Business

EEOC: UPS Discriminates with Bans on Beards, Long Hair

Published

10 years ago

July 16, 2015

Reporter II

(David Goldman/AP)

Tom Hays, ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK (AP) — A Muslim man who objected to rules requiring him to get rid of his beard if he wanted to become a driver for UPS Inc. was told by a UPS official that “God would understand” if he shaved, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday against the shipping company.

The lawsuit in federal court in Brooklyn alleges that the man was one of several employees who were victims of religious discrimination in the past decade by the nation’s largest package delivery company. The EEOC wants the court to force the company to comply with Civil Rights Act protections and to award the plaintiffs back pay and unspecified damages.

“No person should be forced to choose between their religion and a paycheck, and EEOC will seek to put an end to that longstanding practice at UPS,” said Robert D. Rose, an attorney for agency’s New York office.

UPS spokesman Steve Gaut said in a statement Wednesday that the Atlanta-based company has protocols in place for employees to seek permission for religious accommodations when it comes to appearance or work schedules.

The company “respects religious differences and is confident in the legality of its employment practices,” Gaut said. “UPS is proud of the diversity of its workforce.”

According to the suit, UPS has policies that prohibit supervisors and any employees who interact with customers from wearing facial hair below the lip or growing hair below the collar. It accused the company of deliberately withholding information from applicants and existing back-facility employees about how to seek exceptions to the policies, or by delaying their requests for waivers for so long that they gave up.

The alleged victims weren’t only Muslims: The suit says Rastafarian workers with dreadlocks in Florida and elsewhere were denied supervisory positions based on their beliefs and segregated into the back of facilities to be sorters. In one case, it says, a manager ignored a request for a religious exception by a worker trying for a promotion, telling him he “didn’t want any employees looking like women on his management team.”

A Native American applicant who applied for a position in Stockton, California, tried to explain that he wore his hair long as part of his religious observance and offered to hide it under his shirt or in a hair net, the suit says. The alleged response: “No haircut, no job.”
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

1 week ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.