A former employee of In-N-Out has filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging discrimination related to his natural hair. The plaintiff, Elijah Obeng, claims he was dismissed because of his hair’s texture and style, which led him to experience mental distress and damage to his reputation.
Obeng, who is from California, is seeking $3 million in damages, along with $200,000 representing the profits he would have earned during his unemployment and afterwards.
In-N-Out has opted not to comment on the lawsuit, which remains ongoing. So far, there has been no response from Obeng or his legal team regarding inquiries from the media.
The court documents indicate that Obeng worked at the West Coast fast-food chain from when he graduated high school in 2020 until his termination in 2024. He arrived at work with natural hair, believing it met the company’s grooming policy, which stipulates adherence to cleanliness and uniformity in hair and shaving.
However, he was later told that as his hair grew longer, he needed to cut or alter it to comply with the uniform policy. Despite attempting to braid his hair in accordance with guidelines, management requested he trim the parts that “shook,” a demand he found humiliating and discriminatory.
Obeng contends that he was treated differently compared to his colleagues, experiencing heightened scrutiny and being evaluated for minor infractions more frequently. He claims he was also overlooked for promotions and other career opportunities.
In a particularly distressing incident near May 25, 2025, Obeng was sent home after being ordered to shave his hair, an act that publicly embarrassed him in front of coworkers. Following this incident, he never returned to work, as the company requirement was for him to cut his hair.
Just a few days later, he was terminated, with his firing attributed to claims made in a prior article. However, he asserts that it was due to factors related to his race and natural hairstyle.
Obeng and his attorneys argue that In-N-Out’s actions violate the Crown Act, a law in place in California and 26 other states designed to protect employees from discrimination based on hair texture and style.
