Supermarket chain sued for religious discrimination for requiring employee to cut dreadlocks

What's the story?

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Publix Supermarket chain over its strict employee grooming requirements after an employee at the supermarket's Nashville, Tennessee, location was forced to either quit or cut his dreadlocks. The employee had already been hired but had not yet started work.

The EEOC is seeking injunctive relief, back pay, compensatory and punitive damages.

Why is the EEOC alleging religious discrimination?

The employee is a practicing Rastafarian, a religion in which subscribers use dreadlocks to distinguish themselves from non-Rastas.

What else?

The employee reportedly offered to wear his hair in a hat as a compromise, but management declined his offer.

"Usher told the manager he could not cut his hair because of his religion and asked if he could wear his hair in a hat,” the EEOC said in a statement. “Management refused to allow the hat or any other reasonable accommodation, and he was forced to quit before his first day of work.”

Publix released a statement in response to the lawsuit.

"At Publix, we value and appreciate the diversity of all of our associates. We work to provide environments where known religious beliefs and practices of our associates and applicants are reasonably accommodated," the statement said. "As I'm sure you can understand, it would be inappropriate for us to comment specifically on this case, as it is pending litigation. However, please know that we are dedicated to the employment security of our associates and that we regularly provide accommodations to associates due to their religious beliefs, as required by law.”

Publix has over 1,100 locations in seven states, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.