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Salon Accused of Bias Will Be Taught to Style Black Hair Salon Accused of Bias Will Be Taught to Style Black Hair
(about 8 hours later)
A luxury Upper East Side hair salon accused of telling black workers that Afros and box braids did not fit the area’s upscale image will train employees to work with black hair and help advance the careers of stylists who are not white, city officials said Tuesday.A luxury Upper East Side hair salon accused of telling black workers that Afros and box braids did not fit the area’s upscale image will train employees to work with black hair and help advance the careers of stylists who are not white, city officials said Tuesday.
The salon, Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger, agreed to the measures as part of a settlement with New York City’s Human Rights Commission that grew out of an investigation prompted by former employees’ complaints about hair-based racial bias.The salon, Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger, agreed to the measures as part of a settlement with New York City’s Human Rights Commission that grew out of an investigation prompted by former employees’ complaints about hair-based racial bias.
The settlement, which also calls for the salon to pay a $70,000 fine, was the first to be reached since the commission’s February release of legal guidelines recognizing discrimination on the basis of hairstyle as racial discrimination.The settlement, which also calls for the salon to pay a $70,000 fine, was the first to be reached since the commission’s February release of legal guidelines recognizing discrimination on the basis of hairstyle as racial discrimination.
“This resolution is another step toward ensuring that racist notions of professional appearance standards are not applied in New York City,” Carmelyn P. Malalis, the commission’s chairwoman, said in a statement.“This resolution is another step toward ensuring that racist notions of professional appearance standards are not applied in New York City,” Carmelyn P. Malalis, the commission’s chairwoman, said in a statement.
The settlement calls for the salon to team up with a New York City styling school with expertise in the care and styling of black hair for two purposes: to instruct and inform current employees and to start an internship program specifically for stylists from underrepresented groups.The settlement calls for the salon to team up with a New York City styling school with expertise in the care and styling of black hair for two purposes: to instruct and inform current employees and to start an internship program specifically for stylists from underrepresented groups.
In addition, the commission said, Sharon Dorram, a colorist, and Tim Lehman, a senior stylist, must complete 35 hours of community service with a racial justice group “that works to combat hair discrimination and promote black beauty.”In addition, the commission said, Sharon Dorram, a colorist, and Tim Lehman, a senior stylist, must complete 35 hours of community service with a racial justice group “that works to combat hair discrimination and promote black beauty.”
Sally Hershberger did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent via her publicist. Ms. Dorram and Mr. Lehman could not immediately be reached. Steve Tuttleman, whom the commission identified as an owner of the salon with Ms. Hershberger and Ms. Dorram, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ms. Hershberger said in a statement that she “had no involvement in the allegations” at issue in the settlement; was “100 percent against racial discrimination”; and favored “a diverse work environment full of authenticity, integrity and individuality.”
She added: “I am taking all measures to ensure that my views are fully reflected at all of my salons.”
Ms. Dorram said through a spokeswoman that she “was extremely sorry that her actions have caused any person to feel uncomfortable in her salon.” She added that her policy now was that all employees were “free to wear their hair in any way that they choose and may freely express their unique styles.”
Mr. Lehman could not be reached for comment. Steve Tuttleman, whom the commission identified as an owner of the salon with Ms. Hershberger and Ms. Dorram, did not respond to a request for comment.
The salon, which occupies the top two floors of a townhouse on East 71st Street, is a favorite of celebrities like Meg Ryan and Kate Hudson. Ms. Hershberger is known for her $1,000 haircuts and “24K” hair products in gold-trimmed black packaging. Her clients have included Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton. Ms. Dorram has worked for Christie Brinkley and Renée Zellweger.The salon, which occupies the top two floors of a townhouse on East 71st Street, is a favorite of celebrities like Meg Ryan and Kate Hudson. Ms. Hershberger is known for her $1,000 haircuts and “24K” hair products in gold-trimmed black packaging. Her clients have included Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton. Ms. Dorram has worked for Christie Brinkley and Renée Zellweger.
Ms. Hershberger also operates salons in New York at Barneys on Madison Avenue, on West 26th Street and at the Hudson Yards complex, and in West Hollywood, Calif. The settlement reached with the commission applies to all of Ms. Hershberger’s New York outlets.Ms. Hershberger also operates salons in New York at Barneys on Madison Avenue, on West 26th Street and at the Hudson Yards complex, and in West Hollywood, Calif. The settlement reached with the commission applies to all of Ms. Hershberger’s New York outlets.
