A former In-N-Out Burger employee says he was fired simply for wearing his natural hair—and now, he is suing the company for over $3 million in damages. Elijah Obeng, a young Black man who once worked at the Compton location, is calling the firing a clear case of racial discrimination and wrongful termination.
In a lawsuit filed in Compton Superior Court, Obeng says he faced repeated harassment and retaliation, all because of the way he wore his hair. The case is already drawing public attention, especially from people concerned about how companies treat natural Black hairstyles in the workplace.
Why did the In-N-Out employee get fired?
According to the lawsuit, Elijah Obeng started working at In-N-Out after graduating high school. He says he followed the company’s uniform rules and tied his hair back under a hat, as required. But the trouble started because of his braided sideburns and natural afro texture.
Supervisors repeatedly asked Obeng to shave off his sideburns. He saw this as demeaning and discriminatory. The hairstyle, Obeng says, was an important part of his cultural identity.
After refusing to shave the sideburns, things reportedly got worse. Obeng says his work environment became hostile, and he began facing harsher treatment than others.
Was the firing based on race or appearance?
The lawsuit claims that Obeng’s hairstyle was the main reason for his firing. His attorneys argue this violates the CROWN Act, a law passed in California to protect employees from discrimination based on hair texture or styles tied to race.
Obeng says he was disciplined more harshly than other workers for small mistakes. He was denied promotions and sent home in front of coworkers on May 25, 2024, after again refusing to shave his sideburns. Shortly afterward, he was terminated.
In the lawsuit, Obeng’s legal team states, “Obeng’s termination was motivated by his ancestry, color, and race, including his natural hairstyle and the texture of his hair.”
What is the CROWN Act and why does it matter?
The CROWN Act, which stands for Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair, was passed in California in 2019 and has since been adopted in over 25 other states. It protects Black Americans from being discriminated against for hairstyles like:
- Braids
- Dreadlocks
- Afros
- Twists
- Other styles tied to natural hair textures
These protections mean that companies cannot fire or punish someone simply for wearing their hair in a natural or cultural style.
How much is Elijah Obeng seeking in damages?
Obeng is suing In-N-Out for $3 million in damages plus $200,000 for lost wages. His lawsuit argues that he was not only wrongfully fired, but also emotionally and financially harmed by the way he was treated.
- The $3 million covers the emotional distress, discrimination, and damage to his career.
- The $200,000 reflects the income he lost and what he could have earned had he been promoted or allowed to keep working.
So far, neither Obeng nor his attorneys have spoken to the media. In-N-Out has also declined to comment, saying it does not make public statements about ongoing lawsuits.
What does this mean for other employees?
This lawsuit is already sparking conversation across social media and in legal circles. Many see it as a powerful reminder that workplace discrimination can still happen in subtle ways—including through rules about hair. For now, the case will move through the court system, but the outcome could influence how businesses across California—and the country—handle natural hair in the workplace.
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