NEW YORK – The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued a midtown Manhattan business improvement district, saying four of its public safety officers are being discriminated against because of their dreadlocks.
The federal agency's lawsuit against the Grand Central Partnership was filed Wednesday in federal court. The nonprofit partnership provides services including public safety, sanitation and business support around Grand Central Terminal.
The workers say they've been scolded for failing to keep uniform caps covering their dreadlocks, which conform with their Rastafarian beliefs.
The Grand Central Partnership says it accommodates the religious practices of all its employees and even furnished larger caps for use by the employees in the lawsuit. It says it believes the lawsuit is without merit.
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