In-N-Out Faces Discrimination Suit Over Hairstyle Policy

A former In-N-Out employee is suing the popular fast-food chain, alleging discrimination and wrongful termination due to his natural‍ hairstyle.⁣ Elijah Obeng, a ⁣California native, claims the company’s grooming policy led to emotional distress, reputational damage, and job loss.

Obeng is seeking $3 million in damages, plus $200,000 in lost earnings. The lawsuit centers ‍on In-N-Out’s grooming‍ standards, which require employees to be clean-shaven and keep⁣ their hair under a hat.

According to court documents, Obeng worked at In-N-Out from his high school graduation in ⁤2020 until his firing in 2024.The suit claims that as Obeng’s hair grew longer, he was told to cut it or alter it to comply with⁤ the uniform policy.Obeng then ⁣braided his hair, but management ⁤allegedly insisted he cut his sideburns.

Obeng claims this request was humiliating and ‍discriminatory. He alleges he was⁢ then subjected ⁢to harsher scrutiny, reprimanded for minor infractions, and denied opportunities⁤ for promotion.The suit states that⁤ obeng was eventually sent home to shave his sideburns, which he felt was a public humiliation. ‍He never returned to⁢ work, as shaving his⁢ sideburns was a condition for his return.

A few days later, In-N-Out terminated Obeng,⁣ citing prior write-ups. Though, ⁣Obeng argues that ‍the real reason was discrimination based on his “ancestry, color and race, including his natural hairstyle and hair⁢ texture.”

Obeng and his lawyer contend that In-N-Out violated the‍ CROWN Act,a law in California and 26⁢ othre states that ‍protects employees from race-based hair discrimination. in-N-Out ⁢declined to ⁣comment on the pending litigation. Obeng and his lawyer have not yet responded to requests for comment.