New laws prohibit workplaces dress codes that discriminate based on race, religion

Effective July 2019, new legislation amended the definition of race under the NYS Human Rights Law to include “traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles.” Ama Karikari-Yawson, a Freeport-based attorney, author and diversity trainer and founder of Milestales Publishing and Training and Development, thinks the legislation should also include protections for people who wear headwear for cultural reasons, in addition to religious reasons. Credit: Corey Sipkin