Ms. Hershberger’s Upper East Side salon was among several businesses to be investigated by the commission after employees complained about being discriminated against because of their hair. The investigations led the commission to adopt the new guidelines. A commission spokeswoman said that several businesses remain under investigation.Ms. Hershberger’s Upper East Side salon was among several businesses to be investigated by the commission after employees complained about being discriminated against because of their hair. The investigations led the commission to adopt the new guidelines. A commission spokeswoman said that several businesses remain under investigation.
In the case of the salon, four former workers filed complaints from 2016 to 2018. The first was from a former general manager who was white and said he was sickened by having to enforce a dress code and hair policy that was applied more strictly to black workers than white ones.In the case of the salon, four former workers filed complaints from 2016 to 2018. The first was from a former general manager who was white and said he was sickened by having to enforce a dress code and hair policy that was applied more strictly to black workers than white ones.
Interviewed for an earlier New York Times article, the former manager, David Speer, said that Ms. Dorram pushed for the dress code only after he hired three black women — Taren Guy, Raelene Roberts and Regine Aubourg — as receptionists.Interviewed for an earlier New York Times article, the former manager, David Speer, said that Ms. Dorram pushed for the dress code only after he hired three black women — Taren Guy, Raelene Roberts and Regine Aubourg — as receptionists.
In a text message written by Ms. Dorram, one of several Mr. Speer shared with The Times, she criticized the receptionists’ appearance.In a text message written by Ms. Dorram, one of several Mr. Speer shared with The Times, she criticized the receptionists’ appearance.
“Today looked awful,” she wrote, saying that Ms. Roberts “had her dreads down” and that Ms. Aubourg “just got hers to match as long.” Ms. Dorram added: “All 3 at desk and we look like we should be on E. 134th Street.” (Ms. Dorram said in February that the hair policy was not racially motivated and that her text messages had been mischaracterized.)“Today looked awful,” she wrote, saying that Ms. Roberts “had her dreads down” and that Ms. Aubourg “just got hers to match as long.” Ms. Dorram added: “All 3 at desk and we look like we should be on E. 134th Street.” (Ms. Dorram said in February that the hair policy was not racially motivated and that her text messages had been mischaracterized.)
Believed to be the first of their kind in the United States, the city’s guidelines prohibit the targeting of people based on their hairstyle at work and school and in public places. They specifically cite the right to maintain “natural hair, treated or untreated hairstyles such as locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, fades, Afros, and/or the right to keep hair in an uncut or untrimmed state.”Believed to be the first of their kind in the United States, the city’s guidelines prohibit the targeting of people based on their hairstyle at work and school and in public places. They specifically cite the right to maintain “natural hair, treated or untreated hairstyles such as locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, fades, Afros, and/or the right to keep hair in an uncut or untrimmed state.”
Since New York City introduced the rules, New York State, New Jersey, California and Montgomery County, Md., have adopted similar measures.Since New York City introduced the rules, New York State, New Jersey, California and Montgomery County, Md., have adopted similar measures.
There is no legal precedent in federal court for protection against hair-based racial discrimination. In 2018, the Supreme Court declined to consider a case brought by a black woman who had a job offer from an insurance company rescinded after she would not cut off her dreadlocks.There is no legal precedent in federal court for protection against hair-based racial discrimination. In 2018, the Supreme Court declined to consider a case brought by a black woman who had a job offer from an insurance company rescinded after she would not cut off her dreadlocks.
Last month, a Queens woman invoked the city and state guidelines in a lawsuit brought against Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy of Jamaica, Queens.Last month, a Queens woman invoked the city and state guidelines in a lawsuit brought against Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy of Jamaica, Queens.
In the suit, filed in State Supreme Court in Queens, the woman, Lavona Batts, accused the school of discriminating against her son, who is black and was starting his first year there, by saying he could not wear his hair in braids.In the suit, filed in State Supreme Court in Queens, the woman, Lavona Batts, accused the school of discriminating against her son, who is black and was starting his first year there, by saying he could not wear his hair in braids.
The boy, a third grader, was “very proud of his hair,” Ms. Batts said in the suit. “He considers his hair to be an important part of his identity and he has no intentions of changing his hairstyle.”The boy, a third grader, was “very proud of his hair,” Ms. Batts said in the suit. “He considers his hair to be an important part of his identity and he has no intentions of changing his hairstyle.”
Jack Begg contributed research.Jack Begg contributed research.