation, and loss of dignity' according to the lawsuit filed by the Compton Superior Court.
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