Meaning ❉ Workplace Hair Bias refers to the subtle or overt differential treatment experienced by individuals, particularly those with Black or mixed-race textured hair, within professional settings due to their hair’s natural appearance or styling choices. This often arises from a limited understanding of textured hair’s unique structure, its historical significance, and the systematic care it requires. It can subtly prompt adjustments to established hair care routines, moving away from optimal health practices for coily or kinky textures towards styles perceived as more ‘professional’ by prevailing, often Eurocentric, standards. The practical application of this bias often presents as unacknowledged pressure to conform, potentially limiting an individual’s styling autonomy and influencing perceptions of competence, despite their actual capabilities. This perception challenges the inherent beauty and cultural grounding of diverse hair forms, gently guiding individuals away from their natural presentation.
