A transportation company facing a workplace discrimination lawsuit said Thursday that a dreadlocked Rastafarian was passed over for hiring based on grooming policies, not the man’s religion.The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit Tuesday on behalf of Christopher Woodson, who claimed he was denied a loader job at the Waynesboro facility of Lawrence Transportation Systems in May 2008 because he would not cut his hair.
Rastafarians view growing their hair unbridled as a tenet of their religion.
In a written statement provided by the company’s attorney, Lawrence Transportation said the moving business puts employees in close contact with customers.
“Our policy states that hair, facial hair, beards and general grooming must be neat, clean and trimmed,” the company wrote. “His hair was down to the middle of his back and he was asked to get it cut to about shirt collar length.”
Lawrence Transportation argued loss of business would be an “undue hardship.”
“Our decision was based on business necessity and was in no way based on anyone’s religion or any discriminatory action,” the company wrote.
The employment commission lawsuit cites the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which requires employers to make “reasonable accommodations” to religious beliefs. The suit seeks back pay, punitive damages and an order for Lawrence Transportation to change its policies.
The Roanoke-based company employs 276 people, according to the EEOC.
