Publix, EEOC Headed to Trial Over Rastafarian’s Dreadlock Needs

A jury must decide whether Publix Super Markets Inc. told a Rastafarian job seeker he would need to cut off his dreadlocks to work in a Nashville store, the Middle District of Tennessee ruled, citing taped phone conversations.

A trial is also needed to determine whether Guy Usher’s refusal to cut his hair manifests a sincere religious belief protected under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the court said Thursday. And whether Usher informed Publix of the conflict between his religion and its work rule forbidding male employees to wear hair reaching their shirt collar is another issue ...