Starting September 1, 2024, New Hampshire law will prohibit employers of all sizes from discriminating against applicants and employees based on their protective hairstyle. Protective hairstyles are defined as hair type or style, including braids, locs, tight coils or curls, cornrows, Bantu knots, Afros, twists, and head wraps.
Employers that have dress or grooming policies that regulate hairstyles should consider whether those policies are truly necessary for the organization.
Action Item
Update your equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies to include protective hairstyles.