Former in-n-out workers sues for $3 million after natural hair finish
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Former African American in-n-out employee Court documents say he is suing the company for discrimination and firing of his natural hair.
According to court documents, former employee Elijah Oben; Originally from Californiahe claims that he was discriminated against for his natural hair and texture and ended.
In the lawsuit, Obeng alleges that he suffered from mental distress, reputational damage and job loss.
Obeng is seeking $3 million in damages and $200,000 in profits he would have made during his firing period and subsequent periods.
The In-N-Out Burger chain cited the crime issue with closing its Oakland location earlier this year. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times Getty Images / Getty Images)
in-n-out declined to comment Fox Business Because they have not commented on the ongoing lawsuit.
Obeng and his attorneys have yet to respond to the initial request for comment from Fox Business.
According to court documents, Obeng worked on the West Coast Fast Food Burger Chain From his high school graduation in 2020 to his dismissal in 2024.
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According to court documents, Obeng worked for a fast food burger chain on the West Coast from high school graduation in 2024 until the end of 2024. Oben claims he has begun receiving a variety of treatments, including being rebeled for minors. (Spencer Weiner-Pool / Getty Images / Getty Images)
According to Court documentsObeng went to work with his natural hair following In-N-Out’s grooming and unified policy guidelines.
That policy is defined in court documents as being kept under clean shaving and hair.
As Obeng’s hair grew longer, he was instructed to cut or change it and follow a uniform policy.
According to court documents, Obeng braided his hair to follow guidelines, but management told him that his shaking, which was part of the hair, would have to be cut.
According to court documents, Obeng went to work with his natural hair following In-N-Out’s grooming and unified policy guidelines. That policy is defined in court documents as being kept under clean shaving and hair. (Photo: Paul Bersebach/Medianews Group/Orange County Register by Getty Images/Getty Images)
According to court documents, Obeng allegedly found a humiliating and discriminatory request.
Obeng claims that while the other employees had not received the same, he began receiving various treatments, including being re-evaluated for minor violations.
He also claimed he had been scrutinized more closely, denied opportunities for promotion or career advancement.
If it’s close to May 25, 2025, court documents show Obeng was sent home to shave his owner and publicly humiliated after being disciplined in front of other employees.
Obeng never returned to In-Out as the return requirement was to shave his master.
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Oben was fired a few days later for what the company claimed to be from a previous article, but Oben argues that it was because of his “color, colour and race, including his natural hairstyle and hair texture,” the court said.
Obeng and his lawyers argue that In-N-Out is opposed to the Crown Act, protecting employees from racially-based hair discrimination.
The Crown Act is the official law of 27 states, including California.
Nick Butler is a reporter for Fox Business. Any hints? I’ll reach out to nick.butler@fox.com.