Rastafarian guards sue over dreads

Rastafarian guards sue over dreads
BY THOMAS ZAMBITO DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, September 17th 2008, 11:39 PM
Rastafarian security guards whose caps couldn't contain their dreadlocks are suing their midtown employer for discrimination - because they were punished for looking sloppy.
A federal lawsuit filed Wednesday claims the four officers, who patrol midtown streets for the Grand Central Partnership, are victims of religious discrimination.
Deon Bailey, Brian Lee, Frantz Seraphin and Milton Marcano were accused of violating the personal appearance policy, which requires employees to show up for work "with their hair properly cut."
Three of them were hit with suspensions of at least one day, the lawsuit claims. Seraphin was forced to shave his beard after being told he would be fired if he didn't, claims the lawsuit, which seeks back pay and other damages for pain and humiliation.
The partnership recently agreed to provide custom-made hats to each of the officers so they could tuck in their dreadlocks, said spokesman David Roskin

A COMMENT----

northstar Sep 18, 2008 7:51:17 AM Report Offensive Post A large part of a security officers job is to represent his/her employer or client to the public in an authoritive and positive manner. Many times if the security officer appear in charge and authorative they can avoid a confrontation. Too much hair, whether it is in the Rastafarian style or just long detracts from that authoritative look. If these men belonged to a religion that required facial tatoo's or facial piercings, would that be protected as well? In the theoretical world maybe it should be however we live in a real world and I think that employer's should have the right to determine how their employees portray the company to the public.

A COMMENT

Angry Black Man Sep 18, 2008 9:42:44 AM Report Offensive Post Northstar - Not too long ago a yamaka might have been considered not "authoratative and positive" sometimes the "real world" has to change