A former employee of American fast-food giant, In-N-Out Burger has filed a lawsuit seeking damages of at least Rs 25 crore (about $3 million), alleging that he was wrongfully terminated due to racial discrimination basis his natural hair.
Elijah Obeng, a resident of California, began working at an In-N-Out outlet in 2020 after finishing high school. The lawsuit claims that he initially followed the company’s grooming and uniform policies. However, as his natural hair grew longer, management asked him to either cut it or alter it such that it is fully covered by the standard uniform hat.
Obeng tried to comply and in doing so braided his hair. But the management was dissatisfied. The lawsuit states that he was publicly instructed by his supervisors to cut his sideburns—a demand he found demeaning and discriminatory. When he refused, he was treated badly and was even singled out for minor mistakes or even for missing internal meetings, for which other employees allegedly were not penalised.
Obeng is now seeking compensation for emotional distress, lost wages, and damages. The lawsuit cites violations of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act as well as the CROWN Act—a law that prohibits discrimination based on hairstyle and hair texture. The act is designed to protect individuals, particularly Black employees, whose natural hair may not conform to conventional grooming standards.
Obeng argues that his cultural identity and rights were compromised, but In-N-Out has reportedly defended the termination, stating it was due to previous policy violations. The case raises concerns about workplace grooming codes and their impact on racial and cultural expression.
