Hair Discrimination can be a form of Racial Harassment, and usually occurs when a performer who is racialized experiences treatment in the hair department that is lesser than that of their white peers in the same performance category.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORK IN A WORKPLACE THAT IS FREE FROM HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION AND VIOLENCE – INCLUDING HAIR DISCRIMINATION.

Examples of hair discrimination in the workplace

  • The Performer was asked by production to do their own hair while other Performers with non-Black/non-textured hair in the same performance category were provided with full hair services on set
  • The hair stylist refused to work on the Performer’s hair, despite providing hair styling services for Performers with non-Black/non-textured hair in the same performance category
  • The Performer was sent home or lost work as a direct result of having Black or textured hair
  • The hair stylist or another crew member made unwelcome comments that showed disrespect or caused humiliation towards the Performer, because of their race, colour, creed, ancestry, place of origin, or ethnic origin
  • The hair stylist damaged or mismanaged the Performer’s hair due to a lack of qualifications and training
  • The hair stylist did not have the appropriate products or tools on hand to service the Performer’s Black or textured hair
  • After advocating for themselves, the Performer was met with harassment, reprisal, or threat of reprisal