SCMP Breaking News - Labor & Employment
Year 9, Vol. 9 - July 26, 2024
On July 24, 2024, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia, signed Senate Bill 1282 that created the “Law Against Discrimination Based on Hair Styles”. This new law prohibits discrimination against individuals with naturally curly hair styles, including, but not limited to, tight coils or curls, locs, tight braids, twists, cornrows, bantu knots, and afros.
Specifically, the new law, which went into effect immediately, among other things, amended Law No. 100-1959 regarding employment discrimination to incorporate among the protected classifications protective hairstyles and hair textures that are regularly associated with race and national origin identities. Accordingly, it is now illegal for an employer to suspend, refuse to employ, terminate, or otherwise affect an individual for having the types of hairstyles and/or hair textures mentioned above.
Also, the new law amended Law No. 90-2020 regarding workplace harassment to include, among the forms of harassment based on physical appearance, public teasing about protective hairstyles and hair textures that are regularly associated with particular races and national origin identities.
It is important to highlight that the new law applies to public and private employees as well as to participants (students) of the public and private school system. Regarding schools, the new law requires that every private educational institution must adopt or modify its regulations to comply with the precepts of the law.
What should employers do?
Amend and/or modify your manuals, regulations, and policies to comply with the new law. Private schools and educational institutions must modify their regulations to comply with the law.
Train management and other supervisory personnel regarding the new law and its implications, to ensure compliance with the Law.
Should you require further advice or assistance in relation to this matter, please contact us at (787) 945-0380.
Because of the general nature of this newsletter, nothing herein should be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion. SCMP Breaking News and all its content is property of Silva-Cofresí, Manzano & Padró, LLC
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