The Employment Law Counselor

Pennsylvania has joined a growing number of states and localities in enacting legislation aimed at eliminating hair-based discrimination; the new law is effective January 24, 2026. Governor Josh Shapiro signed the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair “CROWN” Act into law in November 2025. This law protects individuals from discrimination in the workplace based on natural hair textures and protective hairstyles, such as locs, braids, twists, coils, bantu knots, afros and extensions. The legislation likewise prohibits discrimination related to religious ... Continue Reading

New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits employers from unlawfully discriminating against employees based on, among other things, their race, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, disability, national origin, sex and age. The LAD is also quite broad in its application in comparison to federal protections against discrimination (e.g., the LAD applies to all employers while Title VII of the Civil Rights Act is only applicable to employers with 15 or more employees). On October 5, 2021, Governor Murphy signed legislation providing increased protections for employees 70 years old or older.Continue Reading