Rastafarian sues moving company which refused to hire him because of his ... - God Discussion

A Rastafarian with dreadlocks

Christopher Woodson, a man who claims he is the only actively practicing Rastafarian in Waynesboro, Virginia, has been awarded $30,000 in settlement, after a lawsuit he filed against a Botetourt County company that refused to hire him, because he refused to cut his long Rastafarian hair, ended up with a hung jury in August 17.

In June, Christopher Woodson� and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), filed a religious discrimination case in a federal high court against Lawrence Transportation Systems, a company based in Botetourt County which Woodson accused denied him employment because he refused to cut his dreadlocks or trim his beard to conform with the company's grooming policy. Woodson, supported by the EEOC, argued that the company had refused to make "reasonable accommodation" for his hair and beard locks even after he agreed to secure them with head-wraps.

Woodson argued in court that his Rastafarian faith forbids him from cutting his hair. But� Lawrence Transportation, an employee-owned company, described Woodson's suit as "frivolous to the extreme" and complained about heavy-handed government regulations, citing the fact that it cost the company $400,000 fighting and settling Woodson's claim.� The company further argued that its grooming policy was designed to equip the company with an edge in a highly competitive moving industry. Lawrence Transportation said that it rejected Woodson's proposal to secure his hair with head-wraps because his hair would not fit beneath a standard ball cap.

Woodson, who appeared throughout the trial with his hair tucked and tied in a head wrap, said,

I came to court that way to show what could have been done?I would have done everything they wanted me to do [short of cutting my hair].

Christopher Woodson, who lives with his family of five, is a Reggae musician, who sings for a band called Righteous Friendz. He claims that he has been actively practicing his Rastafarian faith since 2004. Woodson says that he had been a Christian and then a Muslim before he converted to Rastafarianism. Woodson explains that he has not cut his hair since 1998 and his beard since 2008 when he converted to Rastafarianism.

Woodson explained that the company's decision not to hire him came from ignorance of his Rastafarian faith, as he had worked for the same company as an independent, for-hire mover. The transportation company admitted that Woodson has an excellent performance record with them.

Woodson now works for another company called the Moving Masters and the president of the company, David Runkle, speaks highly of Woodson,"He's my lead man?He really is stepping up and shouldering responsibilities."

And is Woodson's new boss bothered by his dreadlocks? David Runkle answers, "It didn't bother me because of his experience?"

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEc2kaZpG5cJgBtkxWMYgkTl-Qvxw&url=http://www.goddiscussion.com/77764/rastafarian-sues-moving-company-which-refused-to-hire-him-because-of-his-dreadlocks/

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