New York Bars Religious Job Bias Based on Facial Hair, Clothing

New York now prohibits employment discrimination based on attire, clothing, or facial hair worn as a form of religious observance.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) Aug. 9 signed legislation (S.4037/A.4204) amending the state Human Rights Law to make clear that employers can’t refuse to hire, retain, or promote people—or take other discriminatory action—for following the tenets of their religion in how they dress or groom themselves.

“This law will protect people from discriminatory employment practices based on religious attire or facial hair and makes it crystal clear to anyone who may still have doubts that New York has ...