Woman Told to Cut Dreadlocks or Be Fired

On the heels of reports that a Baltimore woman lost her job because of her blonde highlights comes another story about a 24-year-old woman who has been ordered to cut her dreadlocks or be fired. Suggested Reading The Root 100 – 2020 Black History Month – 2022 Hip-Hop 50 Year – 2023 Video will return…

On the heels of reports that a Baltimore woman lost her job because of her blonde highlights comes another story about a 24-year-old woman who has been ordered to cut her dreadlocks or be fired.

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Ashley Davis, of St. Peters, Mo., told Fox 2 St. Louis that a change in policy at the finance company where she works as a secretary now requires her to cut off her dreadlocks. The change comes after she reportedly was sporting the style when she was hired almost two months ago, she said.

"I've only been there for two months, and they came up with a policy. I feel like it's degrading," she said. Davis has been growing the style for 10 years.

Fox 2 St. Louis reports that the change in policy occurred Sept. 21. The policy says, "dreadlocks, braids, mohawks, mullets and other hairstyles are against company guidelines." She has until Friday to change her hair.

The company told Fox in a written statement that it does not comment on ongoing personnel matters.

This is the second time in almost as many days that an African-American woman has stepped forward saying that an employer has complained about her hair. Farryn Johnson of Baltimore said that she was fired from Hooters because of an "improper image" after she put blonde streaks in her hair.

"My dreads I love them and I'm going to keep them. My hair is a part of me and it makes me the professional and bubbly person I am," Davis told Fox.

Read more at Fox 2 St. Louis.

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