Compton Man Files $3 Million Lawsuit Against In-N-Out Burger Over Hairstyle Discrimination

A 21-year-old Compton resident has filed a $3 million lawsuit against In-N-Out Burger, alleging he was discriminated against and ultimately fired from the fast-food chain’s Compton location because of his hairstyle and cultural identity.

Elijah Obeng filed the lawsuit Thursday in Compton Superior Court, accusing the company of wrongful termination, race discrimination, harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and failure to prevent harassment, discrimination, or retaliation.

Obeng, who is Black, began working at the Compton In-N-Out restaurant after graduating from high school. According to the lawsuit, management frequently told him he was not compliant with the employee dress code, which requires workers to wear hats with their hair tucked underneath.

As his hair grew longer, Obeng began braiding it to comply with company policy. However, supervisors continued to insist he remove his sideburns, which he considers part of his cultural identity. The lawsuit states that Obeng found these orders “humiliating and biased.”

After Obeng decided to resist the hair policy, the lawsuit alleges he began receiving disparate treatment. This included being disciplined for infractions that were overlooked when committed by other employees, increased scrutiny of his work, and denial of promotion opportunities.

The situation escalated on May 25, 2024, when Obeng’s supervisor sent him home to remove his sideburns in front of his co-workers, which the plaintiff describes as deeply humiliating. Rather than comply with what he believed was a discriminatory directive, Obeng told his boss he would return for his next scheduled shift.

A few days later, Obeng was fired. While management cited past write-ups as the reason for termination, Obeng believes he was actually fired for resisting what he alleges were discriminatory orders regarding his appearance.

The case highlights ongoing tensions around workplace dress codes and their impact on employees’ cultural and racial identities, particularly in communities like Compton where diverse hairstyles are an important part of cultural expression.

In-N-Out Burger, a California-based chain known for its strict employee standards and family-friendly image, has not yet responded to requests for comment about the lawsuit.

For many young workers in Compton and surrounding communities, fast-food jobs provide crucial first employment opportunities. This lawsuit raises questions about whether workplace policies adequately respect the cultural identities of employees in diverse communities.

This story draws on reporting by Helen Jeong and City News Service.